I am in Taipei

Taiwan is only 1 hour and 55 minutes away but the traveling time doesn’t only count the total amount of time the plane is flying. For me It is the summation of all activities beginning from the time I woke-up and left my bed at home up to the time I reached my hotel bed. In today’s case, it took a total of nine whole hours to get to Taipei. I woke-up at 6 am, showered and dressed up, had quick breakfast and headed for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 7:15 am. Reached our Makati Office at 8 am, left at 8:06 am, arrived at NAIA I at 8:30 am.

Guadalupe bridge looked so serene at 7:30 am.

(Checking my delegation ID on my way to the airport)

NAIA Terminal 1 lobby

As soon as I checked-in the ground crew said “mam, here’s your
invitation to the lounge, boarding time is at eleven o’clock”.
Our flight is at 10:30, why 11?
“the flight is slightly delayed”.

I made the mistake of wearing this pair of step-in. I haven’t even reached the plane and yet my feet were already hurting.

After I cleared through the immigration, an airport personnel called me “Miss, miss, sa’yo ba ito?” He was holding a piece of paper that said “OFW…

OFW? Should I be flattered that he called me MISS or shall I evaluate my looks and my fashion choices? I probably need a make-over.

I then took my time, I checked-out the bags and wallets at the duty free shop including the Lladro porcelain figurines.
I also chatted with the sales lady at the souvenir shop.

She’s Helen, originally from Iloilo, and has been manning this souvenir shop for over 20 years. They opened during the time of President Marcos.

You may bring this life sized Morion home for P35,000

And why would people offer coins to this guy? Morions were the ones who crucified Jesus.

It’s about time we upgrade our airport.

China Airline’s lounge is on the second floor

My colleagues were already at the lounge when I got there at about 9:15 am. The minute I entered, I immediately noticed how payat Tonyboy
Cojuangco is.

Me—- ” someone lost a lot of weight and he looks so gwapo, what did
you do? No rice?”
We spent an hour talking about the right way to lose weight. Tonyboy
has all the discipline and determination, I don’t. I totally forget who I am when I am infront of food. That’s how focused I am while eating.

I will tell you what he did to lose over 20 lbs., and what he advised me to do to lose weight some other time.

It was my first time to take China Airlines and I wasn’t disappointed.

The plane looked and smelled new. I was at seat 2j and the seat was comfortable with a large tv which I never
got to use. And since it’s a short flight, No one in the flight got to recline the seat and sleep.

Susing was my seatmate

Elizabeth Lee and her mom Helen Lee were on my left

RP Manhit was behind me on seat 3 J

It was a good flight. Service was great, the crews were friendly and attentive and called me Ms. Tan-Yee all the time. The best part was that it was a smooth flight, not even once did I feel a slight bump.

Bawal ang japeks

Happy faces, we arrived in Taipei in good shape.

Raymond Garcia clearing through the special counter for diplomats

We were greeted at the Taipei airport by Ana Sy from the Department of
Trade and Industry here in Taiwan, Sabrina Aaron the Protocol officer of The Manila Economic and Cultural Office and Carlo Aquino, Deputy Representative, MECO.

Yours truly, Tony Lopa and Carlo Aquino

With Beth Lee

Tonyboy looked payatot here. No more tummy? Or baka nag-stomach-in lang muna

We were brought to the Regent Hotel by a coaster.

Ana Sy took care of my handcarry bag

while Aizel Anolin, Senior Trade And Investment
Development Specialist at the Department of Trade and Industry handed me my room key as soon as I entered the hotel lobby.
“mam, your room key”.

HI Aizel, we’re late for the forum.
“abot pa for the keynote speech, Secretary Domingo would like you (our group) to be there”.

I finally reached my room – 1707 at exactly 3 pm, a total traveling time of 9 hours. Nakakapagod rin.

My feet really hurt, bad choice of footwear

My room is really nice and with a good view of the neighboring buildings and I could see a little bit of the mountains

View down below, nakakalula

Ay finally after 9 hours, pwede nang mag-muni-muni.