Day 1: Japan (Osaka)
Today, we (me and my two nieces) would be leaving for a Japan vacation. It is my nieces' gift for me. I am looking forward to this. This is my first travel after my retirement.
We should be at the airport for four (4) hours before our flight. So we left the condo around 9:30 AM with my niece, wearing my Casio G-Shock on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right. We will be picking up my other niece in her condo.
Everything went smoothly on our check-in.
My two nieces have free access to the airport lounge. I don't have it. They paid (PhP 3,000.00) so that all three of us would be relaxed while waiting for the flight. Thank you! ❤
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| PAGSStop Lounge at Terminal 1 |
When we are on our way to Gate 4, that is when we learned that it is the last call for the passengers in the flight. But we did not hear it announced at the lounge?! So we ran. LOL
I think our flight only took less than 4 hours.
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| Manila from the plane |
While on the flight, it is when I remembered I forgot the PIN of my GCash Visa Card. Then, I forgot the MPIN of my GCash app!!!
Upon landing in Japan, the processing is efficient--everything is automated. My nieces also rented a WiFi we can use. The van who will bring us to our hotel is already waiting for us.
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| Kansai International Airport (KIX) |
It is about a 15 minute ride to ChaYa Hotel. The instructions on how to get in our hotel room have been sent. There is no receptionist where we have to do our check-in. Nice.
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| ChaYa Hotel |
After leaving our things, we went out to have our dinner at McDonald's. I tried their offering which is not available in the Philippines--the Bai Teriyaki McBurger.
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| McDonald's |
We then crossed the street to 7-Eleven to buy food for breakfast. Our hotel room has a mini-kitchen. It is also here where I withdrew money using my GCash Visa Card. Be sure to choose "no forex conversion".
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| 7-Eleven |
Then, we walked back to our hotel where I tried to do some night photography.
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| Nipponbashi Street at night |
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| Tsutenkaku Tower at night |
Labels: Chromebook, food, hotel, photography, travel
Check-Out
Today's the check-out of Lyn from RedDoorz Hotel @ San Marcelino, Malate. Check-out time is 12 noon; but, there is nothing stopping us from checking-out earlier. Left the condo around 10 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple Watch on my right.
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| RedDoorz Plus |
The check-out is smooth. Dropped Lyn at the condo and proceeded to Glorietta--I am already dressed going out and I have added items in my list.
Went to Lamy to buy the Lamy Joy Fountain Pen (with all three sizes of the nib) for calligraphy, and the Lamy Safari with medium nib.
Then, I proceeded to The Landmark Food Center where Edgar, the driver, and I would eat our lunch. Ordered at BonChon Chicken.
Home.
Labels: Chromebook, food, hotel, mall, shopping
Check-Out, Check-In
Today will be the day Lyn will be released from the hospital after her RAI Therapy. Since she still have radiation, I have already booked her at a hotel for ten (10) days. Per her doctor, it would be safe for her to be quarantined for fourteen (14) days. Radiation has half-life, that is, every day, it decreases by 50%.
First, I would be attending the 7:15 AM Mass at Greenbelt Chapel. Normally, it would be the 12:15 PM Mass. Since check-in time at the hotel is 2 PM, I will have to be there early. Another consideration is the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 Parade. For the first time, it would be entering Makati City, streets affected would be near Buendia Avenue, Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, Jupiter Street. This means, we should be leaving the Makati area before then so as not to miss the hotel's check-in time.
Left the condo with my Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical with black dial on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
The Mass presider is Fr. Rany.
The Gospel is about the Annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist. In this Gospel, it shows the importance of silence as experienced by Zechariah, John the Baptist's father.
The value of silence:
- Silence helps us hear God more clearly.
- Silence can transform doubt into faith. Zechariah's silence forced him to observe the works of God in his life.
- Silence prepares us to seek God's truth. As soon as Zechariah can talk again, his first words are praises to God. His silence led him to the profound presence of God.
Went back to the condo after Mass. Will leave again around 9:30 AM.
The plan for the rest of the day is as follows:
- Go to Robinsons Place Manila where we would spend time including eating lunch before proceeding to the hotel.
- At 1 PM, we leave the mall, and go to the hotel to check-in and bring in Lyn's things.
- Edgar would be proceeding to the hospital waiting for Lyn's clearance and release while I wait for them at the hotel.
