As I sit in the Tokyo airport awaiting me next flight in the journey from Davao Philippines to Wilmington NC I feel motivated to share my experience thus far. The journey Started at 1255PM as I boarded free marina shuttle for the 25 min ride to the ferry. We did not hit any dogs sleeping in the road. We also managed to miss the goats wandering aimlessly as goats want to do. Several close encounters with motorized tricycles and motorbikes with 4 or more passengers added spice to the ride. Do don the shuttle driver gently beeped his horn between 50-100 times during the short ride keeping disaster at bay. Since I am barely able to walk I got the preferred seat up front while all the rest of my sailing buddies rode on the back on bench seats hunched down with no view. Upon arrival at the ferry I hobbled the 100 meters from the shuttle to the boarding ramp dragging my luggage and carrying my backpack. I left the bag with the vehicles and slowly climbed to the passenger level where I could watch my bag. After an uneventful and very pretty ferry ride I was back to lugging my stuff to the taxi pickup. As I was much slower than the rest of the ferry traffic the few remaining cabs pulled away leaving me behind. Much hollering and waving by me and armed security guards finally got the attention of a driver and he backed up a long ways to pick me up. After asking him to open the trunk and then having to ask him to help me put the bag in the trunk as I leaned on my walking stick for balance I concluded he was either low on ambition or IQ or both. A short by distance, and long by time, ride got me to the highlight of the journey thus far. A 1 1/2 hour massage with hot tub until u are a raisin costs 650 Pasos. At 44 Pasos per USD u do the math. It is a good deal and a great way to start a 24 hour airline adventure. My two hour flight to Manila was uneventful but delayed 5 hours due to the original flight cancellation to accommodate the Pope. When I arrived in Manila it was a zoo due to the Popes visit. Security, security, security, traffic, traffic, ... My dive hotel, selected by cost, proximity to airport and free shuttle service, proved an adventure. When I checked in I was offered an upgrade to a room with shower for an additional 1000 Pasos. I took the deal because the place looked so rough I was afraid My stuff would disappear while I was in the shower down the hall. Shower was great but no hot water. Like I said it was a dive. Slept great, good mattress, much better than Challenger. Shuttle got me to the right place on time and all worked out OK. I was sweating bullets that I would be sent to purgatory because my middle name on the ticket was M and my passport says Martin. A senior moment when buying the ticket on line! A very poised and pretty flight agent checked me in without a hitch. I was in a wheelchair which is a great way to go in a rowed confusing airport. The wheelchair driver knows where he is going and has a lot of shortcuts that the walking public cannot use. Japan airlines flight was great and food was good. Hope the next leg on American is half as good.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:28:30 +0000
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