Our trip to the Philippines - from Stockholm to Cebu

Writer: Helena Bergström

Let's tell you about the start of our trip to the Philippines! We have embarked on a three-month adventure, and the journey has only just begun. It all started in Stockholm, with a flight to Cebu via Doha.

Table of contents

Departure from Stockholm

We have been preparing for a long time for this long trip to the Philippinesand we have previously wrote about the preparations. When it was finally time to leave, we dressed comfortably and with only a super-thin windbreaker - which can be rolled up to almost nothing - to avoid bulky packing when in Asia.

In the pictures below you can see us with all our gear: a small rucksack on our backs and a larger rucksack next to us. What Peter has in his hand? A fishing rod! The pictures were taken while we were waiting for the taxi (we usually use the app Bolt, which we think has good prices), which would take us to Arlanda...

Route 1: Stockholm - Doha with Finnair

We had booked the whole trip (Stockholm - Cebu) with Qatar Airways, but the first part of the trip (Stockholm - Doha) was operated by Finnair. The trip took six hours and even though it is always a bit uncomfortable to fly, we must say that travelling with Finnair is excellent.

We were served vegetarian lasagne and wine, watched films and read books. Before it was time to go down in Doha, a sandwich was served.

Change of flight in Doha

The first plane was slightly delayed, which meant that we had little time in Doha. At Doha airport, we only had time to hurry through the security check and get to the gate to board the next plane. Still, it was nice not to have to wait!

Route 2: Doha - Cebu with Qatar Airways

Soon it was time for the next leg, the 9-hour flight from Doha to Cebu with Qatar Airways. We boarded late in the evening/night and were served a sandwich before it was time to spend the night sitting in an aircraft seat.

Qatar Airways has good, modern aircraft with reasonably comfortable seats. Staff are attentive and there is a good selection of films. Men it is still exhausting to fly this far. When it was finally getting close to morning (or afternoon if you consider Asian time) we were served a brunch, and could start looking forward to arriving soon ...

When we took out our mobile phones to take pictures of the view, one of the attentive flight attendants asked if we wanted a photo of us together. We said yes!

Arriving in Cebu, Philippines

Finally arrived! Our friends, Micke and Julia, had told us to take a taxi to the hotel and to meet them there, which we were all set to do. But when we walked out - in the oppressive tropical heat - there they were... with a big poster! In fact, it took a little while for our brains to realise what they were seeing. This welcome committee was meant for us!

Julia and Micke welcome us in Cebu, Philippines

Fantastic fun to see you again! And wow, look that they fixed this poster, just for our arrival! We promise that the start of the trip in the Philippines felt absolutely fantastic!

We then took a taxi together (the Grab app which is popular here) to our hotel, the Grand Emilia Hotel in Cebu City. This is a slightly simpler, but fresh and excellent hotel with a good location.

From here we now start, during our days in the Cebu City. Now that we are in a big city, we take the opportunity to do some errands and preparations for our further adventures in this exciting island kingdom.

Please continue to follow the journey here at freedomtravel.se and at Instagram at @freedomtravel.se!

01 February 2023 6:00

Philippines

flight, travel magazine

Helena

Administrator

27 Comments

Add yours →

Lena - gott för själen says:

Wow, what a reception! Understand that you felt welcome 🙂

But the tiny, tiny packing! Gosh, I'm impressed with how you manage it. I would have found it extremely difficult. How nice it will be for you to have so little to carry!

Now have a great trip!

Hug Lena

01 February 2023 - 10:09

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Nice not to carry too much 🙂 Extra clothes we think we can buy on site 🙂 Thank you!
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:00
  
  Reply
Ditte says:

A long journey! But with reasonable comfort on the plane, it seems to have gone well. Cool with the welcome committee when you landed. Wishing you nice days in Cebu (Impressed by the minimal packing).

01 February 2023 - 10:30

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The flight went well! Flying far is always a bit uncomfortable, but Qatar is great! And thank you! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:02
  
  Reply
Christian Muda says:

So glad you have finally arrived! Looking forward to following your journey!

