A quickie in Manila

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Now that I have your attention, perhaps a more correct name would be "A quickie to Manila", after all I was in the Philippines for only 34 or so hours.

I flew up on QF29 on Sunday evening, arrived bright and early at HKG ready for a transfer to CX907 bound for MNL. I left there last night on QF20, the direct service to SYD, will be here until tomorrow night, when I head back home to MEL. All in all, a bit of a whirlwind tour. I have quite a few photos to share and some interesting experiences in Manila, both at the Airport and in the city. I don't have time to write them up now, but hopefully later today I will find some time to share.

As a tempter, I will include information about the lounges at MNL including photos - I trialed the QF, the CX-J and the CX-F lounge while waiting for QF20 to depart, so stay tuned.

 

[moa999]

now if the quicky included a quick pickup of a DONE (and no thats not something found in the Merkati district) I would be more interested! But mind you - lounge photos are always appreciated

 

[dot]

now if the quicky included a quick pickup of a DONE (and no thats not something found in the Merkati district) I would be more interested! But mind you - lounge photos are always appreciated

Gimme a break! I only got back from a DONE4 last Monday! I don't need to do another one just yet...

 

[thegurio]

As a tempter, I will include information about the lounges at MNL including photos - I trialed the QF, the CX-J and the CX-F lounge while waiting for QF20 to depart, so stay tuned.

Dont forget QF009's patented feet shots!

 

[Keith009]

I suspect that I'm getting a reputation around here.....:shock:

 

[serfty]

I suspect that I'm getting a reputation around here.....:shock:

Not you silly! ...


... 'tis your feet gettin' the reputation!

 

[Evan]

Well we are all waiting to here
I may get the pleasure soon myself and any hints are welcome.
E

 

[dot]

Ok - sorry for the delay in posting - I've had a really hectic two days in Syd. I am currently sitting in the SYD QP waiting for my QF487 to depart - now scheduled for a 2115 departure - 1:15 late! Oh well, I'll see how much I get done before my battery dies or my flight is called.

I think I might do this a bit out of order, so it might be a bit like Pulp fiction as you read this, but I am very tired and the only thing I can think to put down right now is about the lounge experiences at MNL. I am sure I will think of other things to write after this entry, so if it posts out of order, so be it.

The Airport at MNL as more security than any other airport I have ever been to. On entering the terminal, there is a security point (metal detector and bag x-ray), check in, then pay my 750 peso departure tax, clear immigration (Thanks APEC - queue on the far right), then another security check (metal detector and bag x-ray). After leaving the lounge(s) and arriving at the gate, there was yeat another security check (manual inspection of bags and pat down) - unbelievable.

Anyway - to the business at hand and what you all want to see - the lounges...

First, I figured I would check out the QF lounge. It's small. It's bright and cheery. It's not packed, but it was difficult finding a seat separate from the other pax. Have a look for yourself:

They had hardly any beer in the fridge (San Miguel) and the food and other drinks were fairly lean too. I scoffed a beer, samples the food - nnot so good and decided the grass might be greener in the CX lounge. So off I trotted. Not far to walk though, there are right next door to each other. The CX door attendant dutifully welcomed me and noted down my QFF number on a "Other airlines charge sheet".

The advantage of the CX lounge is that there are in fact two of them - J and F. The J lounge was not packed, but well occupied. I looked over the food and grog - not much different to the QF offering - and decided to head straight into the F lounge. This lounge has a much more relaxed feel to it and was noticeably cooler than the rest of the airport - a welcome relief from the hot and humid weather in Manila. The F Lounge had a steamer with Dim Sum, which was regularly changed, so I helped myself to a nice serve. Here are some photos

As both the CX and QF flights were late and the QF flight quite a bit later than the last CX flight, I had the lounges to myself for the last 30 mins or so - it's a bit of an strange feeling - being the only one there... these photos are after all the CX pax left

 

[dot]

Now - for the CX J lounge. It was a bit brighter than the Flounge, and a bit bigger:

For those who (like me) like to look at the plaines, here is a shot of the B767 that took us from MNL to SYD

And some photos on approach into SYD

Enjoy!

PS. I still have lots of stuff to get down, but this is all I will get to tonight I guess.

 

[drron]

Now Manilla is not a place i will ever have a quickie.went once for a conference a few years ago.Stayed at the Sheraton and on the first night a fellow was gunned down on the front steps.The next night the police did a sting-invited some known crims to a banquet and when they were all seated dropped the curtains and machine gunned the lot.Things on the street were a bit tense.not going back.

 

[dot]

I'll admit to a great deal of trepidation while in Manila - the fact that every building you enter has a guard checking bags, having to enter the hotel (Crowne Plaza) through a metal detector and baggage check, cops walking around with nickel plated sawn-off shotguns with pistol grips slung across their chests (at the airport and around the streets). Reports of a recent bank robbery where the thieves mercilessly murdered ten people in the bank to prevent any witnesses identifying them didn't do anything to ease my feelings. While I didn't see anything untoward happen, I certainly did feel more tense there.

