Category: Uncategorized

So here we are. I’m sitting in a Hotel (well Motel) in Los Angeles. Feels surreal. Doesn’t feel like I’m really here.

This was my first long haul flight. 12 hours sitting in a packed economy class on Cathay Pacific (CX8882) flight. I must say it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I managed to get a few hours sleep. I thought I’d be a zombie when I got there – but I was remarkbly refreshed.

 

 

We arrived yesterday afternoon. The plane touched down early at 1.40 pm,  but 4 hours later we arrived y the hotel. about 2 hours of that time was waiting in the US immigration line. We were finger printed and photographed. I guess they didn’t think we terrorists so they let us through.

When we got to the hotel we realised we had no US currency. I tipped the driver with a AUD $5 note. He seemed ok with that.

But the first thing we needed was a shower. After 26 or so hours it felt so good.

We got changed and headed out to find a money changer.

The guy at reception said there was a 24hr money changer in Hollywood Boulevard so we walked up there.

This is where the “walk of fame” is, with celebrities having the “star” on the pavement.

We got some money changed and immediately just spotted a Zara shop and had to offload some “greenbacks”. She said she wanted a jacket because it was cold (20 deg). But she came out with 2 t-shirts.

Yeah its tacky. But you expect that. So just go with it. There are lots of characters you can have your photo with. They want a tip, but we’re didn’t know how much and we’re stingy too. I have found out since – its $5 tip for the photo.

We’re going back there today. We’ll do the 2 hr tour around Hollywood.

 

At long last our USA trip is on.

Jane and I are here at Perth airport at 5am.

First flight to Hong Kong – landing at 3.10pm.

Then a 15 hour flight to the city of Angels. We’re arriving 2 hours before we take off. (try explaining that to Jane). We’ll be there 2.50pm (LA time)

Can’r wait (to arrive in US – not the flight itself)

As I said my previous post I stayed in AirBnB accommodation during my weekend trip to Manila.

The condo unit is called CONDO UNIT @ NEWPORT INFRONT NAIA 3 hosted by Lars-Mia.

I gave it a 5 star review:

I stayed at Lars and Mia’s apartment for 3 nights last weekend. I enjoyed the apartment and location very much. The caretaker, Jocelyn was there to meet me and hand over the keys and show me to the apartment. Jocelyn was very friendly and efficient. The pictures are accurate, although a little smaller than I imagined. The apartment was very clean and neat with all the necessary facilities. Towels and bed linen was clean and smelled fresh. I arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 and walked to the apartment complex. There was a lot of road works going on, so the walk was a little difficult especially crossing Andrews Ave. I believe a pedestrian overpass is being constructed. This would make this area very accessible and convenient. Overall I had a great weekend. Thank you to Lars, Mia and Jocelyn.

Getting there is another thing

The attraction of this unit was the proximity to Manila Airport Terminal 3. When you arrive and exit the terminal you can see the condo complex right in front of you – about 300m. But! how do you get there? Good question. you can’t simply walk straight there. There’s a wall to climb. I asked one the guards and said I’d have to walk around on the roads (where the vehicles exit). Another guard suggested I take the airport loop bus and asked to be dropped off across the road. This didn’t fill me with confidence. I decided to walk.

The walk took me through several construction zones and through a tunnel emerging onto Andrews Ave. This appeared to be a make shift Jeepney stop. Crossing the road was daunting. Six lanes of traffic. When I say lanes, there’s really no concept of lanes to Manila drivers. There was a few other people waiting to cross at this point, so I joined them. Safety in numbers!

I negotiated the road crossing without incident. Then it was a relativity short walk to the condo unit complex. On arrival I told the guard where I was staying and he let me through to find cluster B. Another guard called Jocelyn and she took me up to the room.

When I was in Manila last weekend I tried AirBnB for the first time.

I must say, I was impressed.

