I ❤️ Da Nang Vietnam 2025 - Day 1 - NAIA 3 - 07/24/2025
Manila had been a soggy mess all week. Rain, relentless and torrential, had transformed the city into a watery labyrinth. It was the kind of downpour that made you question your life choices, especially the decision to book a flight to Vietnam during monsoon season. An orange alert, a constant digital companion on my phone, served as a grim reminder of the flooding chaos engulfing the city. News reports of cancelled flights, including one to North Vietnam earlier that day, fueled my growing anxiety.
My 8 pm flight to Da Nang loomed, a source of both excitement and palpable dread. Mader and Badet’s earlier flight had successfully braved a typhoon in the Philippine West Sea, their tales of gloomy Vietnamese weather offering a bittersweet comfort. Despite their experience, the uncertainty gnawed at me. The weight of a looming Thursday deadline at 4 pm added another layer of stress. I managed to finish my work, but the relief was short-lived.
At 4 pm sharp, I hailed an Angkas. Five minutes later, the rider arrived, a welcome sight in the deluge. Raincoat on, I navigated the flooded streets, each splash of water a stark reminder of the city's struggle. Miraculously, traffic cooperated, a small mercy in this watery war. I reached NAIA Terminal 3 at 4:30 pm, though the Angkas dropped me off at their new terminal just outside the arrival area. A brisk five-minute walk later, I was inside the departure area at 4:45 pm. The absence of checked baggage proved a blessing; check-in, immigration, and security were surprisingly smooth. Forty-five minutes later, I was through, a wave of relief washing over me.
By 5:30 pm, I joined Gracia at Gate 106. We spent the next hour relaxing, using the restroom, and enjoying the simple pleasure of bread from a local bakery. The anticipation was a potent mix of excitement and nerves. Finally, at 7:10 pm, boarding began. The successful flight and the immense relief that followed were hard-earned.
This trip was a whirlwind of anxiety and exhilaration. Manila's monsoon season had certainly added an unexpected layer of drama to my travel experience. Despite the stress of a potential flight cancellation, the surprisingly smooth check-in and the successful boarding made it all worthwhile. Next time, however, I'll be consulting the weather forecast a little more closely!
#NAIAFlight #ManilaMonsoon #DaNangBound #TravelTriumph
Comments