a look back on dec. 26, 2007

there is something about "first time experiences" that have to be memorialized. so, you will have to forgive me if i'm reposting the article below. december 27, 2007 is simply a very important date in my travel history and the day before that was a witness to the excitement for the days ahead.

.... pre-departure to hongkong december 27, 2007 is a red-letter day in my calendar. my beautiful uterus concurs with the resurfacing of moderate R.E.D. flow. notwithstanding my beautiful u's ill mood, i still couldn't contain my excitement. in a few hours, i'll be off to my first ever out of the country trip. yay!!! The Passport For guidelines on passport application, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA's website. You may choose to process your passport on your own or ask the assistance of travel agencies that offer passport services. I got mine, courtesy of my office, through an agency for a fee of PhP850. The DFA Regional Consular Office - Cebu can be found at this address near Plaza Independencia: DFA Regional Consular Office - Cebu Causing Lozada Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., cor. Lapu-lapu St., Cebu City Tel. No: (032) 256-3193 / 253-6798 Fax No: (032)256-0624 E-mail: cebu@dfa.gov.ph The e-Ticket Fees Amount of Round Trip Ticket - PhP7,303.55 excluding Philippine Travel Tax Phil. Travel Tax - PhP1,620 to be paid at the airport. PTT may be included in your airfare if you buy your ticket at over-the-counter ticketing offices. The PTT is excluded in the computation if you purchased your tickets online. This is because the Philippine Travel Tax has to be paid in cash. Mactan Airport Terminal Fee - PhP 550 (for international travel) Tip: To save a few pesos, try advance booking. I purchased my ticket online last August 2007. Had I booked much earlier, say in June when Line and I decided to take this trip, I would have paid PhP6,000++ only. Luckier if you could get the piso-fare of cebu pacific 'coz it would only cost you PhP4,000++. As of this writing, round trip ticket costs PhP11, 420.18. The Hotel / Hostel Vouchers Room Rate: US $77 haha.. since line and I are budget travelers, we only got cheap accommodations. our logic is, "we won't be cooped up in our rooms, anyway." as for me, i sleep on a folding bed at home; so no complaints if i get a real bed this time, hehe ..[notice the blue thingy where my bags are on?] The Travel Bags haha, as i hate having to carry something in my hands, i opted to use a gym bag and a small backpack instead of the regular luggage. go disposable!!! you can buy them at any watsons outlets - that is, if you're lucky to get your hands on them. as i have a complicated but beautiful uterus, i have to arm myself with hordes of whisper ammus. Travel Companions Line purchased this from the newly-opened Powerbooks at the North Wing of SM City Cebu. This Lonely Planet edition costs around PhP 900++ [can't remember price.] Line - on board SuperFerry bound for Manila [taken during our december 2006 north luzon trip with Leylan. (www.decrechoice.wordpress.com - december 26, 2007)