Cebu - Bohol Trip Recap
Day One: Off to Cebu
25 August 2011
One day two months ago, I received a call from my mom asking me if I wanted to travel with her to Cebu and Bohol provinces. I was surprised with the question because she didn't tell us any travel plans. Actually, the reason for the question was because they (she and her close friends at work) already booked flights and one of them backed out so mom was asking if I wanted to get the spare tickets so she can buy it from her friend. I told her yes.
Unfortunately, plane tickets aren't like bus tickets. Plane tickets have the name of the passengers printed on it, and passengers have to present at least an ID. Since the tickets they purchased the tickets at a promo rate, passengers weren't allowed to transfer the tickets - they could just re-schedule their flight. Right then, I told mom I'd won't come with there anymore, but mom insisted I'd come with them. With the help of my Uncle Pete, I was able to book my flights... but I chose my Manila-Cebu flight to be earlier than my mom and her friends' flight, because the 12:45pm flight was much cheaper than the 7:20pm flight - which mom and her friends booked.
25 August 2011, I left the house around 6:30am so I would have ample time. I arrived at the airport around 10:45am - still a lot of time to wait, but I always believe it was much better to be early at the airport and wait a long time than to worry about having limited time. When I checked-in for the flight, I asked the staff to give me a window seat behind the plane's wing. I specifically told him I want a seat on any of the 26, 27, 28 rows, but he told me the plane was big and the only seat available that fits my preference was 66A.
We boarded the plane around 12:30pm, and it was my first time to board such a big plane. Majority of the flights I took had six seats per row (3 seats | aisle | 3 seats), but this plane had 7 seats per row (2 seats | aisle | 3 seats | aisle | 2 seats). I was a bit surprised when a woman was already sitting on my seat, and when I told her I was given the 66A seat, she told me she she already fastened her seat belt and it would be a hassle to take it off and stand up so I could take my seat. She just asked me to take the aisle seat instead. The woman is the same age bracket as my mom, so I didn't push anymore - I took the aisle seat.
Near Cebu, the skies started to clear up. This was a blurred picture - the only window picture I took because my seat mate was always blocking the view. I just zoomed my camera to take this picture and thankful it came out okay - but yes, I agree the scratches on the window was an eyesore. :)
The plane reached the Mactan - Cebu International Airport after an hour. For a first time solo flyer, it was quite interesting how calm I was - no worries whatsoever about some things. I was so happy setting foot in Cebu again... but I had to wait around 7 hours for mom's flight to arrive.
I am not complaining... I chose the 12:45pm flight and I was happy to be where I was.
Flying solo? A check on My Bucket List.
Anyway... upon arrival, I noticed there were comfy seats, so instead of going out and look for ways to spend my first day in Cebu, I just stayed there and waited for mom's flight to arrive. I should be waiting for six hours as their departure time in Manila was initially at 6:20pm, but a day before the flight, they received a notice from Philippine Airlines that their flight will be moved to 7:20pm. Seven hours was a long time, but I entertained myself by reading a book (I brought "The Secret" with me), and watch people getting their luggage every time there was an arrival.
I didn't see any food places nearby, but thankful my sister packed 2 chicken sandwiches for me, which served as my late lunch/snacks that day. I was thankful that there was a coffee vendo, too, which dispenses a cup of coffee for 10 pesos (three coffee varieties to choose from - black, black with sugar, and sweet & creamy). This saved my wallet a few precious bucks - at least I didn't have to look for a coffee shop. :)
I was exchanging messages with mom the entire afternoon, and even if their flight left on time, their arrival was 45 minutes delayed. Instead of arriving 7:55pm, they arrived nearly 9pm. For our stay in Cebu, we all (mom was on the same flight with her friends at work and some of their family members) will stay at the house of tita Fe's sister, so upon their arrival, we quickly boarded the van so we could reach the house asap.
After some light dinner (it was late anyway), we all fixed ourselves to sleep. We have the full day tomorrow to tour around, and I am so excited to roam around Cebu again.
