Friday, October 31, 2008

Here safe and sound... eventually.

Well the trip was mostly uneventful but long and tiring. I flew JHB to Singapore then had a three hour layover there before the final leg to Manila. The Singapore airport rocks! I couldn't see why anyone would rave about Dubai airport when I went there, but Singapore! There are twice as many great shops (I didn't buy anything - I don't shop!), plenty of quiet, comfortable spaces to sit and chill, gardens inside the airport, a theatre showing free movies, a free 1-2hr tour of the city from the airport (maybe next time) and like 300 PC's connected to the internet for free scattered around the airport. If I have to do a long layover I would choose that over Dubai anyday!
From there it was supposed to be a short 3h30 flight to Manila and then a ~2hr, 120km taxi ride to Subic. Turns out Manila is as bad as 3rd world congestion gets and Friday afternoon traffic was ridiculus! 120km = 5 HOURS!!! Amazing. Anyway, I made it.
I met a few of the team and went for a quick bite with Caroline Koll and Jocelyn Wong, who have been here 1 and 2 months respectively. They gave me the scoop on what to expect. No big surprises. Bring it on.
Turns out Brett is away for the next three days (until Tuesday) so I will be tagging along with the others for whatever they do while I recover from my trip and try no tto get sick. Seems everyone here is getting sick cos the hotel windows don't open and you cannot turn off the aircon. Recycled bad air. Beautiful.
I must get my bike built and shower (for the first time in over 36hours!). Riding an easy ride at 7am tomorrow (BTW, the time difference is 6hours) and it is already 9pm and I haven't slept in over 36 hours either! And battery is low cos I don't have a plug that fits these sockets yet either so more news later...
J :)

4 comments:

  1. Good to hear you got there without any hitches (apart from a 5 hour taxi ride!!) The fun begins!!! Mom xxx

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  2. hiJames

    Sounds awesome... take care and enjoy

    love

    michelle

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  3. HI DREAMCATCHER,

    wAS CYCLING IN THE BUNCH THIS MORNING AND EVERYONE SENDS GOOD WISHES TO THE SA ROOKIE.aPPARENTLY THERE IS A BLOG SITE FOR THIS TEAM YOU TRAINING WITH AND THEY HAVE A SECTION ABOUT THE NEW ROOKIES ON THE TEAM. SO JAMESIE SHOW THEM WHAT YOU GOT

    LOTSA LOVE MICHELLE AND CHRIS

    GRAIG DICKSON,NICK DAVIDSON, ROB ERMES, KYLE MAIN. DAVE PARKER,ALEC RIDDLE AND A WHOLE BUNCH MORE SEND THERE REGARDS

    MISS SEEING YOU ON THE ROAD.

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  4. ah huh

    Damm I have battled to post but i see I have finally succeded.. So now you will here from me...

    So ejoy every moment DREAMCATCHER

    CHAT SOON

    LOVE

    MICHELLE

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