A few months back, Mr. and Mrs. Post said they wanted to visit us in Hong Kong. Right off the bat, we decided we should plan to take a side trip as there really isn't more than a few days worth of things to see in Hong Kong and Mrs. Post had already seen them once before. We all threw out some ideas and finally settled on a place Melissa and I visited in April 2009 - Boracay in the Philippines. Winning combination - white sand beach, crystal clear (clean) water, powdery soft white sand, and warm water... and oh yeah CHEAP! After we found some cheap flights from Hong Kong to Kilbo, the neighboring island to Boracay, the Posts were all in.
As the trip came closer and closer I became more and more concerned as the Philippines seems to get hit with every typhoon! Just the week prior to our trip, one hit the northern islands.. and the week of the trip, another typhoon was brewing to the west of the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Posts didn't have time to adjust to Hong Kong. Melissa picked them up from the airport and just 12 hours later, we were all boarding a plane bound for the Philippines. We connected in Clark (north Manila) and when the plane touched down Melissa and I got a little concerned as it was raining...heavily!
Before we would be able to board our connecting domestic flight, we needed to pay an airport departure tax. Fine, it was only US$3. As we hadn't changed any money yet, we went over to the money change counter - the lights were on but it was not attended. We waited for a bit and then after a while, we asked a security lady who informed us that there was only one person to work all of the currency desks at the airport and they were currently at the counter on the international terminal side (not the domestic terminal, where we were).
After another 10 minutes waiting with Mrs Post, I finally decided to head over to the international terminal and try to use that currency desk. As I tried to re-enter the international terminal, I was stopped by another security guard. I tried to explain the situation, but didn't seem to get anywhere. As I kept explaining the situation louder and louder, it finally got the attention of the person manning the currency exchange desk who changed my money...while I had to stand at the door. Needless to say this was not the greatest start to our relaxing vacation!
After another 10 minutes waiting with Mrs Post, I finally decided to head over to the international terminal and try to use that currency desk. As I tried to re-enter the international terminal, I was stopped by another security guard. I tried to explain the situation, but didn't seem to get anywhere. As I kept explaining the situation louder and louder, it finally got the attention of the person manning the currency exchange desk who changed my money...while I had to stand at the door. Needless to say this was not the greatest start to our relaxing vacation!
Luckily, by the time we walked out to our next plane, the rain had stopped and we thought we might have just caught a break!
After arriving in Kilbo, we had to arrange transport from the airport to our hotel in Borcay. At the transfer desk we were informed that the bus ride would be 2 hours (ugh!) We were handed an envelope with 4 sets of a dozen tickets for various taxes that would be collected along the way. Yes, if you come to the Philippines it is cheap but the government will nickel and dime you all the way. There is one person to collect the money, another person to issue you the ticket and another person to collect the ticket.. all for a $3 tax but they will do this at every airport and ferry terminal...
Finally the bus arrived at the ferry terminal and we could see Boracay off in the distance along with our first Borcay sunset! By the time we made it to the hotel, it was dark and we were all hungry so we dropped our bags off in the rooms and headed straight out for dinner. At this point, we weren't picky and just looked for the first restaurant that had customers and looked half way decent.
The first thing I did as soon as we sat down was introduce Mr. Post to one of the Philippines' best export...San Miguel beer! We had some fresh grilled seafood, a few more beers, a quick walk down to the beach, then it was off to bed as we had another big day ahead of us.
Finally the bus arrived at the ferry terminal and we could see Boracay off in the distance along with our first Borcay sunset! By the time we made it to the hotel, it was dark and we were all hungry so we dropped our bags off in the rooms and headed straight out for dinner. At this point, we weren't picky and just looked for the first restaurant that had customers and looked half way decent.
The first thing I did as soon as we sat down was introduce Mr. Post to one of the Philippines' best export...San Miguel beer! We had some fresh grilled seafood, a few more beers, a quick walk down to the beach, then it was off to bed as we had another big day ahead of us.
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