2022 Keeps on Giving

The last few years was coupled with lots of negativity and anxiety. Partly Covid-19 is to blame. The world has changed and people responded with its own defence mechanism. Then 2022 came. So much hope that the pandemic is nearing its end. I was blessed with being able to travel multiple times this year.

I was in Manila in the beginning of January and again, I will be here to celebrate 2023 with my family. I count myself as lucky both with my work who are supportive that they introduced coflex arrangements. In short, they allow us to work any where in the world for 30 days. Ain' that generous?

I did go to Manila again in April/May and again in September. This time to celebrate my grand celebration in Baguio. Grand being I have my relatives too who helped me celebrate this special milestone. I went to New Zealand in October which was refreshing. Seeing the breathtaking views in Queenstown.

Finally, again back in Manila to celebrate my mum's birthday. Then off to Europe for my Winter Wonderland adventure. Lucky to have seen the northern lights, Santa Claus, huskies and the reindeers. Even had safaris to bond with them. I survived the nasty weather in the arctic. Was able to come home safe and sound by Christmas eve with my family.

All in all it was a blessed year for me and I continuously thank God for this bountiful blessings and I hope it continues not only for me but for the rest of my family, relatives and friends. Just keep the faith, stay focused and know your priorities. And lady luck will come unexpectedly.

White Christmas recap

The first few countries I visited was not really snowing. But nevertheless Christmas is in the air and it was cold. Well, except for Portugal. It was wet weather and after I left they did suffer more rain and flooding. So my hearts go the Portuguese good hearted souls. May they be safe and happy in whatever provisions they have for Christmas eve.

The highlight really was the snow! Growing up in the Philippines we never experienced very low temperature so it was something that surprised and made me nervous when I saw -24c in the forecastm but all is well. It is about layering and having the mindset. Love the wilderness and the stay in the igloo. Also did light up the woods for the Sauna, that is an accomplishment. And the highligh of Ivalo is the ice water dip for about 10-15 seconds. It was exhilaratingly good. 

Then the huskies and meeting Santa is the highlight for Rovaniemi. The reindeers, not so much haha. I did miss couple of activities like ice hotel and sculptures. And going to frozen falls. But it has been well compensated with the Aurora Borealis sighting. It was jaw droppingly beautiful. Pictures cannot express the feeling of finally seeing this elusive phenomenon. I was thankful and I can say that that event is the mic drop of this journey.

Copenhagen and Stockholm are both good cities but nothing to write home about. Besides the fact that it is expensive, in my opinion I was expecting more. Maybe I should have stayed much longer and my opinion can change. Remember how I hated NYC initiallym after 2 weeks, I bought the i heart NY tee. 

Tallinn and Krakow are both charming. Love the thick snow and the old city that transforms you back to the past. It has a character that grows on you and makes you love these cities.

I saved all this to my memory bank and take it as one of the most memorable travels I had.

3 wishes

Maybe I am already exhausted but I did forget my LV scarf at Hilton KRK airport. I realised this when I was boarding LH bus to the aircraft. Then, mentally I did put 3 wishes I needed to happen before I leave EU.

First Wish: for LV scarf to be found by the housekeeping and Hilton reply back to my email to me and they have an option to send it to me in AU at my expense. Wish granted.

Second Wish: for my global blue tax form to be dropped in a mailbox. This against the advice I got from LH FA saying I lost my chance. I should have done so in KRK. But KRK was saying I dont need to. I cant risk not getting those hard earned refund. So after the long walk and train shuttle I arrived in dreamland T2 and saw the holy grail. I dropped it!

Third Wish: was to be avle to credit my EY flight to VA so I can meet my status credit requirement to renew Gold status for another year (subject to 4 VA sectors in 2023). And yes, was able to do so with EY counter with no queue. 

All my three wishes were granted. But dark clouds rolledby as soon as I see a very very long queue at security. Christmas is indeed here. Many passengers. Less counters due to many of the ground staff I would think are now passengers on the way to their homes for Christmas. So there you go. FRA is literally a hell for me who got used to smooth check-in and breezy security. To be fair I got priority access to security but not on ticket check and immigration. Oh yeah, speaking of immigration. The german officer was looking for my inward stamp. I thought i was in trouble then I remembered there was no one at CDG when I entered EU. So it was an automated machine with no physical stamp. So there you go! I think there was an unconscious bias because I dont look caucasian so he thought I should have a stamp. Otherwise whatelse would it be? That he is stupid? Lol. Either way it is bad on him.

Right now I am just waiting to board EY flight to AUH and not looking forward to the dreadful 7hours layover. So I downloaded few movies. Hopefully, my clock ticks quicker this time.

Snooze and snooze

My bed time was scheduled around 7pm just because of waking up early for this tax refund. The issue with claiming bulky items is that you had to get the custom stamp prior to check-in. What makes it complicated is that my flight leaves KRK 6am. So it means I had to get my tax form stamped earliest as possible. I woke up 2am just for this but the custom officer is still sleeping. So went back to the hotel dragging my huge luggage back to my hotel and also attempted to sleep.

