Iloilo Tripping Part 2

Day 4
The weather took a slight turn for the better. After having luncheon meat, egg, and fried rice for breakfast, we set off to visit nanay’s grave site around 8am. We were escorted by Lola Ayak, Auntie Judith, Jurome, Noynoy, Kayla and Francis. Visitors were still scarce in Dingle Public Cemetery but the place was already abuzz with workers tidying up the place for the coming “undas”.

Nanay’s grave is still in the same barren state we left it last year. Not for long. My brother-in-law, Nelson, and I made arrangements to have this situation remedied. We miss you Nanay! Rest in Peace!

After eating lunch, we bade Lola Ayak and the rest of the Tingsons adieu! If hospitality had a surname I’d say is has got to be Tingson!

The weather was gloomy and we took the first opportunity to get going before the rain starts again! Unfortunately, we did not have the luxury of hiring an air-conditioned transportation for the kids so we had to settle with a jeepney. Good thing Noynoy was gracious enough to accompany us until Jaro City and help us with the luggage! Daghang salamat, Noynoy!

We took a taxi from Jaro City to Century 21 hotel. We booked for a standard room (since it’s the only room available), reserved a room for Nelson for his arrival tomorrow, freshened up a bit and went to SM City Iloilo to buy pasalubongs! We bought the usual stuff: “biscocho”, “pinasugbo”, “barquillas”, “piyaya”, toasted muffins, and a couple of souvenir shirts.

Day 5
It was an early morning for us. Woke up at 5:30am, got my dose of a long hot bath and started packing up my things.

Ceasar, the taxi driver, arrived at 7:15am. We took our last minute pictures on the hotel lobby and off we went to the airport.

7:55 Am. We bid Ceasar good bye and thanked him for his excellent service.

Tim saw his very first, up close airplane, when Air Philippines air bus landed around 8:15am. As usual, Tim’s voice was the only one heard in the airport! It was a big playground for him and he ran from one end of the airport to the other! I tell you, this boy has got a LOT of energy!!

We only ate left over pizza from the previous night for breakfast so when we finally got settled in the airport, our tummies started grumbling. Good thing there was this coffee shop which offers affordable pastries and extra strong java to boot! The name of the stall is JO Coffee Shop.

Justine on the other hand, sat quietly as he stank up the place with a huge dump! He was, hands down, the best baby in the airport---mainly because HE WAS THE ONLY BABY in the airport!!

9:42 am. Well what do you know, two babies enter the terminal---sorry, STILL NO CONTEST!

The PA announced the boarding orders for Cebu Pacific flight 454 bound for Manila at 10:15 am. Justine was already asleep when we boarded so we only had to contend with Tim and his tantrums. Fortunately, his conniption came out in the latter part of the flight.

I have been flying Cebu Pacific for personal travels and have not participated in their in-flight game. This time was different. The category for the game was famous movie lines. Being a movie buff I found it hard not to join. Actually, I tried closing my eyes to the commotion but when I heard the first line, “May the force…”---I immediately jolted from my oblivion and raised my hand! For all I knew I was the first! Kreesa, the stewardess, may have thought I was asleep and was staring far at the back---darn! That movie was “Star Wars”! Then came the second movie line, “Life is like…” There would be no missing me this time as I raised my hand high in the air! “Forrest Gump!” That earned me a Cebu Pacific pouch! Not contented, I raised my hand once more to snare the third and last movie line, “I can see dead people!” Unfortunately, the crew did not mention the undeclared rule that you can only win once---so the price went to another passenger! Bummer! At least I won!

We landed at NAIA Terminal 3 at 11:45 am. I was supposed to take pictures of the pretty Cebu Pacific stewardesses but they seemed to have vanished when the door opened. Actually, there was one left but I wanted to get all three in one shot. Maybe next time!

This is the first time that I de-planed in this terminal. One thing I can say about the place is that, “It’s huge!” The length of the walk from tarmac to the luggage claiming area was about 4x the length of Terminal 2! Anyway, vacation is over! Hoping to do this again next year!

