011 - Cebu, Philippines to Phuket, Thailand - The Saga Continues

Not much excitement for our last couple days in Cebu, mostly just recharging for our next leg. After finding out that the hotel laundry service was going to cost us over $250, we opted to walk to the place 1.5km down the road and get it for $0.80/kg...or 8 bucks. It's the cleanest laundry we've ever had...we can't stop smelling each other.

The rain kept us in watching bad movies from the 80's most of the day on Sunday,

 But, Ciel did manage to get out for a little trick-or-treating.

The best part about the hotel, by far, was the daily mountain of ultra-crispy bacon at the breakfast buffet.  Thus, giving rise to the largest BLT sandwiches known to man.

 Mmm...bacon.

Our SilkAir flight back to Singapore surprised us with the unconventional complimentary beverage options "Orange juice or beer?". Ciel is no fool.

 After a couple cold ones not much else to do but kick back and enjoy the ride.

At the check-in desk for our connecting flight out of Singapore, I found out that maybe Britt isn't such a Ciel fan after all. Her plan to strand Ciel in the Singapore airport by failing to book a connecting ticket to Phuket for her almost came to fruition.  Luckily our girl is small and fits easily into most overhead compartments...I squeezed her aboard.

Her luggage (as usual) was another story.  This time the stroller was the culprit. 

"You can't check it, then you'd be overweight."

"Well, what if we take it out of the bag and take it to the gate for gate check? Do we still have to pay?"

"No."

"Even though it's the exact same stroller of the exact same weight on the exact same plane?"

"Yes."

So out came the stroller, breast pump, books, toys and other paraphernalia.  The wheels were reattached, stroller assembled, bag folded and off we went.  Two security checks and one bathroom break later we arrived at the gate with more carry-on gear than the rest of the passengers (combined) had luggage.

At which point the same girl that vehemently denied our stroller at check-in, approached us again.

"Would you like to check-in your stroller and (two monstrous) carry-ons... free of charge?"

"Yes...Yes, we would."

Wonders never cease.

We opted for the budget minibus method of transportation to our hotel in Patong, which apparently means that halfway through the trip the driver feigns the need to use the bathroom just as he is conveniently passing the tour office where his sister works. After 15 minutes of being regaled with the marvels of sea canoes and Thai kickboxing events, we were back on the road.

Although Club Bamboo, our "boutique" hotel is quite nice, 

The budget $42/night mouldy room "with a view" that we scored left a little to be desired.

Fortunately, Ciel's mum knows how to throw down. Brittster worked her magic and got us upgraded to a mould-free room with a balcony.

She's not just a pretty face.

After a brief stroll around town today we discovered you can buy just about anything you want in Thailand for 1/10th the price we pay at home.

 I scored a pair of brand name (ahem) Pillabong boardshorts for 15 bucks!

Now that Ciel has had a chance to scope out all the hottest nightclubs, she’s one afternoon nap away from careening off on her week of wild partying and debauchery! Woo-hoo!