October 17, 2013 Thursday
Flight to Dubai to London was seven hours and fifteen minutes. Although the flight was comfortable and Emirates’ service was luxurious, Edmund and I still felt tired and jetlagged. Ang layo ng binyahe namin.
1 hour bahay to NAIA
3 hours NAIA
8.5 hours Manila to Dubai
3.5 Dubai lay-over
7 hours Dubai to London
1 hour Heathrow
.5 Heathrow to hotel
Total = 24.5 hours!!!
Lantutay na ako.
We touched down at the London Heathrow International Airport at 12 noon on October 17, 2013.
The weather was perfect.
The last time we were here was 10 years ago. We joined the Globus tour after Oyen graduated from high school.
This was Edmund’s 3rd visit to London, probably my tenth.
We were given a Fastrack card during the flight, supposedly for VIP kuno, but the ordinary lanes were processing the visitors a lot faster.
Where’s our luggage?
We were offered free ride from the airport to our hotel a few weeks ago, but we didn’t have a hotel yet that time. We thought that offer from Emirates was gone, but when we saw their counter, I asked if they still could provide us with a complimentary car, and they readily said YES. They looked at our names on the list and voila, they said perfect, they have an extra driver and car. Emirates you are the best! Thank you.
We were asked to sit down first for a few minutes while they prepare the car. There was an open bar and a small lounge. We met Minda Aranda, a Filipina from Las Pinas. She’s 64, and about to retire in the Philippines. They’ve built a house in Las Pinas and were looking forward to their happy retirement. She and her husband went to the Philippines in May. When she was about to leave back to UK, her husband opted to stay behind for another month.
After several days, his leg swelled so bad. The doctors found a small wound on his talampakan. Na impeksyon yata. It affected his heart. He died of heart attack. He was 65. Sayang, bata pa ang 65.
Here’s our Mercedez van. We were not able to give the young Indian guy a tip. He helped us carry our luggage. Edmund and I were distracted and before we knew it, nakaalis na sya. He’s getting married next year to a long-time Filipina girlfriend.
After a short drive, we’re here at the hotel.
Thank you Emirates, you have very good service. Merong consuelo.