It's an interesting discussion to have - what are your thoughts about going to potentially dangerous or deadly(if you happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time) destination for your employer?

I work for a large multinational firm and was recently asked to go to Indonesia. Indonesia is currently on our internal restricted travel list (which means I need country GM approval to travel there) but more importantly, DFAT have marked Indonesia as "Reconsider your need to travel" - see the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) web site for Indonesia.

The internal company restrictions, I can live with - I know that these listings are not re-evaluated that frequently, and are there as a precaution... but the DFAT site is the one that really got me worried. To quote the web site:

• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports indicating that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including Western interests and places frequented by foreigners. If you are in Indonesia, including Bali, and are concerned for your safety you should consider departing. If you do decide to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, you should exercise extreme caution.

• There have been recent arrests of high level terrorist operatives in Indonesia, but we assess terrorists are continuing active planning of attacks. These attacks could take place at any time and could be imminent. Australians should consider this information carefully when considering travel to Indonesia. Particular care should be taken at this time to avoid known terrorist targets (see Terrorism section below).

• Terrorist attacks against Westerners in Bali and Jakarta indicate that these areas are a priority target for terrorists in Indonesia. Suicide attacks against locations frequented by foreigners in Bali and Jakarta have killed and injured many people. Locations that might be targets include Jakarta, Bali and Batam. However, terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia against a wide range of possible targets, in particular places frequented by foreigners.

As an Australian who has never been to Indonesia, but has heard many stories going back many years about violence in Indonesia, police corruption, and more recently, terrorist attacks aimed at Australians in Bali (2) and Jakarta (embassy bombing), reading the above bullet points on the DFAT site made me very wary of travelling to Indonesia.

The local ASEAN sales rep (who is a Kiwi living in Singapore) who asked me to go told me that he felt very comfortable going to Jakarta and that 'you only need to worry if all the expats start leaving'. Surely the point of terrorist attacks is that they are surprise attacks, so there would be no mass exodus of expats prior to some form of terrorism activity in Jakarta. I would imagine times like election campaigns would be when the expats depart, not prior to a bombing that they would not know about.

Mrs Dot has said that she will not allow me to travel to such a risky place - and my brain tells me that is the right choice. But - and you knew there was a but coming, didn't you? - I still feel like a bit of a wimp for not going, and I feel guilty for not being able to support the customer as well as I possibly could.

As for the Philippines, DFAT rate it as "High degree of caution" See Travel Advice for Philippines - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade -which prompts the question, If Manila rated at a lesser risk than Jakarta how much worse is Indonesia? I think the trip to the Philippines has reinforced my decision not to travel to Indonesia.:shock:

 

[dot]

Oh - yes. I know my previous post is not really on topic, but my trip to Manila did bring these personal safety thoughts to the fore once again.

PS. Sorry, but no feet shots. I am afraid that if I did them, I would be in breach of QF009's pending patent.

 

[Evan]

I have been to Indonesia a few times including Jakata a couple of times in the late 90's when it was apparently really bad, people being killed on the islands etc.
At the time i felt a little uneasy for my first trips but realised with good planning (ie the right driver etc and hotels) it seemed fine.

I may have to go again anyway for work... as a rule our company observes the DFAT info and looks at it closely if it was marked reconsider your need to travel, anything below that is not even worth blinking at since i think they seem to rate very high.

E

 

[TonyD]

The next night the police did a sting-invited some known crims to a banquet and when they were all seated dropped the curtains and machine gunned the lot.Things on the street were a bit tense.not going back.

Sounds like an urban myth to me, Manila ain't the "wild west".
Having been to them all I feel much safer wandering around the city and markets in manila than Bangkok, KL, Denpasar or Jakarta

 

[straitman]

Sounds like an urban myth to me, Manila ain't the "wild west".
Having been to them all I feel much safer wandering around the city and markets in manila than Bangkok, KL, Denpasar or Jakarta

I don't know about Manila, however if we were talking about Durban, South Africa I'd certainly believe the story.

 

[Keith009]

This is all making me nervous about my upcoming trip which incorporates both Manila AND Bali. :shock:

Then again, so many people have been to both places, especially the latter, without untoward incident. So I guess I'd take my chances.

I mean, a meteorite could always fall on to the airport while I'm sitting in the lounge... or there could be a car accident on the way to the airport etc etc....

 

[Evan]

Keith, Just remember common sense, As i said i have been to a lot of these places and never felt un-safe as such. Just dont go wantering the dark streets at night if you know what i mean.
With Jakata if you plan on leaving the airport make sure you have pre-booked a driver, no other option (i don't use the hotel transfers, i always booked my own driver).
Can't comment on Bali, have not been for many years.

Manilla... seems ok.
Brazil gives this feeling of a super high crime country with all the fences and check at entrances but really feels reasonably safe (i was not in Sao Palo)
South Africa.... Depends a lot on where you are i think, i have many SA freinds who say its bad and many who say its ok, i think its just a matter of where you are and what your doing.

