May 19 - Much of today is lost due to crossing the International Date Line. What remains is spent transiting through Incheon International Airport in Seoul, and arriving to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila.
Get out of the terminal near midnight. Good news is that they have a well-marked area for Grab taxis, and we find our way there quickly. Bad news is that for unknown reasons, Grab taxis are not allowed in after a certain time of night. There are many people here on their cellphones, waiting for something, but it is not clear what. Our first attempt to call a taxi results in a confusing call from the driver and shortly after that, a cancellation. The second driver goes to another part of the terminal, one that we would have to pass through security to get to. So we decline to go there, heading instead to another arrival area down a ramp. Here, there are taxis that run on meters. Thinking it can’t be that bad, we get in but after a few blocks I realize the meter is going up about a dollar every 20 seconds. Big discussion with the driver, he says it is because of the color of the taxi (yellow) as opposed to white. The white ones are significantly cheaper. He agrees to turn off the taxi meter, the first time I ever remember having to argue for that (normally it is the other way around).
We arrive at the Bayleaf Intramuros, a fairly fancy hotel but the best deal I could find in this district. Finally get to bed around 01:00.
PhilippinesUnited States of America (May 2023)