Leaving Bangkok, Arriving Manila

We left the hotel a half hour earlier than planned; we were already eating breakfast at 5:30 am, even though the coffee shop should be open at 6 am, yet. But that was a good decision, though we had to miss Khun Jenny's invite to have breakfast with her.

That was a good decision though as the new airport is much further away from Evergreen Laurel Bangkok, which is located at Silom, than the old airport. Plus, we were not familiar with this location, too.


Well, we got lost looking for Thai Airway's counter and then we had to endure a long wait through the immigration. As in a very long wait where you could not even give the kids something to keep them busy because you have bags that are too heavy and you need to stay in line and you need to keep them on your line of vision as there were too many travelers that early!

After almost an hour of waiting, we got to move to our gate and on the plane. The kids, too excited and still very much sleepy, stretched out and slept. Good thing the flight was not full we've got the use of enough seats for us. But oh, the flight was real bumpy. I skipped the meals, and chugged down the drinks in one sitting as I dont want spills! And tried to sleep because a headache was really building up. And the kids slept thru the bumpiest flight I have ever been. Am glad it took only 3 hours!

In Manila, we were met by a Department of Tourism representative inside the airport's arrival area which made our walk through the immigration counter a breeze. We didnt get to join the long lines of arriving passengers. And although I wanted to meet my family immediately, we deemed it practical to arrange a hotel transfer from the airport so we could drop all our luggages and freshen up before heading home for dinner at the family home. That we did.



Photos on the left show the kids with their cousins and me with my siblings and our parents.

And here's the mouthwatering treats that assailed our senses as we walk through the streets to my parent's house: first photo is a vendor selling tokneneng which is really called kwek kwek to my amusement :D It is a battered, deep fried quail egg and the bananacue (second photo), which are deep fried bananas in caramelized sugar. Some of my delicious favorites and most missed things I am not allowed to eat anymore so I simply took photos.