I started feeling restless last monday. Naiinis pati ako when I see my drooping face on the mirror. I need some kind of short break. I wanted to go out of town for a day or two. I thought of going to Tagaytay or to Caylabne Bay but my kids have schedules this weekend and Edmund has golf tournament. It would be a long weekend next week and although my kids and I got it all planned out, I just couldn’t wait to get out of town the soonest possible time to have a change of environment. I really feel so restless. I know when I need some time-off. Batangas kaya? Stay-cation na lang kaya, maybe in a hotel in Manila? Nope, I need to get-out, get-out of Manila, get-out of the Philippines.
I went to the Philippine Airlines office in Pasay Road and requested for a Mabuhay Class ticket from my accumulated mileage.
Nope, the flights are fully booked IF I will use my mileage. BUT if I will buy, there are seats available for US$800.
Me—– “Miss, sa Hongkong ako pupunta, hindi sa Dubai”. I don’t want to pay $800 for a ticket to HK unless it comes with 3 nights accommodation at the Ritz Hotel!!
There are economy seats still available BUT I have to pay US$56 processing fee because my request daw is less than 10 days before the actual departure, plus fuel charge, plus something else = P9,000.
Me——– “Miss, eh di parang bumili na rin ako ng economy ticket. Di ba mura lang yang Hongkong online?”
P9,000? Parang binayaran ko na rin yung ticket tapos binawasan nyo pa mileage ko. Sige bibili na lang ako ng ticket.
Tapos may I just request that you upgrade me to business class using my mileage.
“mam, hindi ho pwede”. No seats available.
I bought a round trip ticket to HK from PAL online at midnight of February 13. I chose my preferred seats and paid extra $20 each way so I could be on the front row.
I booked a room at the Park Lane Hotel thru Hotels.com. My parents and I stayed in this hotel 20 years ago. I am not quite sure if this is the same hotel or they tore down the old one and built what is now the Park Lane.
I was too lazy to get a bigger maleta from the storage room so I just packed a few clothes and stuck them in my ever loyal hand carry. I also baon my medicines, my Giga peppermint rub, shoved my laptop and Ipad into my bag.
My alarm rang at 6 am but I couldn’t open my eyes. I stood up at 6:15 and by 7 pm I was ready. I went to my children’s rooms and kissed them. Nyke was still in deep sleep. Oyen was awakened.
I was at the airport by 8:05 am,
I was standing in line and this guy called me to come to his counter. I looked up and saw that this counter is dedicated to Senior Citizens. At bakit nya ako tinawag? Mukha ba akong Senior? Mukha akong Senyora pero hindi Senior? He saw me frowning and looking at the senior sign. He explained that he called me not because he thinks senior citizen na ako. Explanation not accepted. Damage has been done. My feelings and self-esteem have been wounded.
Sya ay super sexy front and back, pero tingin ko she could be a he.
Dapat they continue to require that shoes be taken off.
This Salvatore Ferragamo boutique is newly opened. I didn’t notice this in December. Mabuti naman, medyo naging class ng konti yung duty free section.
I bought a small bottle of eau de toilette to be claimed when I arrived back in Manila. They gave me a 7% discount.
It’s boarding. According to the check in guy, the flight is full because a lot of Chinese tourists came to Manila for the Chinese New Year and ngayon, nagbabalikan na sila.
plane took off at 10:40 my time and landed in HK at 12:30 noon.
I sat beside a guy on the plane who’s going to stay in HK for 10 hours only. He’s going straight to Mongkok to buy some Giordano t-shirts, and who knows what.
He is taking the 10 pm flight back to Manila. And why is he doing that? Because he can. He used to be a ground crew of PAL before the strike. Now he’s waiting for PAL to hire him back or pay him a hefty retirement. In the meantime, he’s globetrotting and enjoying PAL’s generous privilege of free travels that extends to his immediate family. He told me his kids don’t even know that he’s going to HK. Not a good idea if you ask me.
I exchanged US$100 to HK$725 at the airport which I know is very low. But I need some cash for the train ticket and for any immediate need. The Indian money changers give the highest rate of 785 or more but they are scattered around Tsim Sha Tui.
I took the airport express train (HK$180 round trip) to go to the city and the complimentary coaster shuttle to Park Lane.
I met a certain Oscar Arguelles while waiting for the shuttle. He and 15 of his sales staff are here in HK for the weekend as an incentive bonus for hitting their year-end target. They’re all staying at the Excelsior Hotel.
