From Zurich via Shanghai to Manila and Kalibo

First Day of Our Philippines Adventure 2025.

Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ihwCwPgZ2nDNmUsp6

Our journey to Manila began with an 8-hour stopover in Shanghai. We arrived at 7 AM, which was perfect for a quick trip to the city center. Immigration was impressively efficient—just 50 minutes after landing, we were through. After dropping off our luggage at a storage facility, we headed downtown by taxi, which took about 45 minutes from the international airport.

One of the first things we noticed was the abundance of Chinese-made cars, most of them large, sleek, and electric—models we had never seen before. This was my third visit to Shanghai, the first being when I was around 10 years old. Back then, Shanghai was more like a large village.

The taxi dropped us off at the Nanjing Road, the main shopping street of Shanghai, conveniently located near many major attractions. The weather was pleasant—around 25°C and sunny—and the city felt less polluted compared to our previous visit. It seems the Chinese government’s push for electrification is already making a difference.

It didn’t take long to see how much the girls enjoyed shopping here—the prices and variety were far better than what we’re used to in Switzerland. We ended our walk at the Bund, where we soaked in the breathtaking views of Shanghai’s iconic skyline, with its towering skyscrapers. After a delicious lunch at a Chinese restaurant, we returned to the airport for our 4 PM departure to Manila. Shanghai felt less crowded this time, making it surprisingly convenient for a short visit.

After a brief three-hour flight, we landed in Manila. The sight of the city lights and its bustling activity from the plane was mesmerizing. As we exited the airport, we were greeted by the classic tropical heat—what a feeling! With “summer” in full swing, temperatures have been soaring, and the recent heatwave pushed it as high as 35°C. Thankfully, the coastal climate here usually brings a refreshing breeze.

A short 15-minute taxi ride took us to our hotel near the Mall of Asia. Waiting for us were Melanie’s older siblings, Melinda and Mario, along with their sons, Jaybe and Marco. After settling in, we joined them for a family dinner at the Aristocrat Restaurant—a renowned chain—where we enjoyed some fantastic traditional Filipino dishes. Every time we visit Manila, we notice the city’s endless developments and improvements; it truly never sleeps. Exhausted after more than 24 hours of travel, we finally crashed into bed around midnight.

The next morning, we were up early to catch a short, one-hour flight to Kalibo. Upon arrival, we took a tricycle to Melanie’s youngest brother Mevin’s house, located about 15 minutes from the airport. This is our Filipino vacation home, which Melanie has been improving over the years. Recently, the roof was repaired, the interior was repainted, and a traditional Filipino “resting area” made of bamboo was built outside. I love to enjoy a morning or afternoon coffee or chilled evening drink under these shades 😎

We’ll spend the next three days here, enjoying Kalibo, before continuing our adventure to the beautiful Romblon Islands.