Not Itchy In Makati City

Makati is a Tagalog (Filipino) word for "itchy", but also for the ebbing tide.

According to tradition, the first Governor-General of the Philippines Miguel López de Legazpi, while exploring a swamp near the Pasig River, asked for the name of the place but, because of the language barrier, was misinterpreted by the Tagalog people. Pointing to the receding tide of Pasig River, the Tagalogs answered, “Makati, kumakati na,” literally meaning ebbing tide.^[5]

We took our breakfast, fixed the luggage and were shuttled by the hotel’s van to the NAIA. It took us 35 minutes to get to the airport, and the van costs 680 Pesos. I stayed outside the airport (as visitors were not allowed inside, unlike at the domestic terminal) and waited until my friend called that he is already checked-in.

 

Note: NAIA charges all kinds of taxes so be prepared to have enough cash to pay for 750 pesos airport tax, and of course you have to fill out the exit form.

After I brought my friend to the airport, I went to Ayala Avenue in Makati City. It was still early, and the malls were closed except for the food court of the Landmark, so I decided to take another small breakfast. Afterwards, I went looking for an ATM since I needed to stock some cash for the next days. There are a lot of banks around the area of the business district. I panicked when my bank card was not accepted at the ATM, tried the next machine, and it was the same thing. I've considered that probably it was just a glitch in the system, so I resolved to keep calm and try again on another machine somewhere else. Fortunately, I have enough cash for the next couple of days. I've planned to visit my cousin who lives in another province, Nueva Ecija, the next day.

I've decided to walk around a bit and then took a bus going to another (city) district, Mandaluyong City. As usual, the traffic was so bad which is always the case in Manila. I still prefer the provinces. All laid back and slow-paced.

I did a little mall tour and decided to go back to the bay area at the Mall of Asia (MoA). I spent the whole afternoon at the MoA and back to the hotel for an early nightcap because I had to travel early the next day too.

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.