Zlote Wakacje

The plane landed. It is a bit of stress - already on the immigration forms of capital letters is the information about the death penalty for drug trafficking. We have no intention to smuggle anything (except my pocket knife), but you never know if someone does not intend to drop off the luggage thing.

Bearing in mind the mess in India begin to wonder where the plane stopped. Through the windows of the back of the airport can not see .... could it planned to unload a big boing 777 using buses? Or maybe you just have to walk to go to a terminal at the aerodrome?

Fortunately, after a moment of doubt is dispelled. Is the sleeve, but the front and at such an angle that I completely do not see that this airport. The corridor looks pretty decent - as Polish hotels in the seventies. Even the carpet (carpet), flowers, and a layer of dust on the windows like. I'm not sure, but the airport was in the movie "Subs." I guess it was Bangkok - but I feel almost identical.

After leaving the sleeve facing three young people with a piece of "KLM Transfer Assistance". Unfortunately, their advice that you need to collect your luggage and give it back adds little to my plan. We continue .. it is only the airport.

In the hall before immigration control is a small post that says Transfer Desk. Is approached. Nobody pays attention to us, but the back hear a voice, "Can I help you?" A little wary about people who want to help and show up when they are needed. But the young man has a walkie-talkie, ID ... pre-judge him on some "agent" who wants the money to enable us to "smooth" transition of control. However, it appears that the employee transfer desk. He is concerned with boarding passes, and when we say that we have not yet, he explains that they will only be possible to obtain three hours before departure. We have the opportunity to go "downtown" or be at the airport. Since the plane could not sleep well, and according to local time is 2 am without a doubt to say that we want to be at the airport. Just still do not know what the luggage, which after all will be waiting to receive ... for passport control.

However, it appears that this is not a problem - quite the standard procedure.

A young man shows us his colleague (this time in a cream shirt, unlike the white that is) which will guide us out of control to the waist with suitcases, and then come back with us. This of course raises once again the suspicion, especially when we have to give confirmation of your booking - such things will not let out of the hands, because then it turns out that it is difficult to recover the document - you have to pull out of hand. But Manila is rather a completely different Asia than India. At least for now - at the airport.

When they arrived, stamps, "transfer" on the printed confirmation of your reservation go to the passport control gates. Our "guardian" asked an official (or rather the old lady clerk) or we can go. She finds that, yes, but ... we have to leave your passports. The red light comes on again. No but we will not panic yet ... anie Chyb rob our passports at the airport an international transfer in the zone .. Just in case, check to which the premises are handed passports and that there is a hall with hundreds of officials - at least if what I will show the last place where I saw a passport.

We go back through passport control without any control. We collect the passports and we are instructed how to reach the upper level of the airport. Because here is what we need now the most - comfortable waiting room Delta Sky Lounge.

On the upper level we get up the stairs (no elevator) and the earlier X-ray of luggage. Then inform the next person with "security" that we go to the Delta Sky - because this part is only for passengers with boarding passes. The Delta Sky for $ 50 per person can spend 12 hours in a very comfortable, soft chairs, with access to the internet, decent toilets and food and drink. It is bread, good, hot chicken soup with rice, fruit, cookies, coffee and tea.

And even alcohols. But above all, peace and security. Although the first image of Manila, and photos completely proven in practice. It's really civilized and well-organized airport - differs somewhat from the European standards, but enough to remember how it looked in Europe 20 years ago and we feel like at home.

In summary:

- You can go to town, but you can not get enough sleep
- You can spend your time in the departure hall after passing through passport control and customs
but ...

- Luggage can be given only to Manila.
- After landing to go to the Transfer Desk in the main lobby, before the passport control
- Please help in receiving suitcases
- Go out without supervision, and return with suitcases
- Find your floor
- Here we sit in the waiting room, or visit the airport ..
- $ 50 per person we provide the food, drink, and the Internet in air-conditioned room Delta Sky Lounge - the gate 15 (which is not visible, but it is next to Gate 16). It should be x-ray luggage at the position by the stairs leading to the upper level. There is no elevator.

After the departure of the aircraft to Europe in the KLM lounge became empty. So you can hide in a corner and sleep for awhile. What is true is a bit cold, but it's probably a feature of all tropical countries - when you only have the opportunity to set air conditioning to a minimum value.

Walking the rest of the airport does not arouse enthusiasm. Everywhere you show your boarding pass (which I do not) and translate that back to the Delta Sky - so after a few minutes walk along the corridor and taking some photos back, without any additional information that can be shared.