INCREDIBLE INDIA: ENROUTE TO NEW DELHI

So, the much awaited trip finally pushed though and thankfully, there were no more "aberyas".

As planned, we drove all the way to Clark, deposited our car in the Airport's Park and Pay facility, and off we go to the Air Asia counter for our flight check in.

We passed by Immigration smoothly with our new found friends even wishing us a happy trip almost in unison pretty much like the fastfood Service Crews - "Enjoy your trip Mamser"!

We boarded the plane as scheduled.

KL bound on a sunny afternoon in Clarkfield, Pampanga.

Inside the plane, we were seated in the front row with an elderly Aussie guy whom we chatted the whole time.

He told us that INDIA actually stands for I will Never Do India Again.

We laughed out loud but we're secretly wishing he was not the least bit serious about it. Haha.

Since J and I bought our ticket for an unbelievably low price, we had the luxury of buying meals inside the plane. This was J's all time favorite:  Nasi Lemak

Mangan tamo!

We were in KL after three hours.  Just enough time to catch our connecting flight to New Delhi later that night.

Back in Malaysia's LCCT for the nth time.  It was bustling with People as usual.

After eating our dinner inside the airport, it was time to check in for our flight to India.

Hala, totoo na ito. Wala nang atrasan.  India here we come!

And, for the first time in our lives, we are flying FIRST CLASS baby!

This was Air Asia's version of First Class.

We were blessed enough to avail of Optiontown's upgrade service.  We just added $100 from our original ticket and Presto!
Thank you Lord.

We had our own dedicated counter.  Goodbye long lines!

Maya - mayang kaunti, we were boarding na.
And since it was a long haul flight, we were using a bigger plane.

Let's do this!

Once inside, we were ushered in the First Class area and, for a moment, my husband was dumbfounded.
Napapatingin sa kawalan.  Natutulala.  Hahaha.

Okay ka lang Punk?

When we took off, food was served agad.

Nothing fancy pero nakakabusog naman.  Couldn't complain really.

And, when night fell, everyone started converting their chairs into flatbeds at the push of a button.

Woohooo!  

I must say that I had a very good sleep because the next five hours flew (pun intended) by so fast.
I was even regretting to hear the Pilot's announcement to get ourselves ready for boarding. :)

When we touched down at around 1AM India time, Hubby and I were already "conditioning" ourselves for the worst.  This is, afterall India and we were really sure the airport will be very dated and forgettable.

Yeah. Yeah. 

BUT, we were in for a big surprise.

Are we in Changi? or in Chep Lap Kok?

 India Airport is not supposed to be this clean and beautiful.

Hmmm.  Baka pa- impress lang yan.  Wait until you get to the Main Hall.

Impressive.

But no, Indira Gandhi International Airport is indeed ultra modern.

WE. WERE. FLOORED!

Loving it already!

At this point, both J and I got a little "inggit".

Why can't we do this in the Philippines?  :(

One of the best (if not the best) Airpots I have ever been to.

At syempre, sinulit na naming mag-aswa ng aming First Class privilege bilang baka hindi na ito ulit maulit. Our very own Immigration Line! 

Malamang malabo akong ma "hold" dito.
Hmp.  If you could only see me now, Clark Immigration Officers!  LOL.

When we got out of the building, we noticed that it was COLD.  And that made me really happy as I hate hot and humid temperatures.

Ang "sushala" talaga - may Airport Express pa at connected pa sa Subway!

This clearly was not India as I pictured it.  

Huge was an understatement.

Sad to say this pero malayong malayo ito sa NAIA. :(

And I thought India was dirty?

Sana ganito din sa Pilipinas kong pinakamamahal.

Since the Airport Express was already closed  (hello, it was 2AM already), we had no choice but to take the cab.  An elderly driver took us in and off we went to the City Center where we would stay for the rest of our trip.

Once we drove out of the Airport property, I was half suspecting that the dream will soon be over.

Hmmm.  Parang nagiging familiar na ito....

And I was right.

It was slowly beginning to have that India feel.

Uh oh, this is not good.

And, when the Taxi came to a halt, my suspicions were confirmed.

Welcome to the real INDIA.

We were transported back to Divisoria!

And smacked right into that area was our home for the next 6 days.

Kaano-ano kaya nito si Mommy Poko na favorite diaper ng anak ko?

Home at last.  Oh yeah!

Good thing, the hotel itself was good enough.

It was no Shangri-La but it was just fine.

Naman - for 1400 pesos. I could not really complain.

We slept like a baby that night until around lunchtime.

Jetlag was our friend kaya tulog mantika kami despite the stark contrast we experienced from the airport to the City Center.

What is in store for us on the next days?

Itutuloy ang kabanata bukas.

Stick around, will you?

Thanks.