Last mid-February while travelling to QC I receive a message from my college friend Rose about the Piso fare promo of Cebu Pac. She asked me if I want to go with him together with another friend Olive. I immideately say yes since:
1). It will be a domestic flight only
2). Cheap fare
3). It's almost summer time so i need a summer destination.
Unfortunately Rose informed me that the flight would happen starting July to September (sort of) and our first priority of destination, which is Boracay, is already full.
Uhmmm, why not try international flight instead? I asked Rose.
"Any suggestion where are we going?" Rose asked.
"Why not Beijing, since Olive had been there last winter why not let's go there on a summer" I replied.
After a couple of minutes, while i was hanging out with my best friend Floro at Greenbelt I received a SMS from Rose: "Got it. Beijing flight is booked".
Nice!
After months of waiting finally the day of our departure arrived. It was my first time to depart from NAIA 3 and I was amazed on how beautiful this airport is! So sosyal! LoL!! We SHOULD make this our new International Airport and turn the NAIA 1 as Domestic Terminal instead. Only comment though is the few choices of food restaurant inside the airport. They should lease more sophisticated restaurant and not like a “food court” style there.
1). It will be a domestic flight only
2). Cheap fare
3). It's almost summer time so i need a summer destination.
Unfortunately Rose informed me that the flight would happen starting July to September (sort of) and our first priority of destination, which is Boracay, is already full.
Uhmmm, why not try international flight instead? I asked Rose.
"Any suggestion where are we going?" Rose asked.
"Why not Beijing, since Olive had been there last winter why not let's go there on a summer" I replied.
After a couple of minutes, while i was hanging out with my best friend Floro at Greenbelt I received a SMS from Rose: "Got it. Beijing flight is booked".
Nice!
After months of waiting finally the day of our departure arrived. It was my first time to depart from NAIA 3 and I was amazed on how beautiful this airport is! So sosyal! LoL!! We SHOULD make this our new International Airport and turn the NAIA 1 as Domestic Terminal instead. Only comment though is the few choices of food restaurant inside the airport. They should lease more sophisticated restaurant and not like a “food court” style there.
Ready to leave na!!
Oh btw, we ate at this Juma-japanese restaurant in front of a convenience store (im sorry I forgot their name), not only did their food is expensive but the quality of food is not so great at all (that is according to my companions who spent almost half of their career in Japan).
H-U-N-G-R-Y!!
Check-in and Boarding with Cebu Pacific was a breeze. In fairness to them, the Pilot flew the plane smoothly and we we’re ahead of departure (from Manila) and arrival (in Beijing) schedule. Travel time from Manila to Beijing take 4 hours and 20 minutes. Lot’s of time to sleep and to relax at the plane.
Immigration and Custom check-in was fast in Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 2. It only took us 20 minutes to finish all the necessary registration and clearance before we leave the airport. We we’re excited to take a rest in the first hotel we’re living but alas! The driver is nowhere to be found!
Immigration and Custom check-in was fast in Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 2. It only took us 20 minutes to finish all the necessary registration and clearance before we leave the airport. We we’re excited to take a rest in the first hotel we’re living but alas! The driver is nowhere to be found!
Hala!
Olive checking the wi-fi connection at the Airport whiel waiting for the driver
Thank God that China Tourism Council has this efficient customer service attendant who can speak a little bit of English. We asked for her help to contact the hotel for our driver. After 30 minutes of waiting, the attendant came together with the driver/bellman of the hotel (who was very courteous and can speak a little bit of English as well).
According to their website, the travel time from the Airport to FX Airport hotel will take only 5 minutes but for us it is almost 15-20 minutes worth of travel. Tip: if you’re planning to go to this hotel, please make sure to tell the driver the address and exact name of the hotel. They have many branches around Beijing and your taxi driver (who cannot speak English) might bring you to a wrong branch of the hotel.
According to their website, the travel time from the Airport to FX Airport hotel will take only 5 minutes but for us it is almost 15-20 minutes worth of travel. Tip: if you’re planning to go to this hotel, please make sure to tell the driver the address and exact name of the hotel. They have many branches around Beijing and your taxi driver (who cannot speak English) might bring you to a wrong branch of the hotel.
6th floor hallway of FX Hotel
As I said earlier, the driver/bellman had a good command in English compare to the two attending receptionist at the hotel who cannot speak English at all! What??!!? We just show our booking receipt and they gave us the key, no longer conversation needed. Sayang lang ang effort. Jejeje.
The room that we had is small for 3 persons, and one part of the wall of the shower room is covered only by curtains! Is this really a hotel or a motel? Cable TV only shows Japanese and Korean channels, no Western shows.
The room that we had is small for 3 persons, and one part of the wall of the shower room is covered only by curtains! Is this really a hotel or a motel? Cable TV only shows Japanese and Korean channels, no Western shows.
After a couple of hours sleeping, we woke up and prepare to leave the hotel, but since it was raining and we’re still not familiar with the transportation system of the city we opt to use the airport transfer car of the hotel to bring us back to the airport and took the Airport Express plus the subway to downtown Beijing.
The "promotor" of Beijing Trip, standing at the Airport Express Station
Boy, it was amazing and super convenient experience!!!
Wish we have the same here in the Philippines noh?
more to follow... =D