The fort encompasses much more area than I had thought. We've been within the walls of the old fort before but haven't come to the gate here.

If you are a history buff, you'd find this place enjoyable. Much of it has been restored and there are some very nice things to look at here.

This is the view from beside the chapel. It's interesting to me to imagine what life was like being around these buildings long ago.

Now days the cannons are mostly aimed at the golfers that play all around the fort.

Here are some cannon projectiles at one of the displays.

That huge concrete ball seems too big to fly out of a cannon. There was no documentation explaining what each of the items were.

Those other metal projectiles are pretty effing large too. Maybe someone that knows more about old weapons can give us some more info on them.

Jose Rizal is one of the Philippine's national heros and he was inprisoned here at the fort.

His footsteps are marked with brass markers to his execution spot at Luneta Park.

It's still not clear why he was held in this building directly before the execution but this is where the steps start.

Even while in jail he's shown with his jacket on. Not a tall man to be sure but what an intellect. Very impressive fellow.

This is a guard post near the Pasig river. It still looks good for being, what, 400 years old?

This is one of the exhibits that wasn't terribly well done. You can see a representation of Rizal as you look through the corridor but the lighting there is very low.




This second clip is a bit choppy at the end. The guard is telling me that I can't take photos in the Rizal Shrine. He's telling me that I can't take photos at the same time that there are no less than 3 other people taking pictures.

There is a difference between no flash photography and no pictures. It's a bit annoying. One guard tells you no pictures and then another steps in and tells the first guard that pictures are indeed allowed but without flash.

This must be some type of comedy routine because it's happened a few times before.

I don't know anything about this guy except that his cart is being pulled by a very small horse and he's not too happy about having his photo taken.

These clips are from the chapel. There are a lot more clips but this connection is so slow that uploading them in a PITA. I have a few decent clips of the dungeon and looking out into the Pasig river.

Ahh..Intramuros. We spent most of one of our free days down there.

And yes, I still live. Life has been busy though, between selling our current house, building the new one, and work. By the time we move in in a few weeks, I'll want to get away from the new house. :)

Anyways, let me see if I've got some Intramuros photos to go along with yours...

Alright, I've got a few:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0081.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0083.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0085.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0090.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0095.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0100.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0105.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0114.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0121.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0126.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0129.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0159.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0161.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...a/IMG_0185.jpg

One of the things I found interesting about Intramuros is how similar it is to Fort San Cristóbal in Puerto Rico. Not surprising, really, since they were both built by the Spanish, but it's fascinating seeing identical architecture on opposite sides of the world. It really gives you a sense of how far the colonial worlds spread...

I've been drinking El Kapitan gin for a few hours now and do not have the ability to post something good right now.

I've got many more clips of the dungeons of the fort as well as clips off the balcany across the Pasig river.

There is a new display added to the cannon projectile area since you have been here.

It's a display of the likenesses of all the presidents. Many are not good but are still on display.

After I sober up a bit I'll make sincere efforts to add more quality images.

Thanks for your pics. The quality appears to be better than mine. If you have time please add more if you can.




The Philippines: it's not just about the women, it's about the women AND the cheap booze. : )

Over and out.

@SparkStalker, what are the balls on the trees? Lights? Insect traps?