My Manila to Quebec first time travel...

Having my last day at work on a Friday and leaving my hometown coming Tuesday is no joke. It was the 3 craziest days of my life so far.  But still thankful as one of my dreams is now fulfilled, that is to land in country of fortune (as most people say)...Canada.

August 29, 2017 marks this special day. My flight was scheduled 7:45 pm that day so I need to be at Terminal-2, three hours before flight, where Philippine Airline passengers are accommodated. That morning we still scout for bank or money changer where we can buy Canadian dollar. We checked on Chinabank, Metrobank, BDO, and Western Union within the area. Unfortunately, these are supposed to be requested 3 business days prior. I overlooked this and thought it was as easy doing foreign exchange. So I have no choice but buy CAD at the airport. Quite lucky as the selling price is not far above trend, it's 41.75 that time.

After I checked my two luggage with 23.6 kilos and 22.4 kilos and pay tax amounting to Php 1,600, I went out again to say my goodbyes to my sisters, papa, husband, and son. I hate to see them with tears but what can I do. Leaving my son even for the meantime is so sad as he kept on embracing and kissing me without him understanding the next would months after. Plus seeing my husband weep truly breaks my heart. I just tell myself that we wishes for this and this is for our betterment besides they will be coming over shortly.

The 1st screening of my luggage and things were done upon my initial entrance at the Philippine airport. After which I passed by immigration officer for some interrogation regarding my purpose of visit in Canada. Then second screening of hand carry and personal stuff happened on the next gate.

Prior boarding, I made sure I won't be bothered by hungry stomach so I ate spaghetti carbonara and grab coffee at French Baker nearest my boarding gate. My flight then was PR116, gate B13. It was a 12 hour 35 minute flight going to Vancouver.

I'm an economy class passenger yet the seat with arm support is just right for me to feel comfy. The seat can be tilted partially to relax body while sleeping. Passengers have individual touch-screen personal television where we could select movie or tv series, play games, listen to music or simply check on map and monitor flight. You can also choose language preferred. It is a fully digital in-flight entertainment, Audio Video on Demand enables passenger to pause, rewind, or forward any video program using the remote or touch screen.

That slot with cable wire is where the remote is located. You have the option not to remove the remote there or keep it in your hand, whatever makes you comfy. 

See those little lights below the monitor, I was sleeping once in a while so kept the remote in place.

Here's the PAL menu:

I had beef pochero for dinner and Vigan longganiza for breakfast.

Beef Pochero - Stewed beef slices in sweet tomato sauce with fried banana, cabbage, bell peppers, and steamed rice with green peas. This comes with bread roll and butter, eggplant vinaigrette salad with egg and tomatoes plus dried mango. After meal delight is cassava cake. Refreshments come with your choice of soft drinks, juice, tea, wine, coffee, or water.   

Vigan Longaniza - Garlic-flavored chunky pork sausages with spiced vinegar dip, with scrambled eggs, mushroom, tomato and garlic fried rice. There are also pandesal and butter, seasonal fresh fruit slices, yogurt with granola, and dried mango included in the breakfast served. 

Replenish of food is allowed feel free to ask the steward/stewardess.

Upon arrival at Vancouver International Airport, I took picture first of my touchdown and inform my family that I landed safe and sound. Pictures were taken by a Filipina whom I seat with during the long travel. All airports are assigned a three-letter identifying code. Most Canadian airports begin with the letter Y (there's a couple Zs). For example YYZ is Toronto, YOW is Ottawa. Some make more sense than others. So, for YVR, the Y is an indicator that it is Canadian, and the VR is a sort-of abbreviation of Vancouver. There is a 240 minutes free wifi, you only need to register. Click on this link.

Then, declaration of items brought were done on kiosks allotted.  Previously, this is done manually. 

On carousel 21,  I picked up my luggage and proceed to immigration officer to get my study permit. In less than 5 minutes, I'm done.

The Immigration officers are on the area near "Information" sign.

So I went to the next gate where I will be boarding going to Calgary. It was quite a long walk but it's fine. I checked in my 2 luggage again. This time, pick-up will be directly at my last destination, Montreal. WestJet offers check in of hand carry luggage for free so I availed it and only one big bag was left with me. 

At Calgary, I met another Filipina, we were checking at our boarding gate since the ticket is saying Gate 17 yet the monitor at the airport says Gate 13. When confirmed it was Gate 13, we had our Tim Horton coffee and sandwich while waiting to board again going to Montreal. We left Calgary at 1am and arrived 7am at Montreal.

It's been a long flight indeed.