I’ve been staying for more than a week now here in England. It feels really great to be reunited with my family once again!
In 2010, I took the Manila-Dubai-Birmingham flight of Emirates Airlines. This time, I booked via KLM. Aside from the fact that it is cheaper, I am also eager to ride in the Dutch-operated airline company.
I booked the flight last minute, but was able to register to the Flying Blue. Go for miles! I also took the opportunity to do online check-in 30 hours before the flight. Chose a seat in advance for convenience.
When I arrived at NAIA-1, the airport is congested with a lot of passengers. Lucky for me, the line of KLM Online-Check-in is not that long that’s why I was able to pay the airport tax and pass through the immigration. The airport really needs improvement.
I went straight to KLM’s Boarding Area. Preoccupied with answering messages, the Boeing-777 aircraft arrived much to the delight of the young passengers waiting.
We were informed of a short layover in Taipei for one hour. During the short flight to Taiwan, we were given the first set of meals. Hurray for dinner!
Deplaning and going back to the aircraft for Amsterdam, we were once again given snacks to indulge to. More!
I scanned through the multimedia device for the list of movies. I was more than happy to see the ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ on the selection! It is a documentary about the singer named Sixto Rodriguez. I’ve been looking for a copy of that movie and I had plans of getting a DVD copy. The movie inspired me to continue ‘wandering’.
The flight was full and I had the option to move to the ‘Economy Comfort’ area for an extra fee. I didn’t take it and for 12 hours, I was stuck in the window seat. I only managed to go to the toilet once. I sat there, getting all the snacks they offered, tried to sleep, listened to music and read some articles in the inflight magazine. Yeah, it was a pretty productive 12hour flight. Add the fact that my seatmate narrated a number of interesting stories.
“Fly,
Right back into your crazy life,
Never gonna miss a sunrise anymore…
The more I see, the more I want it,
The more I see, the more I want it..”
– FLY by Matt Goss
When we arrived at the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 6AM. It was lovely to see the sun rise (Euro edition toinks). This is a start of a new beginning of…
WAITING
I stayed in the airport for 3 ½ hours. I was able to access free wifi connection which was good for 30 minutes. Instead of looking for a place where I can get a cup of coffee or snacks, I chose to take a nap in one of the vacant seats near my boarding gate.
For the Amsterdam-Birmingham flight, we rode the 32SÂ aircraft. The duration of the flight is 50 minutes. We left sunny Amsterdam to be welcomed by a chilly Birmingham. Hello, open shoes!
After passing through the immigration area, I went straight to the luggage area. Happy to see my mom and Kuya Pete waiting outside.
My mother’s embrace automatically gives me that warm feeling of being at home. 🙂
KLM’s my first flight overseas (bongga kuno). Super afraid pumindot ng kung ano anong switch at buttons sa seat. I remember the selection of movies, nakakalula!
Onga eh hehe nalulula ako lagi sa movie selection. Laging feeling ko pwede pa ako mag-extend sa plane para lang mapanood mga gusto kong panoorin lol
parang nakakaloka ang 12-hr flight, lalo na ang 1-time only restroom break. hihi
Tiis-Wiwi ang peg ko sa window seat :))
huwaw. KLM naman sya. dami mong pagkain dyan ah! haha. congrats on a new beginning mica! 🙂 more Euro posts, and hopefully (which is most likely) money blogposts. hehe
Thanks Ed! Bagong-buhay mode tayo pareho hehe yung food talaga laging highlights sa long flights hehe 😀 Sana nga ma-balance ang posts hehe para may pang-lakwatsa lol 😀
Try to visit Edinburgh while you are in England. Can’t wait to read your blogs!
I’m planning to visit next month! 😀 Are you in Edinburgh now? Meet-up! 😀
Long flights are such a bummer but at least you got to experience a bunch of different airports! I always love doing that 🙂 And the Schiphol one is one of the nicest I’ve been to! I especially love the art museum there 🙂
Too bad I wasn’t able to visit the art museum 😐 maybe next time 😀
that’s quite the meal…way better than what i’ve gotten in the past
KLM is generous after all 😛
“Economy comfort” seats was offered too at check-in during my flight but seeing how costly it was, I got myself squeezed there in the cattle class. Many airlines do offer this at a cost now even if it’s just a few more inches of leg room.
Good thinking on enrolling for frequent flier miles! (and be sure to check they actually posted!)
I checked right away and i’m glad it was credited a day after i arrived in Birmingham 😀
The airline food looks tasty. Your journey must be tiresome and fun at the same time.
Welcome home Mica! 😀
It’s better late than never. hahaha
Thanks Dylan! Hope I can greet you the same way soon hehe 😀