E

 

[Keith009]

Can't comment on Bali, have not been for many years.

My room rate at the hotel I'm staying at in Bali (The Elysian Villas) includes a meet and greet service upon deplaning, and airport transfers both ways. ^

Plus I'd be in Seminyak which looks relatively safe. I've been advised to use a taxi to go anywhere rather than walking.

As an aside, everyone's favourite AAgent at the ATW desk has also offered to give me contact details of a friend who organises tours and transportation in Bali; a few FTers have used him and found his services highly satisfactory - so something to consider.

Heard the same thing about South Africa, though most comments about crime relate to JNB. There's even a possibility of getting mugged in that 5 minute walk between international and domestic terminals at JNB airport. :shock: Cape Town is relatively safe from what I hear; a couple of friends were there recently on that MH mistake fare and loved it.

 

[dot]

I'll admit that I had a feeling I might open a can of worms wrt travelling to countries on the DFAT reconsider or do not travel lists - and really, my dilemma is not so much related to travelling to these countries, but travelling to them on behalf of your employer. That is - does your employer have the right to ask you to travel to these higher risk locations?

Well... back to the TR. As I said, a bit out of order... My departure form MEL on QF29 afforded me the opportunity to again sample the MEL Flounge. I decided to try the Minute Steak that so many seem to go for - to my mind though, it was too tough and a bit disappointing. I tried the Moet & Chandon Rose having not had it before - quite a nice drop and I think I will have it again when next I visit the SYD or MEL Flounge. On boarding to sit in my favourite 16K upstairs, I noticed that this aircraft has 22 seats upstairs and the FA Jumpseats are on the RH side (as opposed to the 24 seat versions which have the FA Jumpseats on the LH side). This was in contrast to my last 744 flight LAX-AKL just six days prior. I am wondering if the Pacific 744s are 24 seats upstairs, while the kangaroo 744s have the 22 seats?

The flight got away nearly on time, but arrived into HKG about 20 mins early at 5:30am local time. That gave me a bit of extra room to have a shower at the CX F lounge (I was expecting the CX to MNL to depart from gate sixty something and to use the Pier lounge, but instead it left from gate 3 - right outside the Wing lounge so I headed straight there after the security checkpoint) and was (once again) disappointed with the showers in the Wing lounge. Every time I use the showers there the temperature fluctuates wildly from piping hot to cold - the pressure is lousy - I think I will shower at the QF FLounge in future and eat at Wing.

CX907 HKG-MNL was a new configuration 744 with the herringbone J seats - my first experience if these new seats. I had called CX on the Friday prior to arrange a seat upstairs (82A) but on boarding, the upper desk was nearly deserted. There were two other pax upstairs and the FA suggested that I could sit anywhere! I've got a couple of photos of the upper deck - you will see what I mean about being deserted.

These shots were taken about four mins before pushback.

Due to the relatively short nature of the flight, I was surprised to have the new seats on the flight - perhaps they use the HKG-MNL as a filler to keep the aircraft occupied in-between HKG-LHR runs. I did try reclining - just to try it out. While I like the pillows, I am not a fan of the fully flat seats. When fully reclined, I really felt like my head was going downhill. All I can put it down to is the angle of attack. I find the same thing when travelling in a forward facing BA Club World - which is why I prefer the rear facing seats (aside from the fact that the rear facing seats get the window views). The other thing I dislike about these new CX seats is the near impossibility of looking out the windows for any longer than a few seconds. I guess you could recline the seat and lie on your front to look out, but that's not an option on take off or landing.

Next stop - chaos at MNL

 

[dot]

On arrival in MNL, the immigration queues were quite small - and the APEC BT Card queue was empry, so I headed straight for it. Cleared immigration quickly and straight through the customs nothing to declare path.

The first think I noticed was a lack of people in the area after customs. There were security guards at the entrances, but few others. Not the mass of people holding up signs and crowds looking for loved ones. Odd I thought, then I saw a sign saying something like "arrivals extension area" directing me across a road, so out of the arrivals hall I go - past a guard at the door. I realise that I don't have any cash, spot a bank inside and go to re-enter the arrivals hall - the guard says no, I cannot go back in once I have left. I was expecting a transfer from the hotel, so I didn't have an immediate need for cash, so I figured it could wait.

Oh well, over the road and down a ramp to the arrivals extension area. there are areas with signs instructing pax to wait according to surname, so off I dutifully head to my surname's area. There I waited for 30 mins - no sign of anyone from the Crowne plaza... hmmm this is not looking right. I give the hotel a call from my mobile, they tel me to head to the Europcar counter... didn't see that on the way to the extension area. I walk back, and hunt around. Finally find the Europcar counter, but no sign of Crowne Plaza signage... as I am walking back to see if I missed some other sign, a guy jogs up and asks form me by name. Finally! He takes me to the opposite end form the Europcar counter. The Europcar counter is at the far left on exiting the arrivals hall, but I should have gone to the far right. There were no signs to indicate this. Very frustrating when I was planning to get straight to the office and waste as little time as possible.

Lessons learned...