Milan! Here I Come!

Photo credit:  https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LN42M5RJYGo/maxresdefault.jpg

Few days before we ended our audit engagement in Rome, I was still undecided whether I would push through with my side trip to Milan.  I had been to Italy for a few times already, twice in Venice, but I had never been to Milan.  When I found out that plane tickets from Rome to Manchester had increased to at least 100 euros, I thought, maybe that was the sign.  That is, I could still go to Milan and from there, I could go somewhere else before reaching Manchester.  In other words, I'll spend approximately around 100 euros or more but I'll be able to visit one or two places on my way to Manchester!  And that's what I did!

Since I didn't have the luxury of time to look for cheaper plane tickets to Manchester, I asked my sister's help and lucky for me, she found a 9+ euros Ryanair ticket but I needed to go to Belgium for that!  Good thing, there was a direct flight from Milan to Belgium.  Hence, I immediately booked my Italo train ticket, which cost me 35.90 euros (or P2,074.67, per my HSBC credit card statement) for my trip to Milan on June 20, 2017.  I chose the 5:45pm time for a 2.5-hour travel and left Roma Termini as scheduled but I still arrived 30 minutes late due to some delays along the road.

Fast forward, the following morning, June 21, I took a metro ride and went straight to Duomo di Milano, which was about two stops away from where I stayed.  I sat infront the structure after I got tired of walking as I was armed with my two bags (carry-on trolley bag and handbag).  Check out one of my random videos below (while quoting Claudine's hugot line in Milan movie:  "Mahal mo ba ako dahil kailangan mo ako, o kailangan mo ako kaya mahal mo ako?) ;)

A Taste of Sky-High Luxury

my view onboard

Unfortunately, I had unpleasant experiences right before I boarded the Emirates plane in Manchester, United Kingdom, and after I landed in Manila, Philippines.  That, I will talk about in another post.. but in the meantime, allow me to reminisce my recent business class experience aboard the Emirates airline.
It started when I was about to board the plane in Dubai.  Few hours before, I was already frantic that I might miss my connecting flight from Dubai to Manila as my flight in Manchester was already delayed by about an hour.  FYI, I had a very short layover in Dubai (about 2 hours, I guess) that any delay will surely have repercussion.  And I was supposed to make my last-minute shopping in Dubai airport - that drone that I had been eyeing on.  (Sigh!)

Since I was assured by the stewardess that I would still be able to make it to my connecting flight, I did not bother to move fast on my way to the boarding gate.  True enough, I saw my co-passengers still waiting in line for their turn.  I heard that my zone was called and I walked passed them and found myself next in line.  I was nervous when I saw  the assigned crew checked on the weight of every carry-on bag.  I tried to tell the crew that I had an overweight bag but she just dismissed me in haste.  (Another sigh!)

When I presented my boarding pass to the 2nd crew-in-charge, she immediately exchanged it with another one and to my surprise, it was labeled as business class!  Whoa!

my appetizing appetizer

As much as I would like to document every detail of my luck, I could not do so as my cellphone battery was already draining out.  I was able to take a few pictures only in-between my movie marathon and naps.  I didn't even bother to stand up and check out their cocktail bar for some sips as I was too comfortable either watching a movie or snoozing halfway through the flight.

Too bad, the 9-hour flight was too short for me to savor the so-called luxurious journey. :(

my deserting dessert