Happy New Years from…..a plane!

 

Fireworks over the Charles' Bridge in Prague!

Where did you welcome in 2011? Well me? Me? Well in Vermont of course! That was an experience that consisted of two Americans, a Brit, a Canadian and a Bermudian walking into a pub……

No it’s not a joke, but it turned into one! It turned into one sick sea bass and three destroyed Kobe steaks……my story will all become clearer in my post another day.

For today it’s all about Robyn’s second Wanderer, Nicola Arnold. Where did this world ranger spend her New Year’s Eve? On a plane of course! Here is Nicola’s New Year’s post:

 

Nicola on her camel in India! (a previous trip of course!)

Greetings from Heathrow Airport in England, and a Happy 2011 to one & all!

My New Year’s Eve was spent on a jumbo jet, flying from Johannesburg to London, and to tell the truth – I quite enjoyed it! The last few years, New Year’s Eve parties have been a bit hit-or-miss, and I don’t mind spending NYE with friends and toasting with a glass of bubbly… hold the orange juice!

On the flight, we enjoyed a flute of champagne on our 10 hour flight (we meaning my parents and myself). The stewardess brought some at midnight (South African time), for those brave souls who resisted sleep and pulled all-nighters watching movies. I pride myself on being one of those movie-watchers on flights, even if I pay for it the next day. I indulged in a few children’s movies, such as Despicable Me (but I have to admit I fell asleep halfway through and had to re-watch the ending) … plus one of my old favourites, Monsters. Inc.

[On the subject of movies, I watched my first 3D movie in South Africa on a night at the movies with my cousins… TRON: Legacy. I know, I know, a guy’s movie, and I was with 4 male family members… but hey, I enjoyed the graphics and animation! Plus we watched the original 1982 version beforehand so we saw the leaps & bounds that technology has made in the movie-making world.]

So onward the journeys go! Right now, we’re ready to hop on another flight to Amsterdam to wander the canals, check out Anne Frank’s old digs and perhaps take photos in a mammoth-sized-Dutch-clog (I know one exists in the city, I just do not remember where). Then the last leg of the journey brings us back to England for a few days.

Next time I write, it will be from Bermuda – home sweet home!

Heathrow is sorry for sewage-covered-bags

Flying over the Glaciers of Patagonia, Chile.

You know that when you go on a trip, if you’re not a miniature business passenger or an incredibly resourceful vacationer, you are usually checking a bag.

In the good old days, i.e. about five years ago, this meant whatever you wanted. I remember when I moved myself from Rome to London on the discount airline Ryan Air. What did that mean?

It meant at least 50 kilos of clothes, books, and other “necessary” items. Now? Well now if I have over 10 kilos in a check-in I am turning into the marshmallow woman. Check-in bags? That will cost an extra $50 on top of my ticket.

And they’re not alone. Now Air Canada wants to charge you to check-in a second bag. American Airlines has.

And British Airways already did.

So you’d think with all these added fees someone might actually pay attention?

Well they didn’t at Heathrow’s Terminal One. Most Bermudians fly through Gatwick (our only way with British Airways), but here’s a warning if you transfer.

Just this week, not only did 240 people have to probably pay for these bags to go under the plane, they also had the added a free covering of raw sewage!!

Yes I wrote that. Raw Sewage!

“I’m sorry mam, why does my backpack smell like a toilet? Oh right because you dumped one on it!”

Now BAA, which runs Heathrow, is going to pay passengers $1,600 toward the bags – all of which could not be salvaged. The total bill? $384,000.

To be honest….not enough. Oh and sorry they did say they were sorry! That will save my favourite sweater. Sarcasm is free on this website.

But that won’t save the other bags that have been set on fire or simply lost!

Have you flown through Philadelphia lately? Have you still got your bags? You’re the lucky one. Four baggage handlers were arrested this week for “multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and attempted theft”.

These, hopefully former, employees of American Airlines will not be going to court! Check out the reports in Philadelphia.

Ok so I have to check a bag over a certain weight and now it’s just going to get stolen! Well for one thing I am definitely not leaving anything important in there again and neither should you!

This should give you heart for the weekend! Enjoy watching how your recently send Christmas packaged might be sent and give thanks that not everything has to go by plane!