Philippine Travel Notes

This air route has been on for a time now. It started as a regular route via a hype-up (or command?) of the president (Duterte) to decongest MNL by moving some flights to CRK. Was that 2016? I guess so. Hmm, before I proceed, let us do some 'tsismis'.., I heard, many stakeholders in/at/of Region VIII were vehemently opposed to the Department of Transportation picking TAC as one of the cities with flights to/from NAIA that would be transferred to Clark. How vehement? Ah, many of them (such as business chambers) trooped to their lawmakers or leaders that be, for the needed intercession to Malacañang! Lo and behold.., by the end of 2016August, the Regional Development Council VIII (RDC8) submitted a resolution to the DOTr declaring opposition to making MNL-TAC-MNL flights become CRK-TAC-CRK. I remember there was even an online (hashtag) campaign for this - the #NoToClarkForTaclobanFlights. So what happened? Interesting! At first, all 3 airlines (PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Asi...

Let's continue on that previous story... Domestic Arrival at Siem Reap So I arrived at Siem Reap via a domestic flight from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I was only transferring at this airport - to an international flight bound for Hanoi, Vietnam. A lovely day. Most passengers (include me) could not help but shoot a pic "or more"! This red roofed building (the original) is now called Terminal 2 - Domestic Terminal . Expansions were done in 2006. The newer structures are to the right (not in photo). I looked to that right for this "from the tarmac view" of T1 - International Terminal . Nostalgia-evoking, as it nears closure, in favor of their new airport rising farther east . You probably didn't know... As of this writing, this airport is " the last remaining " in all of Southeast Asia, that is: " purely single-level " (horizontal edifice, no escalator nor aerobridge, what for anyway?) ; still used for " international fligh...

Another air travel day. Flying PNH to REP then HAN all in a day. Yep, flying from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (just in transit), then onwards to Hanoi. I would have wanted to roam a day or 2 in Siem Reap, but circumstances won't allow. To PNH Airport Anyway, the 45min ride from Toyoko Inn to Phnom Penh International Airport was a breeze (I guess hehe). I say that because the car just swiftly cruised along the road. No traffic jams. Uneventful. I even got to watch (and take pics) of things like this: We already talked about that mode of transport, like here and here , right? Observing them during this visit made me think they're not really a nuisance or disturbance on big roads, like those in Thailand or India. I now think it depends on - ah many things! But let's not discuss that here. Otherwise, this story of a quick domestic flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap will become very long hahaha! Basta, they're ok in PNH. Probably their being on "ride-hail...