After an hour, I got ready and decided to checkout from the hotel. This has proven the McGuiver in me and was able to transform my many bags and consolidate it into 3 checked in luggage and 1 carry-on. From 6 bags. Wondering why I have so many luggages? I am too. I dont know what I bought really. Maybe lots of souvenirs, basic shopping and my many bulky winter clothes.

Arriving at custom office, it is still closed. So I tried 2 things. One is ring the bell. No response. Then I rang their call centre and the lady on the line probably woke up the officer. He is a bit old and was super slow in processing my refund. Took him 20 minutes as he scrutinizes my documents. Then, finally when all is done. I got the stamps. I proceeded to the ICE refund company who offer services to get the refund back to my card. For some reasons, she said I don't need to give back the documents back to the merchant. Im dumbfounded and still skeptic that if I dont follow the rules, I might not get the refund. So will try luck in looking for a mailbox from Frankfurt my last stopover as I leave EU zone. 

Ps, i realised you always have to look back and triple check before you leave. I left my beloved LV scarf at Hilton Krakow airport. Hope they find it and I can get them to mail it to me back in Oz.

Time Stands Still

It felt like the clock was in slow motion when I stayed in Poland. Not that I can complain but I was thrown off with the Norwegian holiday. I was so looking forward to seeing fjords and hiking the Pulpit Rock but both weather and limited tourists has led me to cancel the trip fully.

I decisively booked Hilton Garden as I was so tired and just needed a sleep. Not knowing that I booked a city hotel. All good though, means I can stay closer to the city and eventually I did decide to just stay in Krakow. It is contributory to my decision to abolish my Norway plans. 

Oh well, what can I say with Poland. It's bittersweet. Sometimes I dont know if people here are friendly. Sometimes they are. Most of the time they have that smug facial expression. Maybe because not everyone here can speak english. But anyway, Krakow is a beautiful city. I love the old town. It has a charm on its own even if you see it being chaotic with all the vandalism everywhere you look.

The city is covered in thick deep snow that adds to the adventure of my day hike to Kozsiusco Mound. I did hate the snowcaps on trees as they did not warn me and before I know it, I have a big splat of snow in my head. It hurts and what's worse it went to my clothes which has the chilling effect. The top of the mound was super coolm great circular path that surpises you at the very top with both Polish and Ukrainian flag swaying high and proud.

The following day was a bit warmer and ice begins to melt. I slipped multiple times and it was so embarrassing. Wawel castle also give me an insight on history as well as the great dragon folklore. 

The last day was more of looking at the city centre and looking at other historical sights. Also when I exhausted all places I wanted to see, I ended up just shopping. Their shopping centre was massive. As Christmas comes, you can see a lot of on sale ornaments and decorations. Everyone was on this rush to buy presents so it was rather busy on a midweek arvo. 

I stayed total of 4 days, which is a record long for just one city. And it's winter so I do have limited time to stay outside. Hence, majority I was just resting in my Airbnb. My airbnb was a simple room with bed on top of the midsection of the room hanging like a treehouse. Funny, i had to packup all that I need when I climb up the tiny little stairs. It squeaks loudly not because I'm heavy but because it is fragile. 

Now for my last day, I am just waiting to fall asleep. I am staying in an airport hotel, which comes in handy later when I claim my tax refund. My flight is 6am so this is going to be a challenge to sleep super early.

That's it. My 2 week winter european tour concludes. Time to head back to Manila to celebrate Christmas with family. Merry Christmas everyone.

Norway Cancelled

I was super frustrated when my Pulpit Rock tour was cancelled. I made an executive decision to abort Norway completely and just stay in Poland. It was a great decision as well since it was raining nonstop in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. I heard that there are huge probability of fog. The wet weather also poses hiking risk. And it is winter too.

Immediately I booked a Hilton airport hotel but made a mistake (probably due to fatigue) and I booked the city hotel. Later I realised it is better. Because I can travel around Krakow freely and within walking steps. There's always a silverlining.

Tap into Contingency

Short story, I didnt make it to my flight and domino effect on my other plans. That's tough when itinerary is packed. Oh well, that's why we have contingency budgeted on projects/OTI. 

So what did I miss? My flight from Krakow to Oslo. The horrendous bus ride from lowcost airport TRF of 2hours to Oslo. The train ride from Oslo to Bergen. And the flight from Bergen to Stavanger.

All is well. That schedule is too stressful anyway. So I just chose to salvage the uncommitted Oslo hotel cost and use it to book for a night in Hilton Krakow. Fingers crossed its not like Helsinki's Hilton. Will take well deserve sleep and rest for the planned Pulpit Rock climb the day after tomorrow.

Polish people are nice and polite. They were able to help me rebook my missed flight at no cost. Their lounge is simple but full of nice sweet things. 😋  

No regrets if I miss Oslo, Bergen. I would just look forward to Fjords and Pulpit Rock. The last remaining activity before I fly back to Manila.