Arrived safe and sound!!

This post doesn't include pictures because I don't have my iPad set correctly. Will work on that tomorrow.  But enjoy the notes of today's journey!

Left Culver at 8:00 am eastern time Thursday and arrived Manila Friday 10:00 am eastern time, which is 10:00 pm here.  My trip was a drive from Culver to South Bend.  Then a flight to Chicago Ohara.  I had a bit of a layover there so I was able to attend a couple calls and get some work done.  Then hopped on a plane from there to Tokyo. It was about 30 minutes late leaving and even in the air 10 hours we weren't able to make up too much time. 

In Tokyo I had to change planes and terminals. It was interesting that here were no retail places. And I didn't realize I had to go through security again.  There went my unopened bottle of water. :(

Also in Tokyo they required the ipad to be taken out of the bag. I didn't know which caused additional search and rescanning of said bag and ipad. 

Finally through they herded us to the "gate" 27D.  It was a line to hop on a shuttle bus which took us up to the airplane.  Good thing I packed light because I had to carry it up the steps into the plane. Interesting.....

Flight to Manila was uneventful. And when we arrived I got ALL my luggage... YAY....  They had carts there.. Free... Because at this point I didn't have any Pesos.  And breezed through immigrations. There were only two people in front of me.  I was glad to have the cart. After that much travel, I was tired.  When I got to customs there was zero lines. And I must say they were the NICEST customs people I have ever experienced. And I breezed through.

Next stop to get pesos. But at the line where the people were waiting, I saw my sign.  So I connected with the hotel escort and he got the car and the luggage in it while I banked.  In regards to banking, I wish I would have asked for smaller bills. I just didn't think about needing tip for the driver and the bellman.  

The hotel is amazing.  It is a boutique hotel and they don't even have a checking desk. They take you to your room and you "check in" in the comfort of your own table.  But more about the hotel tomorrow.  I am in what they call the "writers lounge" enjoying a cup of decaf with brown sugar and cream!  Yummy!!!