Philippines Day 20: Legazpi - Manila

Of course, we were brought to the airport by our driver for the last days. We had a great time in and around Legazpi thanks to his services, but now it was time to leave for Manila. We had booked a flight with Cebu Pacific at 9.30 a.m., and it took just about one hour to get back to Manila. When we arrived at the domestic airport in Manila, I used the opportunity to change my flight with Philippine Airlines at their airport office. I originally had planned to drive by bus northwards from Manila to visit a cousin in Nueva Ecija but decided against it since I was still feeling sick and now wanted to go earlier to Palawan instead and rest. Unfortunately, I had to wait forever to rebook after pulling my number from the waiting list. It was probably a bad idea because rebooking cost about as much as the original flight. I even had to book my baggage allowance for a second time because the airline already forfeited what I paid on my initial flight. It just defies any logic. It didn't really lift my mood.

What lifted my mood, was eating in the restaurant area of the domestic airport after rebooking the flight. I really like the domestic airport - it's clean, huge and there are many restaurants to choose from. We actually split up -  I went to get some Asian food and took my stuff then to my friend, who had ordered pizza. 

Then we took a cab to our hotel for the next three nights, conveniently located beside the Manila Bay, the Microtel Mall of Asia, where we already had stayed before going to Legazpi and on our previous visit in the country. 

After a short rest, we were picked up by friends (the twin sister of a good friend of mine here in Berlin and her husband) for dinner at the Greenbelt in Makati's financial district. The centre has a small park with palm trees and manicured lawn and of course, shopping and dining areas. It has everything your heart might desire. I was really feeling the heat and was sweating profusely, but at the same time, the area was quite relaxing, and we soon found a nice restaurant and had an excellent dinner. Since my friend was very picky about food, we let him decide which kind he likes. Then we needed to sleep because for the next day we had booked a volcano tour, starting at 8 o'clock in the morning.

The Heat Is On In Manila

view of Manila from the plane

Day 2: Manila

Finally arriving in Manila at 9:00 a.m., I could already feel the heat even inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. People were waiting impatiently in the queue at the customs. Nothing to declare so we could quickly get off. As a foreigner, one is allowed to stay in the country for 21 days without a visa. As a balikbayan, I'm allowed to stay up to one year.

We were just happy to get our luggage and get out. The first thing we did was to change our euros at the counters just inside the airport. We have to pass through many people haggling us with their taxis and hotels. My travel companion needs a break so bad since he couldn't smoke in all of the 15 hours since we checked-in in Berlin.

smooth operation at the counters, 

First, we wanted to take a taxi to the domestic airport. It looks near on the map but doesn't let it fool you. It took us around 20 minutes from NAIA to Terminal 3 (for domestic flights). Just outside the airport are the "registered" taxis that will charge you "ca. 600 pesos" to take you from NAIA to the domestic airport (Terminal 3). But just about 5 meters further right is the airport shuttle stop that will take you directly to domestic terminals. The drivers still expect some monetary tips though. It all worked just fine.

We decided to immediately go to the domestic airport and change our flight schedule. The domestic terminal is relatively new and par to the standard of the international airports. It is clean, well-maintained and air-conditioned. Outside must have been around 30°C and it is a relief for us. Immediately upon entering the premises, our pieces of luggage were scanned and checked.

terminal 3 (domestic airport)

We are supposed to fly to Legazpi City the next day but due to the typhoon "Juaning" followed by "Kabayan" that devastated the province we didn't risk it to be stranded in such a mess. So we thought it better to reroute it and fly directly to Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol Province.  We had to stand at a very long queue at the check-in counter, and when it was our turn after waiting for like an hour, we were told to go to the office just on the side of the building.

News reports said that many towns were flooded and roads are not passable. August-October and even November are the typhoon season in the country, and the north and eastern parts were mostly affected.