What's your favourite city to celebrate Xmas? And why? For me, it's London. You really get "feel" of Christmas there
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Originally posted by First_Flyer View PostWhat's your favourite city to celebrate Xmas? And why? For me, it's London. You really get "feel" of Christmas thereAll opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.
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You think that's bad? I paid for 2 HEX First Class one-way tix last year and they decided not to run on Christmas Day (after our SQ flight was delayed 4 hours, no less).
And did HEX offer a refund? Nope. We got re-routed to a bus that we had to pay an additional 12 quid each for.
Lovely.
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I agree with SQFG: London on Christmas Day is a downer, unless you're one for solitude or your family is from here. The run-up is nice, as well as the post-Christmas sales.
For nostalgic reasons, Christmas in Manila for me is unmatchable.‘Lean into the sharp points’
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Originally posted by jjpb3 View Post
For nostalgic reasons, Christmas in Manila for me is unmatchable.
It could be in timbuktu for all it mattered - but if you've got family around, it'll always be nice.
This year, I'll spend the latter part of the day with the golden goose.......... alone
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Originally posted by SQflyergirl View PostIt's not really Christmas in Manila that does it for you is it? It's really the fact that it's Christmas with your loved ones
It could be in timbuktu for all it mattered - but if you've got family around, it'll always be nice.
People in Manila are just more smiley, less irritable, and more gracious at Christmas season (which begins early at Advent and ends late at Three Kings Day). There's a balance struck between the relentless commercialism of gift-buying and the joy at the spiritual significance of the birth of Christ. I just haven't found that anywhere else in my travels. Probably just a personal feeling, as the presence of family accentuates the spiritual side: I guess there is a synergy between the Philippines (the parol, the Christmas specialties [e.g., puto bumbong], the feast at Christmas Eve, the gift-giving at the stroke at midnight) and being with loved ones. I do know that my brother in Singapore and I have spent Christmas together, and we've looked at each other and said, "This would feel better in Manila."
You're right, though: the fact that many of my loved ones are in Manila amplifies the meaning of the occasion.Last edited by jjpb3; 7 December 2009, 04:52 AM.‘Lean into the sharp points’
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Originally posted by jjpb3 View PostActually, it is in large part about being back in the Philippines (really Manila, as I hardly venture outside -- which will change this coming Christmas ). If, for example, my loved ones all moved to Singapore, I'd want, ideally, at least a day to soak in the atmosphere of a Filipino Christmas, and then join them in Singapore.
People in Manila are just more smiley, less irritable, and more gracious at Christmas season (which begins early at Advent and ends late at Three Kings Day). There's a balance struck between the relentless commercialism of gift-buying and the joy at the spiritual significance of the birth of Christ. I just haven't found that anywhere else in my travels. Probably just a personal feeling, as the presence of family accentuates the spiritual side: I guess there is a synergy between the Philippines (the parol, the Christmas specialties [e.g., puto bumbong], the feast at Christmas Eve, the gift-giving at the stroke at midnight) and being with loved ones. I do know that my brother in Singapore and I have spent Christmas together, and we've looked at each other and said, "This would feel better in Manila."
You're right, though: the fact that many of my loved ones are in Manila amplifies the meaning of the occasion.
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Originally posted by Kyo View PostYou think that's bad? I paid for 2 HEX First Class one-way tix last year and they decided not to run on Christmas Day (after our SQ flight was delayed 4 hours, no less).
And did HEX offer a refund? Nope. We got re-routed to a bus that we had to pay an additional 12 quid each for.
Lovely.
It is one reason I arranged my schedule to avoid UK on Christmas Day this year. My plans may be undone if BA strike happens from Boxing Day onwards...
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Yes - It was on their website but a variety of factors led to the booking being made.
1) I'd booked it whilst just departing from the Taj Resort & Spa at Male (the boat was already waiting to go to the airport), it was a last-minute 'final' decision after 3) below
2) I'd been following a direct link through NH's 'partner discount that someone had provided (supposed to have saved me quite a few quid when in fact it became the opposite)
3) Addison Lee (I called) said their discount rates didn't apply on Christmas Day
4) It was my first visit to London, and hence my first ever HEX booking
5) The HEX booking engine processed the booking (WHY would they even sell tickets for a day the train's not even running for goodness' sake?!)
6) The notice that the HEX and tube are not running on Christmas is only on the main page - once again, refer to 5) above
7) The First Class 'aura' of the ticket seemed to suggest that everything would go smoothly or we ought to at least be well looked after
A mini 'perfect storm' of factors, if you will.
I still can't believe they allowed that ticket to be sold on a day they don't even run. That's just common sense!!!
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