Turns out that while the airport here in Manila doesn't have free wifi, it does have free internet stations. Which is nice - and also allowed me to get the message from Cathay that my flight will be delayed by 30 minutes. Its not a big deal, as I was due for like a 3 hour layover in HK anyways. The plane I'm going to be taking has just landed, so its not like the last delay where it ended up ballooning to three hours - though that did land me food voucher which was good.
Not that there would be anywhere to spend the voucher here - the facilities in the departure lounge are seriously lacking. I'm having a 'froccino' from the coffee place, which is one of the better options available - and there looks like theres a decent bar, but not really anywhere for a proper meal. Luckily we ate before we got here (actually my only visit to Jollibees of the trip - with a side of corn muffins from kenny rogers) and I'm loaded up with food in my carryon. Which I was made to repack as it was overweight by 3kg. It wasn't a huge deal, as my checked bags were underweight. Atleast it wasn't a big deal once I managed to find the keys to my suitcase. We were about to break out the wirecutters :)
The airport here has more checkpoints than usual, and only passengers are allowed in the terminal building so I was left at the gate. Also be warned that there's an airport tax you need to pay on your way out. Right now its 750php, or 16.75 USD. I paid in US, but ended up getting change in pesos which I have to try to use up before I board my flight. The delay gives me a bit longer to shop. I'm leaning towards a keychain.
And I've been informed that there is indeed free wifi - or atleast sponsored, so hopefully its still around next time I visit here - but Ive gotten comfy at my station, and dont feel like digging through my bag for my ipod so I'll stay put.
The last day or so here in Manila was pretty good. Went out with some of my cousins for dinner last night - we went to the Ayala Tech hub, a little courtyard area with a bunch of shops and restaurants right near the house, in the same development as a whole bunch of call centers and other huge office buildings - one of my cousin apparently works at an IBM office right beside where we ate. We ate at the Crepe Breton, which was nice and chill. Good cafe au lait, and I had a super yummy crepe called the Tarzan - fried bananas and condensed milk. I barely missed the fact that there weren't any strawberry options as they weren't 'in season'. So good - I wish they had it back home, though I could do without all the tempting mango options.
Also had a spa day at the salon this morning with some of the aunts and my grandmother which was nice. Had a chill time having a mani pedi, and getting a haircut and blowout. Its so cheap here, I would do it daily, if traffic didnt make getting everywhere a huge pain. Though maybe with the home service option it would be feasible? Spent all my other time packing which was a pain. My stuff all fit, but only because I left so much of my things from back home behind.
Anyways I think I need to head to the boarding area. Nothing has come up about my flight officially, so Im a wee bit concerned. Nobody has paged me which is presumably a good sign?
Will post again from HKIA.
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