Imagine my surprise when a friend told me that he’d be going to Shanghai. Admittedly, Shanghai or the entire Mainland China isn’t top in the list of my must-visit places. But if there’s a chance to go—and someone to split costs with—why not tick a city off the list? Read more…
Photo credit: JERRYANG
I had a problem though. Right before the Shanghai trip, we were set to go to Chiang Mai, Thailand to attend the Yeepeng Lanna. Although flights hadn’t been booked, Chiang Mai wasn’t one we just can cancel, as we’ve already paid a hefty amount for tickets to the festival-cum-charity event.
With a resolve to make the entire thing work, I took hours off my super busy life to orchestrate an intricate plan. Mind you, China requires a visa, so that figured in into the difficulty of it all.
APPLYING FOR A VISA
I found out about the Shanghai trip less than a month to go before departure. It does sound like a whole lot of time to process a visa, yet with how busy I was, it seemed impossible. Moreover, I go out of the country every other week, so I cannot afford to leave my passport for days.
Preparing paperwork—tons of it—was painstaking, too. I had numerous bank visits until I had the right bank certificate as stated in the website, only to find out that a simple one would do. And that was just the start of it.
A huge part of my anxiety came when a sudden project came a week before my intended date to apply for a visa—that meant that I only had days before to complete the entire process. It came to a point that I only had the exact number of days before the trip and I only had one chance to file, so I was very thankful that my visa got approved.
BOOKING A FLIGHT
There was no question—Cebu Pacific Air had the best flight times to fit my schedule the weekend we were leaving, allowing me to return from Bangkok to Manila and still have a comfortable layover between flights. The airline sells the cheapest tickets, too.
Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, flies from Manila to Shanghai daily. The outbound flight departs Manila at 8:20 PM and arrives Shanghai at 11:45 PM, while the return flight departs Shanghai the next day at 12:30 AM and arrives Manila at 4:00 AM.
PLANNING THE TRIP
I have nothing much to write because honestly, I had minimal input in itinerary planning. It’s untypical of me, but I was confronted with a ton of deadlines weeks leading to a trip, not to mention I went to Singapore the weekend prior and to Chiang Mai days before. I embarrassingly depended on my friend to make the itinerary, telling him to just make one for first timers. Clearly, I was ill-prepared for the trip.
THE DAY OF THE TRIP
We woke up early to catch our flight from Chiang Mai to Don Mueang in Bangkok. After a quick stopover in the city, I proceeded to Suvarnabhumi Airport to catch my noon flight back to Manila.
Manila was chaotic as ever, with the traffic ever-horrific despite it being a Sunday. Good thing, the airport provides a free inter-terminal shuttle service, so I was able to get to NAIA Terminal 3 on the airfield for my Cebu Pacific Air flight to Shanghai. I had exactly four hours between flights, but I opted to check-in for my next flight at once, so I can deposit my luggage already.
With about three hours to go, I checked in with Cebu Pacific Air’s convenient and user-friendly self check-in kiosks. With it, I was able to join a shorter queue reserved for those who’ve already checked in and will just drop their bags. As with the airline’s other staff I’ve encountered in the past, the agent was so friendly and warm in dealing with me. She somewhat allayed my fears of facing immigration—I wasn’t really sure how me going in and out of the Philippines in less than four hours would mean to the officer I was assigned to.
But I got through sans any eventuality, and afterwards, I glided across the departures concourse to await my flight. Boarding announcements were made promptly, and by rows, we were called to enter the gate. Thank goodness, Cebu Pacific Air does boarding in an orderly fashion—it reduces stress for everyone!
As I got into the plane, a smiling cabin crew member directed me to seat 1A up in the front. I pre-purchased the seat online for a minimal fee because I needed the extra legroom and comfort. And besides, those seated at the front get to disembark first—I dislike waiting on the aisle.
After getting munchies and being asked by the hospitable crew if I needed anything, I positioned my body for some shuteye. But as I settled myself, the reality all came to me—of how unprepared I was. I realized how I didn’t familiarize myself with the map of Shanghai, think of strategies to make things easier, and worse, check the itinerary. Heck, I didn’t even plan my wardrobe—I simply threw in sweaters and hoodies into my luggage, mingled with my tank tops for Chiang Mai.
Adding to the anxiety was Shanghai, from what I’d been envisioning, is an entirely foreign country—where shouting at each other is a normal means of communication, and spitting on the streets is, well, acceptable. Thousands of feet up in the air, I was so distressed at how I’d be like a blind person in unchartered territory, entirely depending on my friend’s research and itinerary—when I’m supposed to be more the traveler. Did I mention I was so scared I might get lost and be unable to get back to Manila?
It most probably was a great idea that I went drinking the night prior and hence stayed out late because I slept soundly despite the maddening stress. It wasn’t too long though that we touched down at Pudong International Airport Terminal 2 on schedule. Landing by the airline’s competent flight crew was smooth because I woke up when people were already standing up. It was a pleasant flight with great service as always with Cebu Pacific Air.
As we stepped out of airport terminal to find the taxi queue, my worries started again. But I was too groggy and sleepy to process more paranoia, so I surrendered and thought que sera sera.
Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, flies from Manila to Shanghai daily. The outbound flight departs Manila at 8:20 PM and arrives Shanghai at 11:45 PM, while the return flight departs Shanghai the next day at 12:30 AM and arrives Manila at 4:00 AM.
For bookings, call +63 2 702 0888 (Manila) or +63 32 230 8888 (Cebu), or visit www.cebupacificair.com. Get the latest updates and seat sales by following their official Facebook and Twitter accounts.
