A couple of days before Chinese New Year I received an email from Cathay Pacific with a deal that was too good to turn down…..after speaking to Fi (who was currently in Sydney) we booked a weekend to Manila, Philippines.
The day had finally arrived, Friday 5 May, we checked in online in the morning, and after a very long day and in-particular week at work Fi was ready to leave at 5.30pm, I was definitely ready but not able too! In the end I was waiting for her to finish just after 7pm.
Before too long we were on the train and heading straight to the airport. On arrival at the airport Fi had to find a cabin bag measurer to make sure she could carry on her bag. To begin with it didn't fit, however with a few "it will fit, I'll just push it" the bag was in....now to get it out. After going through security and customs we headed straight to the lounge - first stop the bar for champagne then food. A great way to start off the holiday!
Flight was quick and painless, that was until we landed. While the seat belt sign was still on half the plane was up - where they thought they were going was anyone's guess. Fi had to push to make room for herself to stand in the aisle and was paranoid she'll drop our bags on the small child standing behind her. Finally off the plane and thinking we were doing well until we turned the corner into the HUGE lines at immigration. I remember the lines in Bangkok were long but this is just ridiculous - there seems to be at least 40 people in each line. We noticed a line for specials, including APEC card, so was off. Still had to line up for awhile though, but it was better than the other lines. Fi was particularly worried about the warning on the immigration form -- about children trafficking. We were wondering what on earth we had got ourselves into. After being able to jump ahead of the couple in front of us, because they hadn't completed their forms, we were off into the big wide world of Manila. Watch out everyone….or perhaps watch our Fi and Sarah!
We had decided to book a car through the hotel given we were two young (ok not quite but youngish) ladies and it was after midnight when we were to land, as a couple of friends had said it wasn't the safest place. After finding the a man with the hotel sign we set off to the hotel airport lounge to wait for the car. Once the car arrived it was around 20 minutes drive to the hotel. First thing we noticed on arrival was the size of the hotel (huge) then the security - security men and dogs checked every car that arrived at the hotel then before walking through the lobby doors there were more security. We were greeted on arrival and ushered straight to the lifts up to our room, where we did check-in. So quick and easy! (The wonderful perk of staying on a club floor, along with having breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails all included.)
As it was very early in the morning we decided to order a wake up call so we didn't miss breakfast. When the phone rang we both let out a NNNNNOOOOO - more sleep was definitely needed and wanted! Breakfast was wonderful - service brilliant, food good, we just took our time and enjoyed the view. After breakfast we hit the pool for a couple of hours, ooh so relaxing, before going to the gym - decided we needed to work out given what we ate for breakfast and what would be eaten later today and tomorrow.
Next stop on our food, I mean relaxing holiday was afternoon tea. After a few language issues we were off to town with the delicious scones, jam and cream.
After Afternoon Tea we decided to venture out of the hotel, more to make room for cocktails than anything else (this trip was to be all about relaxing!). The hotel is located very close to two major/large shopping centers. No purchases for either of us but it was nice just to look, especially at the more expensive stores which neither of us would go into in HK. One thing I did notice being outside was the humidity, I was grateful for the swimming pool and that we weren't out for too long.
Back to the hotel and straight to the cocktail hour, where we seemed to stay for 4 hours! Oh well. Was lovely just sitting and chatting while watching the outside world go by. We questioned the waiters on the security and was told it had been like this for as long as she can remember. They are there to check for guns and bombs.
Sunday we were up early, had breakfast then headed to the pool for the day. For the majority of the day we were the only women there which we found a little odd - we did wonder if there was a man only conference going on????? Far too quickly our time at the pool came to an end, time to shower, check-out and head to the airport. I could have easily stayed another week or three! Of course whenever I travel there are always some kind of "hiccup", this trip was when we checked in at the airport. After being presented with boarding passes that were on different rows of the plane we were reissued with new passes and on our way, paid the departure tax (why this isn't included in the flight cost is beyond me), and were about to go through immigration when we noticed both boarding passes has Fi's name on them. We headed back to the desk to have him reissue the correct boarding pass for me, then were off. Goodbye Manila.
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