Iloilo Tripping!

My wife was not able to attend her mother's funeral in Iloilo last year due to her pregnancy so I promised her that I will bring her there on the event of nanay's 1st year death anniversary. And so, from October 27-31, we did just that!

Day 1
Well, it’s 11:51 in the evening of October 27 on board Super Ferry 9 bound for Iloilo. Got me a stateroom for the missus, Tim, Justine, and Colleen. They’re asleep now---happily I should say---given the aircon, tv, and a solo bathroom at their convenience! Unfortunately, leaving the others behind is giving me pangs of loneliness…okay, okay---guilt! Specially after I heard that Carl was crying after the send off entourage was on their way home. If Chesca was very vocal about her protest regarding her being left behind and Ringo’s unemotional aplomb, Carl was deadpan and detached about the whole situation---so we thought! Anyway, Chesca and Carl were supposed to be part of the trip. Unfortunately, I got late in booking for a six bed cabin. Why not economy or tourist? The fare is cheaper, yes, but you’ve got no privacy at all! Not to mention a common bath and a negligible air-conditioning system! Besides, it’s a 21 hour boat ride so might as well travel with some style!

Day 2
Aside from the above mentioned perks of going stateroom are the “no line” meal and the reserved table. Looking at the long queue at the economy and tourist I do believe I made the right choice. Sad thing is---the food sucks!

I had the chance to roam around the facilities. According to Jasmine the Front Desk, the best Super Ferry boats are 15, 16, and 17. So far, the best SF boat I got to board on was #12. The presence of escalators says that it is a big boat! It is unfortunate that there isn’t a new boat travelling the Iloilo route, so, we ended up with #9. You can tell that it’s old just by looking at it! Not much to entertain your self in except for the karaoke bar in the dining area and the over priced convenience store!

The prerequisite for the room is a private bath, so it’s either cabin or stateroom. When I took the rounds of the place, I stopped by the common bathroom and though it may not look too shabby, the smell was something else! Another justification for the rooming I chose!

We arrived at the port of Iloilo at 7:35pm. Since disembarking was not favorable with two kids in tow plus a laptop, a big suitcase, and a trolley bag, I decided to get a porter to do the heavy lifting @ Php 200. I was not in the bargaining mood and settled with the guy mainly because of his gently manners. The van fare was hefty at Php 150 considering that the meter only got to Php 55 from port to the Century 21 Hotel. Anyway, it was a nice cool van and Ceasar was a smooth driver. I eventually decided to hire him again for our trip to Dingle tomorrow.

After cajoling Tim to get in the elevator---boy, he really broke the silence of the hotel with his tantrum---we finally got to settle in. SM Delgado was just around the corner and I did some last minute addition to our travelling provisions.

Tomorrow afternoon we will be setting off for San Matias, Dingle.


Day 3
Brrrr! Was the aircon COLD! Woke up with my throat parched!
Jhoy and Justine was already awake by 7:15am. After a Jollibee breakfast, a fast drop by at SM Delgado to replenish supplies (normally consisting of water, diaper and a whole lot of junk food), and ordering room service for lunch, we set off for Dingle.

We arrived at San Matias around 1:30pm and was met by Lola Ayak, Auntie Judith, and Auntie Ne-ing all of whom gave us a tearful welcome accompanied by a litany of Visayan I could not understand.

We were suppose to go to the cemetery late in the afternoon but it rained and we decided to there tomorrow instead.

The highlight of the afternoon was Tim getting attached to a chicken! Tim has been fond of chickens for so long it was a real treat for him to actually hold one. Good thing about this chicken is that she doesn’t care how many times Tim grabs to pick her up---she just lets it be without pecking back! My worry is if Tim decides to take the chicken home with us!

Also with us during this time were Noynoy and his children Kayla and Francis, Jurome, and Kuya Roming.

Day 4 and 5 to be continued tomorrow...