WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CEBU PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A CEBU PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

The aircraft used in the Manila to Singapore flight is an Airbus A321 Neo. It has a single aisle with 6 seats in a row. 

1. Comfortable legroom. 

2. Comfortable ergonomic seats.

- You can't recline the seats so seat pitch is not reduced. But the seats are very comfortable even if you cannot recline them.

3. USB port assigned to each seat to charge your devices.

- They turn the power off at take off and at landing. 

4. Freebies that you can win from joining the games conducted by the flight attendants.

5. Food and drinks you can purchase.

- Cebu Pacific budget fares don't include meals. You need to pre-order meals online if you wish to dine inflight. There are also snacks and drinks you can purchase when you're inflight. Check out the menu below.

WINE REVIEW: Cape Mentelle Chardonnay 2018 from Margaret River, Australia

WINE REVIEW: Cape Mentelle Chardonnay 2018 

from Margaret River, Australia

Superb chardonnay. Light and refreshing,  with the right balance of acidity. Full bodied flavor of toasted brioche, butter, peach, melon and a hint of lemon. Pleasurable to the palate, with a very long finish.

Where to buy: winery.ph

Winery: Cape Mentelle

Designation: Chardonnay 

Region: Margaret River

Country: Australia

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Vintage: 2018

Vivino: 4.1

Wine Searcher:91

Best time to drink: 2020-2027

#winereview #capementelle #chardonnay #margaretriver #australiawine #winery #WineryPH

WHO CAN USE THE AUTOMATED IMMIGRATION LANES AT CHANGI AIRPORT

WHO CAN USE THE AUTOMATED IMMIGRATION LANES AT CHANGI AIRPORT 

Philippine passport holders are now eligible to use the automated immigration lanes at Changi Airport. Just make sure to fill up the online SG arrival card before going through immigration. The online SG arrival card can be submitted as early as 3 days before arrival at Changi Airport up to the moment before passing through immigration. Changi Airport provides free WiFi access the moment you enter the airport so you can submit the SG arrival card even upon arriving at the airport.

Other requirements to be eligible to use the automated lanes:

1. Must be aged 6 and above.

2. Must hold a passport with validity of more than 6 months. 

How to use the automated immigration lanes:

1. On the first gate, insert your passport with the data page (where your photo is) face down on the machine. 

2. When the first gate opens, pass through it then insert your thumb on the machine and have your photo taken to open the 2nd gate. Then that's it!

How to use the regular immigration lanes (for manual processing):

1. Submit your passport to the immigration officer.

2. Show the email confirming your submission of the SG arrival card.

3. Have your photo taken and your thumbprint scanned. Then that's it!

In a few minutes, you shall receive an email of your electronic visit pass! Welcome to Singapore! 😊

Passport holders from the ff countries are now allowed to use the automated immigration lanes.

MY TIP:

1. Make sure to have the confirmation email of your submission of the SG arrival card on hand in case you encounter a problem at the automated immigration l lanes and are forced to use the regular immigration lanes.

2. At departure, also use the automated immigration lanes so you can avail of the automated boarding system

IN THE PHOTO BELOW IS A LIST OF PASSPORT HOLDERS WHO CAN USE THE AUTOMATED IMMIGRATION LANES. 

OSAKA: My Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Yamazaki Distillery

OSAKA: My Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Yamazaki Distillery

WHEN TO BOOK

Book Yamazaki distillery tour at least 2 months in advance, when reservation opens to ensure you get your desired date. The tour is always fully booked. For example, if you're going to the distillery in May, they open reservations at 8:00 AM on March 1. For the best chance to get your desired date, especially a weekend date, reserve on the 1st day of the month when reservations open.

Suntory Yamazaki distillery tour reservations: CLICK HERE

PRICE of the distillery tour: 1000 yen per person

My tip: If the Yamazaki distillery tour is fully booked and you want to taste the rare Yamazaki whisky, like the 25 year old Yamazaki, make reservations at the Whisky Museum instead. Entrance is free. You only pay for the tasting fee of the whisky you wish to taste.

