September 30 – October 2
At last the long first day has arrived.
Not sure what time zone, physical space or culture I am occupying. Over night flight Heathrow to Dubai meant about 3 hours sleep for a quick rendevous with Tim’s stepdaughter and her boyfriend and dog. Dubai seen from a very nice fast car with leather seats was new, shiny and growing. Gated residences with pools and golf based country clubs are beautiful but a bit surreal. Welcome break in air travel though before the next 9 or so hours.
Next flight from Dubai to Manila is delayed 3 hours which makes getting the connecting Airswift flight to our first accomodation (specifically planned to be perfect for decompressing and relaxing) very tight. Things are a little quiet (aka tense) although we both keep reminding ourselves that it is no use stressing as we have little control and this is all part of the fun!! Still, I have checked us in and we have researched the route to the transfer bus terminal 1 to terminal 4. Also have to get cash on way in case the transfer bus is not there and we need a cab- well no one said this would be restful. If it all comes together we WILL be relaxing by Nacpan beach this time tomorrow. Last minute anxiety rush when scales appeared at the Dubai departure gate. Goodness knows how I got through with 14kg of hand luggage but let’s hope that is not all the travel luck used up.
Philippines Air to Manila was basic but fine – the plane was full, but quiet. My expectations of charging my phone and watching a film were dashed – it was a bit more basic than the BA flight we took from London! Still worrying over catching the final connection ..
However, it turns out that Ninoy Aquino Airport is a tourist’s (sorry, we’re not tourists, we’re travellers) dream. We sail through the airport and security and straight past baggage into the main airport, where Tim proceeds to discover that none of his debit cards will work in any of the ATMs (mine do though!). Picked up a SIM card and grabbed a taxi to Terminal 4 (there’s a bus, but we were still in a rush) and made it to the terminal with an hour to spare.
Terminal 4 – the domestic terminal – is very basic. Tim found some more ATMs that didn’t work. We had to check in our bags, but it was nice to relieved of the burden for a while. Turns out WH Smiths are everywhere.
And eventually Tim found an ATM that did work – BPI is recommended!
Apparently we flew in a turbo-prop plane from Manila to El Nido. Not big but very bouncy. Sat next to an American tourist who made the sign of the cross as we took off and then applauded when we landed – albeit in a restrained fashion as she was only 1 of 2 Americans on the flight.Arrived at Lio airport – its literally both in the jungle and on the beach – we had made it!
I’d arranged a private transfer on the advice of youngest daughter and after 36 hours travelling we were incredibly grateful I had! The roads are – well, we are well out in the country here, the roads are more pothole than tarmac. And it’s the tail end of the rainy season – great for us, because it’s quiet but boy is it wet – you can see why the locals build their houses on stilts.
Our hosts were waiting for us to arrive as we completed the journey driving along the beach. Nacpan beach is open, long and sandy. With outcrops to look at and we have a bar with happy hour (4-6 pm). Finally completed our outward travel leg – it is all about exploring and slowly slowly heading for home now. Hopefully with memories and experiences that we keep and use to live life with more purpose, commitment and connection – just more really of all those intangibles that are what really matter.
– Nikki