March 21,

Transition Day!

At 0730 I woke up. I had been awake off and on from 0100 to 0400. Jeff said he'd been awake since 03-something. Started packing stuff, but our flight was delayed one hour, and check out is at 1100… We had lots of time. We had our Javas and breakfast of toast with Nutella and Coconut jam; and yogurts. We readied and texted our Airbnb person when we were out. Jeff E-hailed a Grab taxi. Of course there was a rain/drizzle while we were waiting, but it was quick & small. We were off to the airport by 1105. We’re flying on Cebu Pacific, as we will be all throughout the Philippines.

At 1130, we were at the airport and through the first security check; checked in our bags; and then through another check point. Now we sat… and wait. There's not a lounge here. By1240, we were seated onboard the aircraft and backed up at 1257. Our take off was at 1305, ten minutes early, from the new delayed time issued yesterday. The flight is a short one. We are going to Clark Airport, which is north of Manila. This was Clark Air Force Base when US was still here. The flight was fine, with a small bit of turbulence at both ends of the flight, but not surprised with all the clouds. At 1357, we touched down; at 1403 we were at our terminal; and at 1405 we disembarked.

By 1430 with our bags in hand, we went to the bus stand, but the bus was not leaving till 1530. So we checked out the food court right at the bus stand. We stopped at two stands: Mister Siomai stand having one order, X4 tuna siomais, which are a Chinese type-dumpling that cost 52 PHP; and Pure Foods stand having an order of corned beef with rice and an over easy egg that cost 225 PHP. Total was 277 PHP, which was $4.83. After we ate, we then boarded the bus by 1455. It is COLD in the bus!🥶 Jeff went out to our bags and got our jackets!! I guess the air con on the bus is readying us for where we are going… Baguio, Philippines.

At 1510, the bus backed out early!! The ticket guy came around- it was 360 PHP ($6.28) each for a four hour bus ride. We leave the city life quickly and it becomes farmland- corn and rice patties with Banana trees, Coconut trees, and Mango trees lining the fields. This still seems alien to this Kansas girl!! Then the bus turned off of the main highway… but online showed the trip to be direct! Not so, I guess. We pulled into a bus station in the city of Tarlac. The bus resumed driving through town – letting people off, picking up others. Humph! Then we go out of this town into others. I saw so many different Christian Churches; Catholic, Jehovah Witnesses Churches, a couple of Latter Day Saints, signs for Baptist Churches, and a Seventh Day Adventist… to name a few.

The bus stopped at another bus station in Rosales. Then we got back on the highway at 1719, after at least one hour off of it. But at 1730, we exited highway… again! It seems we will be longer than we had thought.😒🤨  We’ll see, I guess! At 1800, we stopped for a pit stop for around 15 minutes, then on the road again. We had some peanuts and cashews for evening snack. Sunset happened… There was some color, especially pink. The rest of trip was in darkness.

Arrived in Baguio City, the city of pines. The bus let us off at a bus stop about a mile beyond our place. Jeff E-hailed a Grab taxi and we arrived at Hotel Henrico Kisad at 2000. This is where our host has us getting the key for our place, close by. We have one of two rental studios. When we entered- First impression: It is nice, but a bit more run down than the pictures showed. It just needs some TLC! It is roomy having a two couches and chairs; dining room set; and a kitchenette. We also have a balcony. Unpacked some and then went out for water. Walked back, relaxed, and then bed. We are here two weeks!