Holiday blessing of sorts..

I'm baaackkkk!!!!!

Though I still want to spend a few weeks more in Pinas, but then, I got work to do.. and I need the extra finance so I would have more freedom to spend on things

Anyway, my blessing of sorts started on the 17th of December. My brother-in-law dropped us off at Terminal 2 (Manchester Airport) for our 6pm flight. When we arrived, we saw a massive queue and found out that all flights to Amsterdam were cancelled. So, we asked around and this man from Air France ticketing office told us to go home, get online and rebooked our flight or call an 0871 number.

I turned to my husband and he said: Let's see where we can get online from this airport. Another fellow pointed to us the internet hub at the arrival area. Off we went, and there were a few people using the computers. The "good" thing about it is, you can get online and rebook but you would have to pay 1 pound for 10 mins. of use. Rip off eh? It was indeed. I managed to pay 6 quid and wasn't able to get our flights rebooked because their system went down. Tried calling the 0871 number and I only get an answering machine!

Anyway, we went back to the queue at the ticketing counter and stuck it out until closing time (7pm). They have no choice but to book us to a hotel! whoopiii... that was a blessing as I have seen on TV that in London, passengers slept on the cold hard floor of Heathrow and Gatwick.

At the hotel, I had a good warm bath and got ready to bed. I made arrangements to meet the lady I befriended while queing at the airport at 4am (that's when the ticketing office will open). But my hubby said that KLM or Air France will call us and give us our booking. But something tells me that it ain't gonna happen. So, at 6am, I told Simon that he can stay in the hotel while I try queing again at the airport. He said he'll go with me. When we arrived, there was a massive queue again! Not to worry though, as the lady I befriended the other day have "reserved" a space for me in the queue. At 9am, we were booked to a new flight! Another blessing!

At the counter, the lady said that the next available flight will be on the 20th, and arriving in Manila on the 21st of 4pm. I said I can't get that because it's my wedding on the 21st. I was close to tears. And then she said: let me try again. And she did with all her might .. until she had the mind to upgrade us! Another blessing! We were upgraded to business class (without extra cost), leaving on the 19th, and arriving in Manila on the 20th of 8pm. Brilliant! I can still rebook the Manila-Davao flight to the 21st, 4am.. then we can spare a few hours before the wedding! We'll take it, I said to the lady.

It was the 18th of December and we won't be leaving till the next day. So, KLM have no choice but to book us to another hotel. And the blessing kept pouring in!

All went well until our flight on the 19th... or so it seems! Business class all throughout... fast lane during check-in... enjoyed the comfy lounging areas.. wow! this is the life.... until, we get to Manila. We were waiting at the carousel for at least an hour until we discovered that our luggage hasn't arrived with us!!! Flashback: the lady at the check-in counter in Manchester has tagged our luggage only until Helsinki (1st stop)... that's why our boarding passes from Helsinki-HK, and HK-Manila, was given to us at the boarding gate!!! Blimey, my gown, my shoes, Simon's shoes, trousers and everything else were in the luggage!!! what to do??

We went to the hotel downhearted. We weren't able to get a good sleep. I was scared to sleep because I may end up waking at 11am and miss our 4am flight. My aunt's driver came at 2am, drove us to the airport, then on the plane, I kept thinking about our luggage. As soon as we landed in Davao, my sister drove us to the market (that's the only one open at 6am) and we bought our knickers so we can take a shower. I have a few clothes left in Davao so I have some to wear, but Simon doesn't have any. So, after 2 hours of nap, off he went to SM with my brother to buy some clothes and look for shoes he can use for the wedding. No shoes can fit him so he just cleaned the black shoes he's wearing (which is really an old pair), then went to my Aunt Shirley's house to borrow trousers.

I, on the other hand, went straight to the bridal shop that a family friend owns, and luckily have a gown that fit me! The gown looked like it was measured to fit me! As did Simon's barong tagalog! What a blessing once again. Then after that, I went to Gaisano Ilustre to buy shoes and luckily found the right one! After paying, I then proceeded to the salon for my make-up... then went to the wedding venue.. renewed my wedding vows ... and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Anything else that went wrong? Sure did! The day before we were scheduled to visit Camiguin, our house almost got burned because of a short circuit. All lights were on, as well as all the airconditioning in ALL the rooms were on at the same time! Thus, the electricity trouble. And the blessing there is: we were able to find out that the house needs rewiring; and out circuit breaker works! But then, we have to sleep with no aircondition and have to fan Simon for at least 6 hours. The cost that was for Camiguin was spent on rewiring our family home. We instead spent a night in one of Davao's resort... which is lovely by the way.

New year's eve arrived... the electricity is back.. no more wiring troubles. All went well until we were due to go back. Our flight to Beijing (first stop) was scheduled at 6am. We are good passengers so we were at the airport at 3am. At the check-in counter, we were told that our ticket was claimed already! What happened was, when we got rescheduled in Manchester, the lady at the counter failed to confirm our flight back! Oh the incompetencies of people eh? Anyway, we were at the counter until 6am, arguing with the manager that it wasn't our fault. Eventually, the manager told us to go to KLM booking office at the 4th floor and they will sort us out. So off we go! And as soon as we got there, the manager on duty told us if its okay that she book us to the next available flight via KLM! Of course!!! That's another blessing... from 3 stops to just one!!! We were hoping for a business class upgrade though but I think we're really pushing it... LOL...

Anyway, we arrived in Manchester 20 minutes behind the original flight that we booked. Ain't it grand? With this experience, I came to learn how to see the positive side of a stressful situation. Am I willing to experience this again? I don't know. I would love to travel business class again though... LOL

that is what we call it "all things is meant to be happen" Ms Florge

hahahaa... yes.. the sun is always shining here in Manchester....

to be honest, it was hard to find the funny side of things... if you have a hubby who was already swearing and angry, my choice was to let him see the "funny' side of it all...

welcome back to uk ms.florge...wow..your thread killing my time..great..anyway.. right everything happeneds for a reasons..luckily that you have the coming blessings naturally in your part.. hm...i agree with you..if you would like to experience again those stressfull i dont know but experiencing the bussiness class wow... ofcourse..hehe

and i would like to congratulate you and your hubby simon for a great time wedding again for each other..you both so lovely..any pic..

thanks pocahontas! piuctures at my Fb

oh thats greaat how can i add you there at fb?? im excited hehe..