01 February 2023 - 10:51

Reply
- Eva W says:
  
  So much fun to follow your adventure.
  Wow, what a reception for, understand that it feels good ...
  Looking forward to new posts.
  
  01 February 2023 - 12:05
  
  Reply
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Ewa W, right? Funny that you want to follow! 🙂
    
    02 February 2023 - 16:04
    
    Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Christian, yes wonderful! Funny that you want to follow! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:03
  
  Reply
Annika i Spanien says:

Great fun to follow your adventures in the Philippines! Looking forward to new posts!

01 February 2023 - 10:59

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Annika, nice to hear from you! And fun that you want to follow! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:05
  
  Reply
Seija Viitamäki-carlsson says:

What a great welcome! It will be exciting to follow your journey. We are going to Belgium-Netherlands in March-April. By motorhome, as we have stopped flying and our motorhome is good enough to travel with. Have a good trip with as many adventures as you can manage.

01 February 2023 - 11:52

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Seija, so wonderful with a plan for Belgium and the Netherlands! 🙂 Glad you want to follow our journey!!!
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:06
  
  Reply
BP says:

What a fantastic and unexpected welcome! It will be great fun to follow your adventure in the Philippines:-).

01 February 2023 - 16:53

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Right? Funny that you want to follow! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:07
  
  Reply
Travelsis.se says:

What a wonderful reception💕

01 February 2023 - 18:41

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Absolutely marvellous! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:08
  
  Reply
bmlarsreseblogg says:

What a great reception you got after a long journey! What fascinates me the most is your tiny packing. Those little backpacks don't even look like they're fully packed and you're going away for three months???
Have a great time! We are following your experiences with great interest.

01 February 2023 - 19:58

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much! Many have commented on our packing, so we'll probably write about it at some point! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:11
  
  Reply
Monica says:

What cute friends! And they look really cute! So much fun and have it now really nice and good, what an adventure! And the packing is smartly tested and thought with thought, small handbag plus a little bigger and always hand luggage without a thought of looking for bags.

Smart🙂

02 February 2023 - 2:16

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  But isn't it? Absolutely marvellous! And yes exactly, we have thought about the packing. In addition, we have tried to create space for if we might want to shop for some clothes 🙂.
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:13
  
  Reply
Maria @emjis.se says:

Good to have arrived! And what a lovely surprise from your friends!!!

02 February 2023 - 9:19

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes indeed! Wonderful! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:15
  
  Reply
Roger Silander says:

It will be really exciting to follow you and our daughter Julia & Micke on this adventure!

02 February 2023 - 12:13

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you for your comment Roger! What a great reception we got! We really look forward to travelling down Julia and Micke! Funny that you want to follow! 🙂
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:17
  
  Reply
Ann-Louise says:

It will be exciting to follow your adventure and like the others here I say that I am incredibly impressed with the packing. Can you take a pack light course with you when you get home? 🙂

02 February 2023 - 15:05

Reply
Ann-Louise says:

It will be exciting to follow your adventure and like the others here I say that I am incredibly impressed with the packing. Can you take a pack light course with you when you get home? 🙂

02 February 2023 - 15:06

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Funny that you want to follow Ann-Louise! Hehe, will think about it! Maybe it will be a post in any case 😉 😉
  
  02 February 2023 - 16:19
  
  Reply

Our trip to the Philippines - from Stockholm to Cebu

Writer: Helena Bergström

Departure from Stockholm

Route 1: Stockholm - Doha with Finnair

Change of flight in Doha

Route 2: Doha - Cebu with Qatar Airways

Arriving in Cebu, Philippines

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27 Comments

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Christian Muda says:

Eva W says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

Annika i Spanien says:

Helena says:

Seija Viitamäki-carlsson says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Travelsis.se says:

Helena says:

bmlarsreseblogg says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

Helena says:

Maria @emjis.se says:

Helena says:

Roger Silander says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise says:

Ann-Louise says:

Helena says:

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