Trip Report 8/5/2014 – 8/6/2014
I’ve decided to write a bit of a memoire style here writing down everything I feel necessary especially considering that I have the extra time do to so as I sit here with another four hours remaining on a 15 hour flight. This is my fifth trip to the Philippines and my first flying out of Houston, Texas (IAH). I’m flying on a new route developed by Korean Air and it was very competitively priced.
First things first this is the most expensive trip I have planned on having. I have budgeted 300 dollars a day after paying Lewis Grand Hotel taking advantage of the Summer Promo as I usually stay at Boomerang style hotels. I had original planned on staying at Queens, but after hearing of the demise of Pussy Cat Dolls I found it to be a bit of a downer (that is how much I liked that club).
I wanted to cover a few of my personal expenses before Arrival. As I classify myself as a two week millionaire. I don’t make a lot of money while I’m in college, and I don’t get a lot of time off so the time I do have I want to make sure I can feel like a star.
New Wardrobe = Socks (8), Underwear (12), Undershirts (28), T-Shirts (60), Gym Shorts (15). 123
Snacks= Gum (200 Pc), Chex Mix, Trail Mix, Jerky, Crunch N Munch, Granola Bars, Fiber 1 Bars, Fruit Snacks, Bag of Chocolates for the girls. Call it 70.
Medicine – Prescription Ativan (2), Aspirin, Cough Drops, Lozenges, Melatonin, Benadryl. $40
Personal Items = Bubble Bath, Condoms, Lube, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouthwash, Body Wash, Bar Soap, Q-Tips, Loofa, New Razors, Shaving Cream, Cologne. Also a travel size version of most of the above.
Honestly for how much I packed I never have to leave the hotel I could essential just live on the family size amount of snacks that I packed. I don’t know if I did it on purpose or subconsciously maybe it is because I’m getting older. I rationalize the extra packing expenses because I never go out in the US honestly I have tried and tried, but so many let downs and so much money down the drain I’m happy making my trips to Asia instead. Speaking of Asia forgive me friends for it has been 1 year since my last visit, but it was the soonest available. I do have another trip planned in December to cover both Angeles and Phukett as I just want to visit for the cashew farm.
My flight was 1050 + Travel Insurance 50. Above Additions add on another $400 So I’m in 1500 before hitting the ground.
On to my trip had an early departure at IAH 10:30 AM, no wait for security which was nice, but I was not able to use my precheck as no officers were their to man that line so it sucked having to unload all my gear. Laptop, Tablet, Camera, Phone, Wallet, Passport all that Jazz and my 10 pounds of snacks. Taking shoes and belt off still sucks the worst.
Anyway I boarded the flight of no consequence the Middle Section Aisle seat a woman was sitting in the other aisle, but no one in the middle then she got up and moved, so I have the whole row to myself. Wish I could just take this jet straight to Manila I’m ultra comfortable I can lay out, or just play on my laptop since I have a power outlet which is very nice, hidden away underneath the seat oddly enough.
Food was decent, but the service is great most of the gals are Thai and they are very professional and courteous even though I’m a dumbass and keep managing to hit the stupid call button when I don’t mean too. This is my first time on Ativan so I don’t know if it is helping or not, but I’m going to say that it is helping as I’m just relaxed usually I feel somewhat stressed, and I just haven’t noticed any of those same issues I’ll probably milk the prescription the rest of my life it is just so nice to fly worry free.
I have a four hour layover in Seoul and I’m hoping to pick up some duty free blue label (100 Proof) Vodka in Seoul to bring with me to Angeles I like to shop around, especially seeing as I budgeted for it this trip. Anyway Thanks for reading, It will get more entertaining later. Just thought I would take a moment to write on my laptop incase the plane goes down maybe they can recover my harddrive ?
We hit some pretty bad turbulence about 45 minutes outside Manila almost crapped myself haha. Landed and made it through Immigration and baggage with no problems. Already had my first hiccup as Beeway said the double booked my taxi reservation one through Lewis Grand at 3100 and the other through them at 2500 lol. I don't know what people don't understand about the word Inquiry when I check a price it doesn't mean just write me in. Not my problem though, but worth a mention.
