The Unprepared OFW: MLA / PPS/ TPE 2017

You step off the airport, disoriented, sleep-deprived and bedraggled after a 10 hr flight. You get your baggage, go through customs and further outside where a throng of families were waiting for their respective OFW loved ones and you instantly regret not telling your nanay that you were coming home.

Shaking off the sting of the unfamiliar, you remember you booked your airbnb just across T3 and you set off finding your way to Runway Manila, thinking to yourself just how your far your obsession with Biyahe ni Drew has led you astray.

Arte! HEHEHEHE

But really, that was what I felt as soon as I got off the plane. This was the first I'll be going home without a welcoming committee - which felt scary and liberating at the same time. Scary because I don't know what to do next as soon as I get out but liberating as well since I'm in Manila and I don't need to go home if I don't want to -- at least for now *wink wink*

Alright! We're here! What do we do next?

First, get a free sim card from either SMART or Globe, the 2 main telcos in the Philippines. They have booths just in front of the exits so you won't have a hard time seeing them. You'll need this once you're in El Nido and you have to coordinate with your tour/transport agent for your schedules/pick-ups, etc. Or else, it's a 45php sim card if you buy at your neighborhood sari-sari store.

(E-tip: SMART has better service in northern Palawan vs. Globe which worked for us only in Puerto Princesa. But if you get Globe, you only have to text MABUHAY to 8080 and you get free unlimited calls within the network for 24 hours and 15mb data. I haven't tried SMART though so I'm not sure which promos they have so if you do, feel free to comment below).

Second, if you're like me and you'll be staying near Airport T3 because you have an early flight tomorrow, find your way to Runway Manila. Take the elevator up to the 4th floor of T3 then head off to the food hall section. There are signages to the bridge that you can follow or just ask any of the guard/ staff around to guide you. Once you exit, it's around a 5-10 minute walk across the bridge to the other side.

Third, check in to your hotel or airbnb. We opted for airbnb and stayed at One Palm Tree Villas (click here) for a night because it's like only 3-5 minutes away from the bridge and more importantly, Resorts World Manila. Plus, they have Lay Bare at the backside so in case you're not prepared for your beach trip yet - you can do the needful here hehehe - well only if you have 3 days prior to spare.

we won our dinner back! YAHOOOOO 

Ok, Day 0 is finally over. You have finally stopped fussing over being the prodigal daughter and started to enjoy Pasay as it was meant to be enjoyed. You slaved away for 2 months for this and you were homesick for 8 so carpe diem!

See you in Palawan!

P.S. If you wanna do Airbnb as well, click here to sign up! Get ﺩ.ﺇ92 off your first trip of ﺩ.ﺇ275 or more!