Manila and transit through Singapore to Bali

they have banyan trees here too

For the first time this trip I had a chance to do a morning run. My hotel was just a block from the waterfront and Manila has a nice walkway along the water. The walkway was only .8 miles but there was a nice wide sidewalk after that. There were many walkers, runners, bikers, and also some people out cleaning it up in the early morning hours. With all the stray dogs around, it’s nice that they clean it up in the mornings.

people cleaning the streets (and dog poop) in the morning

pancit and roasted pork

My only errand was to get dried mango for our Nepal trek. So in the early afternoon I walked over to the Robinson’s Shopping Mall, which felt exactly like any mall in the States. I found several brands of dried mango so I took a picture of all of them, picked one randomly and also got one bag of Philippines brand which I know from Costco. I also got some roast pork from a booth in the mall and some pancit from another booth for lunch/dinner. Once back at my hotel I googled and discovered that most of the brands I was looking at (including the random one I bought) are mango puree mixed with stabilizers and sugar then reformed to look like slices. The Philippines bag I got is real and rated second to a brand called 7D.

fried garlic slices

I went in search of 7D since I did not see it in the Robinson’s supermarket. Online I located a store in Manila that sold them so I walked a mile in the heat to get there only to find that the whole complex has been demolished. I walked back along the waterfront and saw many locals out enjoying the sunset! I went back to the mall and in one of the booths had 7D mangos! I bought 4 bags and headed home. On the way I encountered an amazing smell. It was a man frying slices of garlic so of course I had to buy some. I ate a bunch of it straight but I think it is supposed to be used to flavor other foods. It was very good and very salty. It’s a good thing I’m traveling alone and also wearing a mask!

Manilas version of the city bus

the worlds cutest puppy

booth frying garlic slices

locals gathering to watch the sunset

Its a bit alarming that they felt a need for this sign

Singapore Air seats with head wings making sleeping much easier

The next morning I flew to Bali via Singapore Air. They have comfortable seats with little wings that fold out around your head for support (see pics) so I was able to get some sleep. Once we got to Singapore Airport I had to stay in the Transit area, but that was easy as Singapore Airport was made with people in mind. There are many different comfortable seating areas often with individual charging plugs. The butterfly sanctuary is closed due to Covid, but the Koi Fish pond was going strong. I spent some time watching them. Finally, there is a great Priority Pass lounge and transit hotel. I used the lounge and it was nearly empty, which just goes to show how great the common areas are that few people bothered with the lounge. They allowed everyone to order up to 2 entrees. I got a chicken dish that sounded mild and they brought me fruit as well.

Singapore Air pork porridge

Singapore airport Koi Fish pond

Singapore airport Koi Fish

Singapore airport koi pond

Singapore airport more koi

Singapore airport koi pond

Singapore airport Ambassador Transit Lounge

nearly emoty lounge

Lounge entree

fruit at the lounge

One of many nice seating areas at Singapore Airport

Bali has got the Covid arrivals down pat. There were 4 stations plus an extra one if you needed a “visa on arrival” before you hit passport control. First we sat in lines (in chairs) to get our paperwork checked to make sure we had everything or to help us if we didn’t. Second we went to pay for the PCR test or in my case, get my prepayment verified. Next there was another checkpoint to make sure we had everything before the actual test area. Ater that I had to buy my “visa on arrival” for $40 and then I was able to go through passport control. Customs is also done online so I just scanned my QR code from that and I was out the door.

Step 1 checking your paperwork and Bali entry code

Step 2 paying for PCR test or show prepaid code

Step 3 checkpoint

Step 4 getting the actual PCR test

Step 5 for me - getting my $40 visa on arrival

I decided to get a Grab for 225 ($16) since the offical taxi was more. Out near the parking garage there were regular taxis that were only $14 but it wasn’t worth cancelling my Grab. Grab has a nice air conditioned lounge to wait in while your ride arrives. Once at the hotel, I found they have upgraded me to a room that has access to a semi-private lagoon (pool) from the patio. I love Hilton!

Super nice Grab lounge with AC worth the extra $2 for $14 ride