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Welcome to Manila!
Just a simple picture essay for those planning to visit someday.
My advice? Try not to arrive around midnight! I arrived at around 11:30pm. My first thought: this is gonna take some time... http://flic.kr/p/8S5YDX Still waiting for my turn http://flic.kr/p/8S5YE4 Everyone's a diplomat! (or has an APEC card or something) http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEa Baggage claim area. Flights from Narita, the Middle East and Korea all arriving at the same time makes for chaos http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEc After exiting the airport terminal, gotta cross the street to reach the pickup area http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEe Heading to the pickup area. Less people than I expected. Maybe most were still stuck inside the terminal http://flic.kr/p/8S5YEn Waiting for my ride at pickup area. Across the street is a place for greeters to wait and catch a glimpse of arriving family and friends. http://flic.kr/p/8S64rn |
Felt old-school, didn't it? That terminal (#1) has been around for ages.
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Photoessay for leaving MNL
Approaching MNL airport http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4s Car check at airport entrance http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4u Car check consists of checking glove compartment. Only. http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4E Eticket & passport check to enter airport http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4L Bag xray check and metal detector to enter airport terminal building http://flic.kr/p/8SXk4N Bag xray check and metal detector to enter airport terminal building http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7j Airport lobby http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7o OZ checkin counters. Long line! http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7u Priority checkin. Thank you *G! http://flic.kr/p/8SXo7A Boarding pass check before immigration http://flic.kr/p/8SXqoj Long line at immigration! http://flic.kr/p/8SXqom Still waiting at immigration. Line was 8 deep and took 30 minutes http://flic.kr/p/8SXqoo Document check for immigration http://flic.kr/p/8SXqow Bag xray, metal detector & patdown after immigration http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuw Bag xray, metal detector & patdown after immigration http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuA Heading toward the terminal wing http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuN The spectacular duty free area. http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuS Boarding pass & passport check to go down the terminal wing, just 50m away from the security check after immigration http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuE Boarding pass, passport & bag check at gate entrance http://flic.kr/p/8SXsuL Decided to pass time at the lounge for OZ passengers. http://flic.kr/p/8SXuAL FOOD! The variety here is better than the CX lounge I think http://flic.kr/p/8SXuAQ Fruit & sandwiches http://flic.kr/p/8SXuB1 Mushroom soup. Good after a long night of drinking :) http://flic.kr/p/8SXuB7 Congee, also your friend after lotsa drinking http://flic.kr/p/8SXuBb View from the lounge: CX plane with paintjob I haven't seen before. See you again! http://flic.kr/p/8SXvFC |
Thanks for sharing this, it really brings back memories. It's an old, sticky and sweaty terminal for sure, but I actually find it a little bit charming in a way I'm not really able to explain. Perhaps it's the contrast to many other modern airports in Asia. Though it probably helps that I'm not commuting to and from on a regular basis.
As for departures, they really like to have checks and inspections. It involves a lot of queueing, a lot of it unnecessary such as the local currency cash only departure tax to leave the country. Even Thailand has managed to include this in the ticket. I did a international to international transfer at this terminal once, which I understand is not that common. The smallest transfer security I have ever seen, I did not need to remove shoes, laptop or liquids. I have the feeling a lot of the security is mostly for display purposes. |
Good to know! I'll be visiting MNL for the first time in two months. I'll be sure to get to the airport earlier than usual on my return. How much was the departure tax?
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I think the "security" you see in the pix has more to do with keeping people "where they should be" instead or letting them roam or sit around where they want to. If all passengers and their families and friends were allowed to go anywhere they wanted then there it could easily become more chaotic!
Condition One, departure tax was 750PHP. Don't forget to factor in traffic when going to the airport! It can easily take an hour during weekdays if you're in the Makati or Ortigas area. If you travel to/from Terminal 2 your experience may be a bit better. I don't know about Terminal 3 yet, still have to try it out. |
Thanks for sharing your trip.
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