My 30th Post Bday Celebration
After being postponed because of a current project that I am handling, my 30th bday celebration finally pushed through. The itinerary was Sin - Bali - Mnl. It was a long vacation since I am taking the last flight out of Manila on Aug 16 and will only be returning on the 21st, a Sunday. This trip is first of many things for me. First trip to Bali, first flight to Singapore that I am taking a LCC (I normally take PAL), first time to experience the MIASCOR lounge in T1 of NAIA, first time to sleep in Jo's new apartment, first time I am flying alone (yup, never flown by myself internationally) and the first time i will be going back to Singapore after my trip last year with Chuck. From all the "virginal" experiences I am going to encounter, it promised to be a wonderful and different experience.
First Day, Aug 16.
On the day of my flight, I still reported for work and brought ALL my luggages to work. I say ALL since I have never been a light packer and with almost 6 days of being away from home, I managed to convince myself that I need 7 shorts, 3 pants, 10 shirts, loads of undies, socks and hankies. I checked in 2 bags and hand carried 1 large bag. Since I am unsure of how traffic is going to be on a Tuesday night, I left the office and picked-up Elmer to drive me to the airport by around 6 PM. My flight is 9:50PM. I am not sure if I should be thankful that I there was not traffic duuring that day because I arrived at NAIA T1 before 7 PM. Tooooooo early for my flight. Anyhow, the counter for Tiger opened early too so I checked in immediately upon arriving at the airport. The thing with an LCC is that the cost of the flight rarely includes, if at all, the tax for the airport. So I still had to pay Php1650 plus the terminal fee of Php750. With this amount, my fare still totalled to 10K almost. It has been such a long time since I have flown out using T1, (Aus trip in 2008) so I have forgotten how old the terminal is. The place seriously needs a make-over. I cringe just thinking Paris Hilton used the same Terminal when she came to Manila. As my friend Ai said, "sana hindi siya gumamit the bathroom kasi ang kadiri."
Miascor Lounge
I did not eat any dinner at all since I know that thru my Citi Premiere Card, i will be given free access to the lounge. I have been to quite a few airport lounges (China air's lounge in HK, being by far the best) so I know that there will be free food, drinks, access to the internet, TV, and things to do that will help me while away my time before my boarding. With this expectation in mind, I excitedly looked for the lounge and was shocked when I saw how not up to par the place is. Chairs are not comfy, the leather sofa is oooold and the food is horrible. They have pancit cooked like a bihon but with noodles ala spaghetti. The only other choice is chicken cooked with rice that does not look appetizing at all. But since I am hungry, I still tried everything and it tasted the way it looked. The only redeeming quality is that the WIFI is fast (password ia airlines, in case you are in the area and happen to get their sig). I twitted, facebooked and you tubed my time away. Before long, I am now boarding (prolly the only one using an LCC in the lounge). Funny was upon presenting my boarding pass and passport to the lady from Tiger Air, she jokingly asked if the person in the passport was really me, i just smiled and said, yup I lost a lot of weight. I hate that my passport remains a visual reminder of my "obitness" everytime I fly. Can't wait to have it renewed by 2013.
Budget Terminal - Changi Airport, Singapore
My friends and I have this inside joke that we hate flying LCC, especially in Sin where the terminal is located at the 'BUDGET TERMINAL". Jo even tweeted that she is embarassed to be seen picking up a friend at the budget terminal. Haha. If you have been to Changi airport, you will know the "discrimation" I am talking about. You see Changi airport is really nice and terminals 1-3 offer a lot of good shopping experience for the traveller in transit or those doing pasalubong panic buying. Unfortunately, the Budget Terminal does not. This terminal is also accessible only thru a shuttle bus or thru a cab unlike the other terminals that are connected via the train. So on the dot at 2AM, my friends Ai and Jo picked me up at the airport. Armed with loads and loads of clothes, my camera, my Ipad, my atm and my very sleepy but excited spirit, we start our adventure.
Bali First Day
The night I arrived, Aileen was sharing a blog she read about a very unfortunate Den Pasar (Bali) airport experience of two Filipinas who were accused of being drug mules.
(here's the link: http://www.chy
ngreyes.com/2011/06/my-traumatic-experience-as-alleged-drug.html)
It was not something you want to read hours before you are to take the same flight. So I tweeted and placed a status message praying for a safe trip. You know just in case. :-) Fortunately, no such untoward incident happened. We arrived in Den Pasar, safe, sound and even 30 mins earlier. The first thing you will notice upon arrival is that the place is very provincial. The airport has the same feel as that of Kota Kinabalu. With a very breezy check out of our bags and immigration we set out to conquer Bali. We were welcomed by a gorgeous weather and heaps of Mang Kepwengs.
The sun is similar to that of Manila's but humidity is not the same. A cool breeze blows while the sun merrily dances and kisses your skin. Its beautiful compared to the relentless rain we have been experiencing lately. Im hooked. Oh Bali, you had me at Selamat Datang. Can't wait to explore and have fun.
I'll post more pics of our tour, the hotel, the beaches in my next entry.
Location:Eastwood Ave,Quezon City,Philippines