Suntory Yamazaki whisky museum reservations: CLICK HERE

PRICE: FREE entrance, but you pay for the drinks you taste.


WHAT TIME TO CHOOSE

We chose the 12:20 PM slot so there will be time to travel to the facility without waking up too early and time to have lunch before starting the tour with tasting. You need a full stomach for proper tasting, so you won't get drunk easily.


HOW TO GET THERE

Use google maps. Arrive at Yamazaki or Oyamazaki Station. Walk 950 meters to 1km to the entrance of the Yamazaki Distillery



WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE DISTILLERY TOUR

1. You tour the facility where they actually make the whisky and where they store to age it. You get to see the different areas of production, from mashing to fermentation to distillation

2. After the tour, there is free tasting where you get to taste both the unblended and blended whisky.

3. They teach you how to make a highball.

4. You have an option to do paid tasting for hard to find. 

MY ITINERARY

8:30 AM
Leave the hotel

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Travel by train to Yamazaki from Nipponbashi station to Oyamazaki station

Weekend

Weekday

11:30 AM -12:00 PM
Sandwich lunch at Daily convenience store, beside JR Yamazaki station


12:20 PM - 1:40 PM
Yamazaki distillery tour

Mashing




 Fermentation 

Distillation 



Aging in oak barrels 





FREE TASTING














Highball


1:40 PM - 2:30 PM
Tasting room, paid tasting




























3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Travel by train from Oyamazaki station to Nippombashi station

WHAT TO ORDER AT THE LOGGIA AT PALACIO DE MEMORIA

WHAT TO ORDER AT THE LOGGIA AT PALACIO DE MEMORIA

Although the Loggia is conceptualised by Margarita Fores, the food has not yet achieved the level of Cibo. I'm a fan of Margarita Fores ever since Trattoria Uno days and I love Cibo. Most of the food that we ordered at the Loggia was just OK, except for 2 which were really good. And that's what I'm recommending. 

We ordered an antipasti, pasta, mains, pizza, dessert, wine and coffee. What was exceptionally good was the pasta and the main.

We ordered the Papardelle, Asparagus, Prosciutto, Truffle Cream Pasta. As always, the pasta of Margarita Fores is exceptionally good. Must order that one. 

Papardelle, Asparagus, Prosciutto, Truffle Cream Pasta
(600 php)

We also ordered the Australian Beef Tenderloin alla Scamorza. It was very tender and juicy. We ordered medium rare but it came out medium well. But it was still good. So that's worth ordering.

Australian Beef Tenderloin alla Scamorza
(810 php)

Where to buy travel insurance online if you're originating from the Philippines

Where to buy travel insurance online if you're originating from the Philippines

1. Pioneer Insurance

Website : https://insureshop.ph/travel/safetrip

2. Pacific Cross

Website: https://secure.pacificcross.com.ph/Oqapv2Prod/Trip.aspx?transType=BUY

3. AXA Philippines

Website: https://www.axa.com.ph/travel-insurance

4. Malayan Insurance

Website: https://www.malayan.com/products/lifestyle/travel-master/application

How many hours before an international flight should you be at Manila International Airport Terminal 3?

How many hours before an international flight should you be at Manila International Airport Terminal 3?

Updated June 16, 2023, after all airlines from other terminals have completed transfer to NAIA3. 

At least 3 hours. 4 hours

Check-in time takes 35 minutes. Lines are longer at web check-in counters than at the regular check-in counters. But its still better to check in online already before arriving at the airport because it gives you both the option of checking in at the web check-in counters or at the regular counter.

Going through immigration takes 40 min.1-1.5 hours

That's 75 min 2 hours lost already. You can use the other 75 min 1 hour to take a leisurely walk to the gate and take a quick snack before boarding happens 30 min before the flight. You need to be at the 

NOTE: You might need more time if you're leaving your car for several days at NAIA overnight parking slot or if you're paying travel tax at the airport.