My room at Lewis Grand is very nice, maybe I'll talk to them and see if I can pay extra for an extra room key as this room turns into a sauna when I'm not around. So would like to leave the AC on when I'm not around.
So the exciting stuff:
My first night I make it to walking street around 2am and I'm surprised to find several bars now open to 4,5,6 even 9am haha. Nothing worth looking at really but its nice to have a drink. Let me get something out of the way, I don't "barfine" if I don't have too. I slam multiple Tequila sunrises and I start wobbling up and down, I wonder down and find that High Society is just now closing so I give the guy a 20 and ask to use his pisser. As I'm leaving I'm just glancing around and see a girl walking by maybe a 6 and I'm like hey wanna take a "rest" I'm staying at LGH, so that was pretty easy.
As were walking back to the end of walking street a guy has grabbed a hold of a girl who he thinks has picked his wallet. By the way she was struggling she looked pretty guilty. She did manage to break free a few times and the guy actually ended up tackling her, but she didn't seem hurt as it was more a tripping fall/tackle. I did what I do best and left the scene, no reason for hanging around at these types of events. The guy was screaming for police the whole time and making it very clear he believe this woman had stolen his wallet so I did not see any need to intervene I didn't even see any police it was around 5am. The most I could have done is send the police that direction if I had seen them.
Ended up taking a bath with this girl and the tequila started taking over turning me into a bad performer ended up ditching the condom and hopefully not impregnating said random girl, but alcohol makes you do some funny things. I asked what day is menstruation and she said 10th of the month so probably safe bet she wont get pregnant, but nothing I can do about it now haha.
The next morning: I'm not in the mood for a second shot, just wanted to go do stuff gave her 1100 for the trike and on with my day, Before leaving the hotel I had a quick work out in the gym. The gym is what I would imagine what I would have in my private gym if I could have one, thus meaning it is just right basically good enough to work out everything you could want on a vacation.
Time for lunch. I had been dreaming about the Hippo Pizza at Tony J's Restaurant. Now I have free transport here, and the only thing I know is that this place is on the right side of the road so we go to the end and make the left down korea town lane and find the place when I was starting to get nervous about it cause I didn't know where it was. Ended up finding it, and ordered the Hippo with a Sprite, I got the sprite and a vegetable pizza not the hippo =(. So, I sent it back after multiple depressed looks the Owner was there and he gave me a free drink, gave me the veggie pizza for free, and then had a Hippo made up rush I paid for what I ordered the Hippo and Sprite. The pizza was what I imagined FREAKING AWESOME.
Hippo = Banana, Pineapple, Shrimp
The banana basically melts in the oven and everything compliments very well in my opinion. As far as AC pizza I thought it was good, but really I can tell that the place has good quality toppings so they do the best with what they have available. Very nice owner, and the guy is active on the boards so remember to support these guys so we can keep getting great service like this. Everyone was very apologetic about the accident, and the bathroom was clean enough to take a shit in, plus nice outdoor seating.
I walked back for some extra exercise, and also cause I have never been on that side of town in four trips so I made a day of it. Tomorrow Ill have NIJI for lunch. I meant to go in Lost in Asia for the other membership card and I honestly walked right by it like a dumbass so I'll have to check it out tomorrow.
Candy Bar - Couldn't get a seat (wtf is it slow here haha)
Det 5 - All the girls pulled off stage (wtf slow season doom and gloom, doom and gloom)
Blue Rock or something next to Det 5 is a nice new bar.
SillyHat or something bar has probably the best pool table I've seen.
Tomorrow I'll check out a few more bars and I'll probably do a proper abridged write up of bars at the end of my trip as I am a "Barhopper."
Any weird restaurants you guys want me to check out let me know, trying something new daily.
I know these are better with photos, but I haven't even upacked yet so, just relax Ill have a few later on, and I hope you enjoy the read. This forum has helped me out a lot and I proudly support active business owners that go the extra mile with customer service.