Boracay 2013 Part 1

NAIA 3 Check-in area

Okay so now I've completed the NAIA trifecta. Feels weird but definitely worth the try. I think I'm the first passenger on my flight to check-in so i got the seat that I wanted, a window seat somewhere at the back. It's my first time to ride a Bombardier Dash Q-300. It's a small, turbo prop plane, designed specifically for airports with short runways. Only turbo prop planes can operate in Caticlan airport.

I wanted to eat breakfast in the airport but it seems that I couldn't think straight. I can't even choose what food to eat. I haven't slept yet and I don't want to sleep in the airport coz there's a HUGE possiblity that I'll oversleep and be left by my plane.

After a long battle with my unsure brain, i decided to eat pares. I kinda felt better after eating and I just walked around to make me feel better. And then I saw this:

Cebu Pacific Airbus A320 (Sharklet)

This is the 3 month old Sharklet. There are only 2 of those and I was able to catch one of them. It's pretty cool to spot a rare new plane especially if you're into planes. This particular plane was going to Bacolod.

So I was able to settle at my crowded gate, and good thing the OKC-Memphis game was showing. OKC lost that game, and eventually the series in 5 games. Boarding time is 7:15AM and I'm starting to become restless since I want to sleep but i couldn't. 

So finally boarding time came and I was the first to march to the gate. I hopped on the bus who will bring us to our plane, which was parked at the edge-most gate of the airport. It was a sun shiny day, a perfect day to fly. I wanted to go inside the plane ASAP to catch some sleep. Here's the plane that took me from Manila to Caticlan:

Bombardier Dash Q300

 Plane's Interior

Finally, it's time for push back and we're going to take off in a while at Runway 13. Everything was smooth and the plane was taxiing its way to the runway when all of a sudden the Captain announced that we are number 6 on departure and we need to sit for another 25 minutes. SMH. But the good thing was I was able to sleep during that period and we finally took off! Flight was great and it it was only a short, 45 minute hop. Just a blooper though, PAL Express' hand sanitizer inside its lavatory is the one used in ANA (All Nipon Airways) not sure if that's legal.

Before landing, we were treated to spectacular views of Boracay, a view I haven't seen even on pictures or Instagram. 

 Puka Beach on the left, Shangrila-La at the middle with their OWN beach

Wow thanks landing gear. At the right is where the main beach is

 Sunny Boracay Airport (HDR)

outside the airport

I was there from Sunday-Thursday and we are 9 on the group. I was the first on to arrive before Rap followed at 10 and the whole gang at 11. I took a nap at a carinderia just across the airport to wait for Rap and during this time, I almost wanted to tap out. The port is just 1KM from the airport so it's just a tricycle ride away.

(to be continued)

NAIA Trifecta And Leaving For Boracay

First of, let me start by telling you how last Saturday night (May 11) went for me. It ain't that great. Don't get me wrong, i had fun during the day but it was just on the tail end of the day where I experienced stress.

That particular Saturday was my friend's birthday. He invited his friends over to his house for dinner but i didn't stay that long coz I need to pick up my cousin who's coming from San Francisco. Her flight was scheduled to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (notice how i placed the exact terminal, you'll know why later) at 10 PM. So i left my friend's house around 9ish.

I was with my cousin's driver, Mark, and as usual it was traffic at NAIA 1. He parked the car while i went to the arrival area, which by the way sucks balls because of...i don't even want to start, and to my surprise my cousin's flight was delayed by 50 minutes! That sucks, especially in a crappy airport. Here's the thing, i don't mind waiting for a delayed flight just as long as the place where you can meet your loved ones is decent at the least or if it is equiped with a gallery where you can planespot.

Both of them, are not present unfortunately. I just watched planes from each side of the airport. The airplanes kept me away from boredom. Please excuse my photos, they're only taken from my phone and it can't perform well enough at night.


   

                                                   Kuwait Airways Airbus A340-300

                                                   Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800

                                                      Korean Air Airbus A330-300

                                        Delta Airlines Boeing 737-400 (My Cousins's Ride)

The Delta plane arrived at around 11PM, 10 minutes later than expected. It's okay though since I was able to plane spot the whole time but it's time to go to the arrival area and meet my cousin there. I was wrong. It took her 1 hour before she could get out of the airport, and that's with inside assistance! The queue inside was horrible, I can imagine because 3 jumbo jets landed almost at the same time. That's like at least 300 plus passengers each times 3.

Anyway, my experience at the arrival area at NAIA 1 sucked, since it was crowded, has limited seats and extremely hot. I usually don't complain about stuff but this is different. Well, at least my cousin was able to get out of there together with her baggage and we went home at around past 12.

My cousin's husband, together with their kids, will arrive at 4AM so we need to leave the house at 3:30AM. We rested for a little while and i also double checked all my stuff because I'll go straight to my flight after picking them up.

So NAIA 2 was a different story since there was only a few of us in the airport and we were escorted to a place where we can sit. The husband and kids rode the PAL (Philippine Airlines) and NAIA 2 is exclusively for PAL only. They got out of the airport at 5AM, and my nephews, niece and I had a group hug. I told them that I'll be leaving for Boracay so I also said goodbye right after.

It's 5:30AM and I haven't slept yet. I'm on my way to NAIA 3 and I'm freaking sleepy! My flight is at 7:40AM and I feel that I'm floating. Ugh I hate this feeling, but the good thing is I'm going to a paradise that is Boracay.