Christmas Rush

What is your Christmas Rush? Last minute 'buy-this-buy-that'? For many years, that was how I would describe my "Christmas Rush". Lately though, it's been different. I hope this is a sign of progress hehe!

It was already 24DEC, and I was still in Tacloban due to important work-related commitments. But I earlier booked myself a flight home (to Cebu). Good they have noontime flights, and on big Airbuses. This happens (to Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines) only during Christmas and summer holidays.

First off, this is how I exited my Tacloban 'residence' going to the airport:

As many visitors to Region VIII would say, Eastern Visayas only has two seasons: Wet and Very Wet! Today, was somewhere between those two haha! But, all day yesterday until last night was very wet.

Anyway, my flight today was on the "yellow plane" - and probably a Christmas Gift from above.
Why? Because the plane was either new or newly-cleaned. Why does it matter? Well, this was one rare instance where my camera (phone) had a wonderfully clear and crisp view of the outside - the window on my 'emergency exit' seat did not have too many scratches! I even said "this must be some miracle"!

Did you know? The overwing emergency exit window of an Airbus A320/A319 has the most scratches among this type of airplane's windows. That is probably because these windows are detachable from the fuselage - ito yung itatapon mo palabas during emergencies na naka-drawing sa safety instruction cards - so that during maintenance checks, when these are removed, maintenance folks probably just put these on the ground without care. Well, who knows, baka iniitsa talaga nila ang mga yan, to check!

The blues of the sky and the sea, made beautiful by the whites and grays of the clouds...
aerial view of Olango Island
After many take-offs and landings, this has so far been my clearest view of Olango Island from above!

I also got a clearer view of the island hopping destinations off Mactan...
aerial view of Cawhagan, Cabul-an, Nalusuan and Gilutongan Islands off Mactan
The dark strip out on the horizon and those little islands at upper left of picture are all parts of Bohol.

And finally the city... I can see the tower of SM Seaside!
aerial view of Cebu City during landing

Foreground is part of Cordova (Kalawisan). White boat in the middle is Delta Philippine Dream 😁
aerial view of Cebu City and parts of Codova during landing

Basak Lapu-lapu City, wala lagi trapik! Aw kay udto! Right edge of photo is end of Runway 22...


Touchdown Mactan Cebu International Airport!
view from the runway of Mactan Cebu International Airport
Look, that magnified area is the construction of Terminal 2. Yup it has started, hope it finishes soon!

Big simple parol at the baggage claim area. Ahh, Merry Christmas Sugbu!
arrival area luggage carousel at Mactan Cebu Domestic Airport
As early as this part of the conveyor area, I could already see a Christmas Tree that fascinated me!

This cute little Christmas Tree at the exit door:


Oh well, Merry Christmas!

Previous
Next

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE BOULEVARD, Surigao City

Image
Virtually everyone in Surigao City is related to this boulevard directly or indirectly! It's such a big thing , they even have a Surigao City Boulevard Development Program and a Surigao City Development Authority . I'm not joking. Those are for real. As in! Involved in it are not only their local politicians but also the chambers of commerce. What is it anyway? Foremost it's a 1.8 kilometer stretch of a highway along the seafront. The concrete pavement tells me it is still new. That is it! Walang basagan ng trip! It is an emulation (kumbaga sa Tagalog pa: gaya-gaya ) of Roxas Boulevard in Manila, or pwede rin Dumaguete’s Rizal Boulevard - and many other seafront boulevards. Aside from being a “park” for the residents, it is supposed to be an attraction in the city, showcasing whatever bla-blah-blah to attract tourists from everywhere on earth. While I was inclined to raise my eyebrows, it did attract me. I was a tourist, right?! So okay, without a speck of d
Read more

Balantak Falls

Image
I haven't heard about this waterfall until I was already moments away from being there! And I have no regrets whatsoever. Ah, sometimes, beautiful surprises do happen to my itchy feet. Sometimes haha! For me who had seen many a waterfall, this one would seem nothing to shout to the world about. But being there was mesmerizingly refreshing enough. How tall is it? I'm not sure, but see my habal-habal driver on lower ground and compare his height to that of the waterfall. You should get a hint, at least! Discovering Balantak Falls How I found-out about Balantak Falls ! I was in Brgy. Guirang (pronounced gi-rung) in Basey Samar, for another round of "work-related work"! While walking-around by the entrance to the barangay's main residential area, I happened to see this: A fairly new hut and open on all sides, so I asked them what it is. They said it's a waiting shed. I asked further 'who would wait here' since I knew there are no commuter jeeps in t
Read more

THE Ride from Tuguegarao to Sta. Ana

Image
Alrightee folks! I traveled from Tuguegarao to the northern-most town of Cagayan Valley, that is, Sta. Ana. And, Oh My Gee! I never expected this "mode" of transportation! It was a van, yes. The type and style that we call "UV Express" all over the country. But not the usual that I have seen, even in the more remote areas of the Visayas and Mindanao. This ride was on a piece of "flying junk" hahaha! It started like this... the night before I check-out at Hotel Roma, I asked the friendly front desk staff if there was a better way to go to Sta. Ana. than riding the bus. The very helpful suggestion was, I ride the vans instead of the bus, because, they are purportedly faster and more comfortable. Okay, I thought I would do just that. Staff even told me to remind them during check-out that I'm taking a UV Express commute to Sta. Ana. I did just that. The eager staff went out with me to front of the hotel. He hailed a trike for me and gave instructions t
Read more