- As soon as Lyn arrives, I would set the mobile phone to connect to the hotel's WiFi, give instructions on how to operate the air-conditioner, etc.
Did a short window-shopping at Robinsons Place Manila given that it is my first time here in this mall. Ate our lunch at Bacolod Chicken Inasal. In their National Bookstore, I was able to buy a black Lamy Safari Rollerball, a good partner for my recently purchased black Lamy Safari Fountain Pen.
Was early in the check-in time at the hotel. Since Edgar would not be able to park in front of the hotel lest he will be towed, paid for PhP200.00 to check-in one hour early. Brought all the things needed by Lyn in the hotel. I stayed behind updating my blog while Edgar proceeded to the hospital, waiting for Lyn's release.
Updating my blog while in the hotel. Since Lyn's room has a window view of the street in front of the hotel, I can check if they have already arrived so I can pack my things. Set-up Lyn's phone to access the hotel's WiFi and gave instructions on how to operate the air-conditioner.
It is almost 3 PM, still the parade has not passed by Buendia in Makati. Went first to Cash & Carry to buy a Dairy Queen Blizzard before proceeding home.
Once back, I worked quickly so that Joven can step out of the condo and watch the MMFF parade. Our dog, Theo, cannot be left alone for too long. But as soon as I stepped out of the shower, Joven was still around. It is raining hard! That really dampens the parade. LOL
Labels: Chromebook, food, hospital, hotel, mall, shopping
Budget Hotel
Today, my niece will be accompanying me with my errands (she, too, has an errand).
I left the condo around 7:30 AM with my Rado Captain Cook Automatic on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right, to pick up my niece on our way to Makati City Hall. Filing for our real property tax is a breeze. We decided to pay early to avail of the discount. Before leaving, asked about where to claim my Yellow Card and I was directed to one of the windows. Unfortunately, I do not have the claim stub.
After, we would be proceeding to ManilaMed to pay in advance for the RAI therapy procedure of Lyn but we stopped first to see the St. Martin de Porres Chapel along Leon Guinto.
When I was still young, I often had convulsions whenever I get a fever. They say if you experience it even after seven (7) years of age, it would be a lifetime--similar to asthma. So, we asked for the intercession of St. Martin de Porres, who is the patron saint of the poor, the sick, and those seeking healing, and people of mixed race due to his own experiences with discrimination and his charity toward all. His image shows children surrounding him as he gives bread to them. I recall always going to this chapel with my Nana. Then after, we buy barbecue on the way home.
Unfortunately, the chapel has been abandoned. 😔
So off we went to ManilaMed. The secretary is already there. Thus, left her the deposit as well as a copy of the PhilHealth MDR of the patient. I didn't know that copy of the PhilHealth ID is also needed. So I said I will just send it over via Viber.
Since we are sure of the procedure's schedule, it is time to book a room in a budget hotel for Lyn. She has to be quarantined for 14 days. She'll be staying in the hospital for 4 days and she will be released when the radiation level goes down to an acceptable level.
My niece already has a list of hotels for us to check but said to her we should be starting to the cheapest one. A difference of PhP300.00 per day means roughly PhP3,000.00 more in the total bill. Funny! We were advised to book online. Got it. Did the booking and made the payment already.
Next stop is at Cash & Carry for my niece who would be buying a specific size of balikbayan box at National Bookstore. We, then, had an early lunch at Mary Grace Cafe. I tried their Rib-eye Salpicao and Mango Bene (which according to the server tastes better than Conti's Mango Bravo when I asked her about this). My niece and Edgar, the driver, ordered Daing Na Bangus, and Matcha Latte (iced) and tea.
Passed by the condo to pick-up the claim stub for my Yellow Card, went to Storage Mart to store the luggage of my niece, and dropped-her off at her condo. We then proceeded to Makati City Hall, again, to claim the Yellow Card.
Since I arrived there during lunch time, I was asked to wait as the people are still having lunch. 😒 Anyway, with too many Senior Citizens around, you can hear a lot of stories while you wait. At exactly 1 PM, I followed-up again. Learned that my Yellow Card was already sent to our Barangay, and they would be delivering it to me.
Then, I proceeded home.
N.B. Distributed the share of the income of our apartments with my new co-owners. As agreed, this will be done after November for the income between December of last year to November of the current year. This way, we have additional money for Christmas.
Labels: Chromebook, Church, clinic, hospital, hotel
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