JEEPNEYS - 1999
A few images of jeepneys from my first Philippine trip two decades ago.
If I had a Peso for every time I've said that "I wish I took more photos" I would likely have enough saved to buy the Taal Volcano and turn it into a tourist fun park.
This is particularly so of my first trip to the Philippines back in 1999.
This initial trip saw me there for only one week, thus severely limiting the amount of time I had available for such wonderful things as trains, buses and, of course, the iconic jeepney.
Gradually, as I continue on my journey of photo cataloguing, a few of these photos spew forth from the boxes that they have been confined within for many years.
Because there really is buggar all else I can do with the following jeepney shots, I thought I may just as well inflict them upon the world via my blogsite.
Nooooo, don't mention it. I am more than happy to help.
Maybe I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I never quite scored any jeepneys that were up there with some of the stunners that ply some Manila streets today.
The bulk of my first jeepney experience was around Ermita as we decided to stay in the Mabini Mansion.
Actually, we had booked in the nearby San Carlos Mansion, as it had been recommended by a friend. Now, I am not a fussy person with accommodation, heck, I even regularly stay at the Go Hotel and, that significantly naughty feeling, SoGo chain. But, as a minimum, I do like my hotel doors to be on their hinges and the walls free of cockroach infestations.
So we moved to the Mabini Mansion, just one street over, and it was my preferred accommodation for a number of subsequent visits.
Oh, guess I may as well mention that I have been told that San Carlos has upgraded since that horrific visit. So it may be worth trying out should you find yourself in Ermita. However, I can very much recommend Mabini as a great home away from home.
Actually, we had booked in the nearby San Carlos Mansion, as it had been recommended by a friend. Now, I am not a fussy person with accommodation, heck, I even regularly stay at the Go Hotel and, that significantly naughty feeling, SoGo chain. But, as a minimum, I do like my hotel doors to be on their hinges and the walls free of cockroach infestations.
So we moved to the Mabini Mansion, just one street over, and it was my preferred accommodation for a number of subsequent visits.
Oh, guess I may as well mention that I have been told that San Carlos has upgraded since that horrific visit. So it may be worth trying out should you find yourself in Ermita. However, I can very much recommend Mabini as a great home away from home.
Anyway, I am bollocking on a bit again.
The above shot was taken on Abenida Maria Orosa street, with Rizal Park on the right and Luneta Park just out of view to the left.
Most of the buildings in the background are still there, although that Aiwa sign. While researching the location of this photo, I looked into the Aiwa brand as it was one that my grandparents swore by for year. Many may be surprised, as I was, that the name actually continues to survive.
Most of the buildings in the background are still there, although that Aiwa sign. While researching the location of this photo, I looked into the Aiwa brand as it was one that my grandparents swore by for year. Many may be surprised, as I was, that the name actually continues to survive.
Took a while, but finally located this spot on Googly Earth.
'People's Park In The Sky' is a Taal Volcano viewing location down in Tagaytay.
Quite exciting for me, being the first time I had laid eyes on a real volcano (that novelty now worn off).
What did fascinate me was the half built hotel there which, if I call recall correctly, was a project of the Marcos era that was never completed. Google Streetscape shows it to still be there and mostly used for a mass of antennas.
Location photo in 2019.
'People's Park In The Sky' is a Taal Volcano viewing location down in Tagaytay.
Quite exciting for me, being the first time I had laid eyes on a real volcano (that novelty now worn off).
What did fascinate me was the half built hotel there which, if I call recall correctly, was a project of the Marcos era that was never completed. Google Streetscape shows it to still be there and mostly used for a mass of antennas.
Location photo in 2019.
Not much to rabbit on about with this shot.
I suspect it was taken on Mabini Street, but could well have been any street between Mabini Mansion and either Robinsons Mall or Harrison Plaza.
Oh, did I mention that there was a great specialised bottle shop (alcohol)
I suspect it was taken on Mabini Street, but could well have been any street between Mabini Mansion and either Robinsons Mall or Harrison Plaza.
Oh, did I mention that there was a great specialised bottle shop (alcohol)
on Mabini Street.
Probably means little to most, but I collect Tanduay bottles and they used to have an interesting range of harder to get ones. Alas, it now appears to have gone.
Specialized alcohol shops seem a complete rarity in Manila, everything being mostly small additions to all the big supermarkets. Hardly any of them go to any great length to obtain a good range of the harder to get Tanduay product.
Gaisano Mall in Roxas City being a welcome exception.
Specialized alcohol shops seem a complete rarity in Manila, everything being mostly small additions to all the big supermarkets. Hardly any of them go to any great length to obtain a good range of the harder to get Tanduay product.
Gaisano Mall in Roxas City being a welcome exception.
No idea where I was when I took this one.
So just enjoy the jeepney.
So just enjoy the jeepney.
Hope you enjoyed that riveting jeepney
photograph banquet.
Interested in Philippine jeepneys?
Check out of groups.
Philippine Jeepney
