Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
Chasing The Flight
I’m back in Manila after spending almost a week in Cebu with the PTB Bagets. It’s my 9th time (or 10th? I lost count LOL) in Cebu, but it was my first time to visit Moalboal and Bantayan. It is a jam-packed trip full of activities and expected things that happened. Want me to start with storytelling? Let’s start with the trip going to the airport…
Motivational photo to not give up on the Cebu Flight!
A day before the trip, Robbie and I agreed to go together. I’ll take the taxi and pick him up on his place so we can go straight to the airport sharing the fare. At 6pm, he told me that he’s about to leave Quezon City and he is taking the MRT train going to the Bonifacio station. I lacked sleep so I fell asleep while waiting for his next update. He gave me a missed call at 7:10pm prompting that he will just do the last minute preparations and he’s ready to go.
With a sleepyhead and hungry stomach, I picked up my things and wore the slippers next to my bed. I went to the lobby to wait for a vacant taxi. There are two more passengers waiting before me. It started to rain and the Saturday traffic jam starts to go crazy. I hailed a cab after 30 minutes and while waiting, I was texting Robbie to just ride a cab when he sees one and i’ll try my very best to follow. We were both worried that we’ll miss our flight. Gah.
On Airports, Departures and Arrivals
The Airport is such a busy place. Everyone is roaming around with their luggages and you will literally see people from different walks of life patiently waiting in line to put their bags on the check-in area. Most backpackers prefer the hand-carry option by bringing less clothes and stuff in order to save some money. They have different reasons on why they’re here: Majority flies to go on a vacation, some have work-related tasks to do while there are those who are eager to go home.
I consider the airport as one of my favorite hangout place no matter how big or small it is. For my domestic travels, I usually go two hours before my departure date, while I go to the check-in area three hours prior to the scheduled flight if i am going out of the country. It is really nice to compare flights beforehand in order to get cheaper plane tickets. You can still use your extra money to buy some snacks while waiting.
It is already a habit of mine to observe the passengers at the departure area especially if i am traveling alone. My laptop is useless when I can’t find an outlet so I tend to just sit in the corner and wait. I remember on my first solo moment at NAIA 1. I met a married couple already in their 50′s who are excited to visit their daughter in Dubai. They were excited and looking forward to their unica hija’s treat as she promised that they will shop ’till they drop.
Sunny Weekend in Puerto Princesa with AirPhil Express
This is a trip that I never imagined will push through. Bagyong Falcon is about to hit the country and I am in Dagupan City, Pangasinan last Thursday. I asked some of my travel blogger friends if the scheduled trip to Puerto Princesa will still push through. Most of us were hesitant because of the weather. When they finally confirmed that the weather in Puerto Princesa is good, I decided to take a bus trip from Dagupan at 6:30PM. Despite the heavy rain in some areas, i arrived safely in our house at 11PM.
Rochelle, Robbie and Mica @ Puerto Princesa Airport via AirPhil Express
I didn’t sleep during the whole duration of the bus trip. I didn’t sleep at home too even if i still have enough time to take a nap. I did some online tasks then packed my luggage at 4am. I once asked my companions if the trip will still push through since it’s raining hard that time. With the confirmation, I took a taxi to NAIA Terminal 3 to meet up with Robbie, Winston, Eric, Anton, Rochelle and JC with the staff of AirPhil Express (Line, Nicole, Mike and Brian). It’s not my first time to visit Puerto Princesa, but what made this trip exciting is that i’ll be enjoying the whole tour with some of my favorite travel companions. Also, our itinerary is loaded with activities and i’ve never been to some of the places listed. Exciting!
My SMART LTE Testing Experience in Boracay
When I stayed in England for three months, I can say that I was pampered with fast internet connection. It is the main reason why my homesickness was cured. Most of my Filipino friends were able to watch their favorite teleseryes online and they usually have this habit of doing live video streamings or webcam sessions with relatives and loved ones. I can also upload photos and videos in just a snap no matter how large my files are.
My Dream Workstation - Uploading and Downloading files while relaxing in Boracay (Photo by Nina Fuentes)
Last Saturday, I was invited to participate at the SMART LTE Testing in Boracay together with bloggers Fritz, Nina and Winston. I am a subscriber of Smart for more than five years and being one of the first one to try this new fourth-generation (4G) network. Some blogger friends of mine were able to attend in the first and second leg of the SMART LTE testing and all of them were claiming that it is the fastest internet connection they ever experienced in the Philippines. Hmmm… time for me to test and see. Before the trip, I already envisioned a great day – Doing my online tasks with a more reliable internet connection and speed as I enjoy the fantastic view of Boracay. 
The Rizal Park 2010 Realization
‘When was the last time you went to Luneta Park?’ i asked myself moments before Bryan Karl, Jerome and I headed to the National Park of the Philippines after our Ocean Park trip. I can’t really remember the exact date, but i think it is sometime in 1995 or 1996. I insisted of going there because i saw it at our Sibika at Kultura textbook. As a fan of Jose Rizal’s greatness, the Little Mica got what she requested.
Saan na tayo tutungo n'yan?
During our short trip to Luneta Park at the first weekend of October 2010, my mind was a bit messed up. I wasn’t even sure if we were already in Luneta not until I saw Dr. Jose Rizal’s statue, where the guards are standing there with pokerface. Too bad we weren’t allowed to take a closer picture with them. We’ll cause too much distraction, i bet.
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