@Ksuter
Philippines 2019
Apr 25 - May 05 2019
@Ksuter
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Apr 25 2019

April 27/28 2019

After a few weeks of prep work we are all set for trip #12 to the Philippines. Suitcases packed and weighed and repacked and weighed and repacked and weighed again.

Welll almost on our way. The 12 th annual trip is getting started with the annual frenzied pack. Dishes are washed. Pizza dinner ordered and almost done weighing luggage for the 35th time. Finally the taxi is almost here to get us to the airport so we start moving the cases out to the hallway and to the elevator.

Our cab driver is pleasant even if the cab is a bit rickety. At the airport our biggest concern is the carryon weight so we transferred what we can from out bags to our pockets. My pants were staining to fall down. No worries though. We were slightly overweight but they had no concerns.

We headed to security which had been renovated since we were last there. It was quick too so we headed for the gate where we sat and organized and had a bite to eat. As. as we were packing up to get in line Allan noticed that he didn’t have his macbook air and brand new MacBook Pro.

He left them in security!! Off he runs the mile to security to get them and sure enough and proving they were his he got them back and started running back as we were already boarding and returns just as I was going into the plane.

Hi We boarded and found our seats. Once in the air we brought the flight attendants their gift and they were very appreciative. They brought us a sleep set and were very nice to us over the 14 hours in the air. The Taipei airport is quiet nice though then starbucks and Burger King are gone replaced with a Illy. and a McD’s.

We headed to our gate and after a short wait we were on the second leg of our journey

Getting packed

Packed and ready to go

It’s in the cab

On our way to the airport

Nap time

Can selfie

Waiting to check in

Before losing laptop

Flight attendant gifts

Boarded

@Ksuter
1
Manila
Apr 28 2019

We got to our gate and waited in line and finally boarded. Short flight this time; just two hours from Manila. A good meal and we were landing.

A quick walk to immigration and we were allowed in the country. Luggage belts and a walk outside where it was already 37c. (92f) Allan’s brother in law came and pick us up to come to our hotel for the night.

The drive is always fun. This time we saw street vendors selling trees car to car

We had originally booked a flight later today but were told a few weeks ago that it was cancelled and we were rebooked to tomorrow Morning, meaning an extra nights hotel stay. Time to relax though

We got situated and took a little nap and then headed to the Mall of Asia – a huge mall – to get dinner and SIM cards for our phones

Then back to the hotel to pass our for an early flight

@Ksuter
2
Manila
Apr 29 2019

We arrived in the Philippines about 10:30 am and disembarked from the plane. We headed down the hallways to the long immigration line.

We waited for about 30 minutes until it was our turn, and then once we were allowed into the country officially we grabbed our luggage and then headed out to where Alvin was waiting for us.

We had hoped to fly on to Kalibo later same day, but a few weeks ago PAL notified us that the flight was cancelled and we had to rebook the next day, and that included an overnight hotel stay too. \240 Luckily there is a new Holiday Inn Express near the airport. \240We stayed there last year too when it was in the middle of renovations and it truly was a budget hotel experience.

This year renovations were mostly done, and while the rooms were very small, they were clean, modern and comfortable, with a nice Washoom (CR) desk and lots of places to plug in electronics.

We got to the hotel and relaxed a bit (napped would be the most accurate word) then got up to head to Mall of Asia (MOA) and get dinner and buy new SIM cards for our phones. \240We ended up at a Vietnamese place we had been before. \240Driving the streets of Manila is always interesting, with traffic all over the place (people, there are lanes for a reason) and the most interesting street vendors, usually selling bottle water or smokes or news papers. \240This year a couple of guys were selling mini trees!

Headed back to the hotel and fell asleep pretty fast - we had to be up at 4 am to get back to the airport.

Mini tree for sale

Wonder where the roots are?

Spring Rolls

Chicken Pho

Looking tired

@Ksuter

@#Karendz I see you flew right over North Bay :)

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3
Lezo
Apr 30 2019

We got to the airport early, and with the help of some porters got to the check in. \240 We had to pay a bit more for the luggage as we were overweight, but we expected that. \240

All checked in we made our way to security, and being careful with the laptops, got through security and headed to Mrs Fields for Breakfast. \240

We met a young Brit there who was in the country for 6 weeks for a marine conservation program. \240After a pleasant conversation he headed off to his gate and we headed off to ours

It’s a short flight, but full. \240 Standard to my Philippine flights, it was delayed by 30 minutes, but we soon got boarded and seated. \240A pretty uneventful flight, and 40 minutes later we were landing in Kalibo.

When they turn the aircon on, mist billows from the vents

Boracay Island

Kalibo

This is one of the few airports I have been to where you disembark the plane right on to the runway and walk to the terminal. \240Makes for a quaint arrival. \240We stood by and waited along with the porters for our luggage, and then we were out to meet the family and take the short drive home to Lezo.

@Ksuter

@#Karendz Sudbury Airport also disembark on the runway.

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Apr 30 2019
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May 03 2019
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4
Boracay
May 05 2019

On our way to Boracay

Security

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