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Created by A Yahoo! Contributor
Fri 10/16/09 (day 1)
To pack or not to pack. Thats the question.
We both had Thursday off, but man was it hectic. It was all about buying last minute travel necessities, getting the house clean, getting our hair did, and a million other errands. Then we stayed up late figuring out what was getting checked vs carried on. But that didn't dampen our excitement!!
Now to the present. Today is the big travel day. Mother in law is awesome for taking us to the airport. Then it was a quick 14 hour flight (yeah flight) from ATL to Tokyo. We were on an older 747 without the personal tv screens (yes I'm spoiled), so we made due with a 20" TV about 8 rows ahead and a 40" projection screen that was a bit lite. Believe it or not, but I actually liked the food on the plane. I don't know how many times we disturbed the guy in the isle seat to get up and walk around, but we appreciate him! He's Canadian (via Alabama) whose going to Japan for the first time to go to Yokohama and the Nissan home office for business.
Planned Activities
Thu 10/29/09 (day 14) - San Francisco
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Heather and I will be in Singapore until 10/21 then onto Manila to reconnect with my Mom, family, and friends. We'll also be hosting a belated reception for everyone that couldn't make it to our wedding last year. 11 years is just too long a time away from the mother land.
Next stop will be to my home, Hong Kong. Dim sum here we come! Haven't been back since the take over in 1997, so I'm very excited.
Final stop will be in San Fran on 10/29 where we'll be visiting the Lee's. Then its back to the ATL on 10/31. I'll do my best to keep this up to date with up to date entries and pics.
Enjoy your trip.
Since my family in the Philippines weren't able to make the wedding, we're having a second reception in Manila. Thanks to Louella, Tita Cora, and others for choosing Dencio's and making all of the plans! I cant wait to see everyone and of course to eat the great food!
If you've lived in the Philippines then don't worry about getting around. If your not my first recommendation is if you have family or friends in the Philippines to have them drive you around. If you don't have family or friends then you'll need to depend on your tour for all transportation, and/or schedule all transportation through your hotel including going from and to the airport, etc. I assume most cab drivers are honest, but if they sense your a tourist they may take you for a ride.
Not to scare you (further), but the Philippines is a 3rd world country so there will be a shock at the amount of traffic there. We took a tour and the guide put the traffic into simple terms. The roads in Manila and Makati were designed for 800,000 cars however there are currently over 2 million cars on the road. Livin conditions may also shock you too. As long as you're with your tour or with family you'll be fine.
With all of that said, I suggest going to Yahoo! Travel (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-19…) for descriptions & great guides. TripAdvisor.com is another good resource.