Catching a Cheaper Flight in Clark
Ideally, it would have been best to board a flight from Manila to El Nido since we were arriving in Manila from Bangkok. However, the fare from Manila to the idyllic island(s) of El Nido were at rocket-high 15,000 Php! I almost fell into this nightmare of an airfare but thankfully, my friend Rina caught a glimpse of a cheaper option via Clark which saved me and B 10,000 Php each!
After days of research and inquiry, I was confident that upon landing at Terminal 2 from our Philippine Airline flight from Bangkok that arrived at 6pm, we would arrive at Clark around 10pm. I didn’t anticipate that, just like much of the (transportation) logistics in Manila, our P2P bus was not set to pass by at Bay 20 of Terminal 2 (even if in the brochure, it says it does).
We exited Terminal 2 and headed straight to have B’s cash changed from Baht/Euro to Peso. We also tried to claim his free Globe sim from the kiosks by the exit but there was quite a line and we were rushing to catch the bus that leaves at 7pm. After the stress at the arrival gates (what is up with the immigration booths at Terminal 2, no organization whatsoever!), followed the stress to find the Genesis bus at Bay 20. No one was around to assist (it was a National holiday) so I took my chances with the security guards in the area. Frustrated and left alone to figure things out, I was running around the bay area to try to come up with plan B. Should I get an Uber? Go to Pasay as instructed? What?
Then a man in red approached me and was kind enough to ask where we were headed. He then instructed us to go wait in a waiting area for a “white bus” and pay 20 Php each that will get us to Terminal 3 where we can catch our sought-after bus.
Still stressing over whether we’d make it in time, I try to calm my nerves down by showing B the sites to see at night on the road to Terminal 3. Until finally, we got there. The driver of the “white bus” stopped right in front where the Genesis P2P bus was waiting for passengers. We hopped on and settled on our chosen seats. It was on for a 2-hour and 350 Php (one way, each) ride. The bus left at 8pm and made its way non-stop to Pampanga, with stops on its designated points.
We descended near the Royce Hotel and Casino (DOTR Office drop off) by 10pm (just as I wanted and I planned, despite and in spite of unexpected events) where my family was waiting for us. In the middle of (almost) nowhere was where my family and B met for the first time. They drove us to Quest Hotel, where we were all checked-in and and staying for the night (9,369.36 Php for two rooms, one night with free breakfast), checked in our bags and left to find a restaurant. Everywhere was closed but we were lucky to find a restobar in the area. B offered his gifts and so did my family to B. It was quite a touching moment.
After a few drinks, some pulutan, live music and a quick chat, we headed back to the hotel. My sister and father, who had work the following day, went home at 2am while B and I were left to slumber on our hotel beds that drowned us in comfort. Best ergonomic mattress, pillows and blankets by far!
At 7am the next day, we had our breakfast from the vast selection of food available at a conference area. At 9am, our van (200 Php per person, one way, booked at the hotel lobby) took us to Clark International Airport, just a five-minute drive from the hotel.
We checked-in our AirSwift flight to El Nido (5,000 Php two-way per person) two hours before take-off. We even had complimentary breakfast given to us at the boarding gate care of the airline. So sweet! At 11am, we took off for an hour flight to paradise.