Manila - Singapore - England - Scotland

After 13 hours, 3 movies, 5 TV shows, 2 full meals, 1 in-flight magazine (read from cover-to-cover) and numerous conversations with my colleagues, we finally arrived in London.. just in time to catch our connecting flight to Scotland!

* Thank God for the gift of aisle seating as I had the chance to stretch every few hours. I could have happily walked for miles upon arriving in Heathrow after that grueling flight duration.

* While Heathrow Airport has a reputation for being a black hole in terms of luggage, our whole group's was thankfully complete.

* Taking the connecting tube from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Terminal 5. Taken just as that gentleman was scolding me for stepping on the yellow line.

* Heathrow Terminal 5 is a HUGE, multi-layered, state-of-the-art, airport servicing 35 million passengers a year.

* Dedicated primarily to British Airways, the airport offers a lot of good food choices and duty free shopping, both of which I enthusiastically partook of.

* And here's the plane for our 3rd flight since we began this trip.

* Aberdeen Airport, while being tiny compared to the airports I've seen in my lifetime, had affordable food, clean restrooms, a stacked grocery (WH Smith) and most importantly, for the people in our party, FREE WIFI!

* A Ben & Jerry's ice cream vending machine. Only in Scotland!

* Though we were in Scotland, seeing this Chivas signage by the airport exit oddly made me feel like I was home.

* A gentleman lying in the smoking area outside the airport, like a boss!

* At this point of the journey, we entered the euphoric state that only occurs when one is very tired AND excited / enthusiastic at the same time. From here on, my travel buddy, Luis, and I had absolutely no problem finding topics to laugh about and things to laugh at, such as the name of this company. (Tip: say it out loud) 

* Or this random standing stone, which uncannily resembles a ....

* Or the name of this town! (Tip: say it out loud, as well)

* Or this Ford dealership, which wasn't even trying...

* Home for the next three days! Centrally located in the middle of the charming and historic town of Elgin, the Mansefield Hotel was as comfortable and home-y as they could come.

* While waiting for our welcome lunch to be served, the boys and I took the time to admire the rare, aged, Scotch brands proudly displayed all over the hotel.

* Now THAT is a bar!! Composed of brands 70% of which I had never heard of before this moment, I promised to sample at least a dozen of these before leaving this place.

* Because after a 3½ hour flight from Manila to Singapore with a 6 hour lay-over, a 13 hour flight from Singapore to London with a 4 hour lay-over, an hour and a half flight from London to Aberdeen, and an hour and 45min bus ride to Elgin, THIS attic room is a sight for sore eyes and feet.