I have been to Philippines many times over the last 10 years. I worked in Leyte for 18 months in 2006/7. I have also stayed in Manila many times, mostly in the  Ortigas Center in Pasig City. Ortigas Center has many benefits for foreign travellers and business people. It’s safe, close to many restaurants and shopping facilities. Mega Mall is one of the biggest shopping centres in the world. The area was many mid-priced hotels. When I say mid-priced I mean around the $100-150 / night range. The Linden Suites, Richmonde Hotel and the Discovery Suites fall into this category. I have stayed in all three, and are excellent hotels.

But the problem with Ortigas Center is that it was far from the airport…. well that’s not strictly true. It’s not that far – it just feels that far when travelling by car in the horrendous Manila traffic. The 16km can take around one hour.

These mid-range hotels don’t appear to exists in other locations around Manila. For example, Makati seems to have only budget hotels or luxury hotels. Nothing in between.

For this trip last weekend, I didn’t want the traffic hassles going to Ortigas for only 3 days. So I looked into AirBnB. There were lots (and lots) of options. Just a simple search around Manila Airport yielded over 300 results ranging from $13 to $200/night – average $77/night. These also range from a single room to an entire house or apartment. Hotels in this area are usually high end, charging around $300/night.

This seems incredible at first sight. How could there be such a large difference? Of course hotels offer top class service. Daily room cleaning, fresh towels and bed linen, a greater level or security. Of course you have to pay for that. But still its 3 to 4 times the prices of most of these AirBnB accommodations. I was very suspicious. There has to be a catch.

I did some web research. I asked my friends and colleagues about their experiences. Surprisingly I found very little negatives about AirBnB. All the advice said read the reviews and contact the host. Reading through the reviews almost all are positive. Again I was suspicious – maybe they got their friends to write reviews – maybe AirBnB themselves only publish the good reviews.

My thoughts then shifted from Manila to New York – I huge lead I know. Maybe I was just getting a Manila Flavour. For my up coming USA trip I have sorted all the accommodation – except for 5 days in New York. New York hotels are expensive. Lets see what AirBnB can offer in New York.

Again a quick search offers hundreds of options. Naturally more expensive than Manila – but still around half the price of hotels in the same area. There were numerous apartments in Brooklyn for around $100/night. Again all quite good reviews.

I decided to bite the bullet and book the Manila weekender. In a condominium complex across the road from NAIA Terminal 3. $177 for 3 nights.  Staying in AirBnb in Manila

I just got back yesterday – and it was great. Everything was as the web site said.

The place was clean and tidy. The caretaker met me and showed my to the apartment. The pictures in the website were exactly what it was. The location was perfect and the price sensational.

I’ll definitely stay there again when I return to Manila.

I have booked the Brooklyn apartment too! I’ll be in the big apple May 16.

 

I’m not going to deliver a War and Peace like essay on Singapore Airlines. Just a few salient points I’d like to share.

I love Singapore Airlines.

I flew with them to Manila this weekend. Unfortunately I couldn’t get the return fare I liked, so I had to settle for Jetstar. That probably will warrant a blog post on its own.

Firstly, I can’t remember a time when Singapore Airlines we ever late. Maybe they were once but its a distant memory if ever.

Secondly the service by the flight attendants in exemplary. Their patience is legendary. I have seen them having to put up with many angry passengers, always with a smile on their face. On the run into Manila, there was a small child in the seat in front of me. There were two other equally smaller children in the seats in front of them. Of course they all decided to start crying… no, screaming at the same time. It was annoying yes, but I’ve had children, so I can understand what they’re going through. The flight attendants and other passengers did their best to calm them down.

This guy was trying to entertain the kid opposite with a sick bag puppet. Quite innovative and effective I must say.

Thirdly the pilot had the good humour to draw a dick in the sky when told to maintain a holding pattern before landing. Well played sir!

 

I’m here at Perth airport. It’s 5.20am, and I’ve been up since 3.45.

This is my short trip to Manila to pick up Jane’s aunt. She’ll be looking after the kids while we’re holidaying in US of A.

Not much to say so far. Except maybe the bad cover of a bad Ed Sheeran song playing over the speakers.

Singapore for a few hours, then on to Manila, touching down about 5.30…. eeek that’s 12 hours from now.