Anyway, last month off he went to Austin, Texas and it was his first long haul flight since he always travels within Asia only. Since it is 8,401 miles away from Manila, he needs to ride two airplanes.
Manila to Los Angeles (12hrs and 20 minutes)
+ 4 hours and 35 minutes layover
Los Angeles California to Austin Texas (3 hours and 3 minutes)
It is more or less 20 hours flight, PAL provided travel kit which includes eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. Good thing Philippine Airlines has wifi and seat monitor during his Manila to Los Angeles flight to entertain him.
Upon arrival to LA, he passed the immigration. He was a bit nervous because during that time, President Trump just signed an executive order and this order banned the citizens of 7 countries and there is even a rumor that the Philippines will be included.
When he reached Austin Bergstrom International Airport, he looked for National Car Rental counter so he can get his key for the rented car. Yes, this time he will drive from hotel to office. He applied for International Driving Permit prior to his trip.
Read: How to Apply for International Driving Permit in the Philippines
It was a different driving experience because the roads and highways are wider compared to the Philippines. Thank God for GPS, he was able to reach his hotel. He stayed at Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake for two weeks.
Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake
For the very first time, he experienced jet lag. It was hard for him to adjust his sleep and cold weather. It is challenging for us to communicate because of the time difference which is 14 hours.
He spent most of his free time in visiting different outlets looking for affordable pasalubong for us. He visited Round Rock Premium Outlets, San Marcus Premium Outlet and Tanger. Yes, there are so many sales and discounts but he just bought the stuff that he can afford. For chocolates, he went to groceries because the price is much cheaper.
Since I was not there, he washed and ironed his own clothes too. I even teased him to finish his laundry para wala na ko labhan pag-uwi niya. Hehehe!
After two weeks, it is time to go home. He just parked the rented car at the airport and dropped the key in the box.
+ 2 hours and 10 minutes layover
Los Angeles to Manila 15 hours and 55 minutes + 1 hour layover in Guam
He was disappointed with Philippine Airlines because there was no wifi and no seat monitor during his LAX to MNL flight. How can you entertain yourself for 16 hours, parang budget airlines na lang ang PAL.
He was excited to go home but he experienced a lot of mishaps during his Austin to Manila flight. It started with a delayed flight, he almost missed his connecting flight in LA, unexpected layover in Guam and the worst part is when he landed in Manila, his Luggage was missing.
Read: How to Deal with Lost Luggage
Texas Roadhouse
Nice read. Thank you for a quick glimpse of Austin, Texas! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I enjoyed your Europe post too. :)
DeleteI always look forward to your out of the country posts. I learn so much from the countries and hotels your husband visited. And I must commend how supportive your husband is in your blogging. I assume he would send all those photos for you. And how you are so keen in explaining the details. It seems youve experienced them yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) Yes, my husband doesn't like taking pictures but now he takes pictures for my blog. hehehe!
DeleteOmigosh the outlet stores!!! At bakit walang wifi and seat monitor nung pabalik?!? That really sucks. I wonder how one can guarantee that there'll be wifi on the flight you'll ride, especially for long flights like this.
ReplyDeleteTrue, so disappointing especially the airfare is not cheap. The airline should provide an entertainment during the flight, hirap na nga umupo for several hours, yun wala pa gawin.
DeleteWhut???? What happened to his luggage?? Haist. My husband has been flying to other countries lately so I get how you feel that hubby is away for two weeks. Happy for Jay too, for seeing other sides to the world, but I would really love it if I were to come along haha
ReplyDeleteHindi naisakay sa connecting flight so naiwan sa California. :( Good thing it was delivered the following day pero hassle talaga. True, I wish we can always go with his trip, mahal lang ang airfare. :)
DeleteUS is one of the countries that I don't think I will ever be able to visit. Hehe. Parang ang layo nya, super. It's on the other side of the globe. Matagal din ang 2 weeks ha, lalo pag di kayo sanay na magkalayo. Nakakatuwa ang mga pics.
ReplyDeleteAko rin kasi takot ako kumuha ng US Visa at ang dami nadedeny so baka sayang pera. :) Yes, ang tagal ng two weeks pag di sanay sa LDR.
DeleteWow! Thank you for touring us. Congrats to your husband's training abroad. I'm sure your husband appreciates you more after his trip (pagkatapos nya ma-experience maglaba for himself hehe)
ReplyDeleteWelcome! Madali lang yung laba kasi wash, dry and fold lang pero yung pagplantsa siguro, namiss niya ko. hehehe!
DeleteWow it looks like your with him lang while he is away from you kasi alam na alam mo every details ng trip nya. Anyways I feel the feeling of excitement and same time sadness when your husband going to abroad. 1 week lang si hubby mo but how about 9 mos to 12 mos? hahahah! But the good thing here is ginagawa naman for the family and nasusubukan din talaga ang isang relationship kapag magkalayo kayo.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks nga lang ang hirap na, parang hindi ko carry yung matagal. Kaya bilib ko sa mga OFW wife kasi iba talaga feeling ng malayo sa hubby.
DeleteNakakatuwa ito sis, while reading on it parang kasama ka ng husband mo, lucky you matiyaga sa photo taking hehe! Anyhow, I am not experiencing yet ang mapalayo sa husband ko pero soon baka matakot na ako or kabahan hehe, thinking na dependent ang mga husband sa wife when it comes to things na pag-aasikaso. Mabuti naibalik ang luggage niya. :) pero dapat yan din ma-raise sa PAL like ung connections issues.
ReplyDeletePanay tanong ko kasi sa kanya ng information, hehehe! I used to be independent pero nung nagkaasawa na ko naging dependent, parang hindi ko sanay na wala kasama sa bahay, napaparanoid ako.
Delete