Exploring Tagbilaran City



Boarding Pass: Seat 28F. Window seat pa rin :)



After my first leisure travel experience in Cebu last March, I have grown the habit of visiting the local budget airline sites such as that of Airphil Express, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. The story of how I got the trip to Bohol is here.

There was tropical depression somewhere around the western region of the country on August 20.  I could not even see the sun when I punched OUT of the office to NAIA Terminal 3. It was a gloomy Saturday morning.  I took the cab (Php 140) to T3 and it only took me about 20 minutes to reach the departure bay of the airport.  It's no longer new to me because I used the facility back in March when I went to Cebu.  More than being excited for this trip, I was early because of my desire to get a window seat.  I was looking for the check-in counter for my flight bound for Tagbilaran but could not find it.  Apparently, there were a couple more counters at the back that I missed.  Hence, I got seat 28F which was almost at the tail end of the aircraft.  As a consolation, 28F is a window seat with a clear view of the right wing. Based from my past experience with Airphil Express, boarding time is never on time.  Surprisingly, the first boarding call for my flight was a minute ahead of schedule! A sign of a good start. We landed perfectly at Tagbilaran City Airport 17 minutes ahead of schedule.  It was amazing! Manila's gloomy mood dramatically changed to a sunny Bohol!




Boarding at NAIA T3

I am a light traveler so I did not check-in my luggage.  I only carried my Serge backpack and a camera bag for my Nikkie. I was surprised with the size of the airport.  It barely resembles one except for the big sign and the control tower.  Other than that, it looks like any other buildings.

I met the driver from Taver's Pension House at the waiting area outside the airport.  I've arranged an airport transfer when I called for reservation which, by the way is free as long as it's arranged early for them to fix their driver's schedule.

Let's Cebu ourselves!

Let's Cebu ourselves!

Got the statement from one of  my colleagues. Like him, it's my maiden voyage by air.  Wala pong basagan ng trip! LOLz...There's always a first for everyone.  After all, this is my first opportunity to travel for pleasure.  I'd say a treat for a job well done and a prelude to a year of travel and adventure--both geographic and gastronomic!

It was an eye opening week indeed.  Last week, due to an unfortunate event, a colleague had to cancel his Davao trip.  He was a disappointed and was mulling over the aborted adventure that we came looking for a diversion. It started with Cebu Pacific Air's P550 flight to the Queen City of the South.  Him being there last year  got the excitement back in his veins.  We checked out flight availability but were given quite a few remarkable deals.  The spirits were not dampened by the first hurdle.  We huddled and discussed travel options.  We searched other airlines for promotions and deals.  It went hours that our work productivity was so minimal (sorry boss:our motto: may bukas pa).  

After a so much research and quarrels, we arrived at a decision.  We're flying Airphilippines to Cebu on March 12 at 7:35 in the morning and heading back to Manila on a Monday morning, March 14 at 5:55.  After all has been set, it was time to hit the reservation page and we ain't got cash nor credit! A big blow on the group's excitement.  Anyway we called the airlines instead and work out a time sensitive (24 hour) reservation.  

Raking the fund for the trip was another hurdle.  It's not like we were just paid yesterday! It was a disaster in the making.  After a short disappointment, someone decided to lend his coffers contents to make the trip a reality.  

The following day was a booking day!  We got our e-tickets last Saturday before heading home for lunch.

MNL-CBU Airphilexpress Flight 930

CBU-MNL Zest Air Flight 361

 Everyone was excited for the trip.  Looking forward to a happy March. ^_^