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2010 Travelogue Part 1 – Chaos

A very long overdue post about my recent travels to Malaysia, India and Amsterdam. But a must share of experiences that I encountered along the way.

First up, packing continued till the last minute. Left for the airport. Arrived at the check-in counter. Rummaged into handbag for my air-ticket. Go figure. Of course we left it at home! Nervous to the teeth!!! Hubby rushed home…Found the ticket, rushed to the air-port and low-behold, made it to the gate just minutes to spare 😀 Was sad that me and hubby had less time to spend before my flight. Orbitz issued me book tickets instead of an e-ticket. And yes, it’s unexplainable!

Nine hours to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam for my connecting flight to Malaysia. It was uncomfortable. And not without a drama. The book-ticket continues to haunt. I arrived barely 1.5 hours before my connecting flight to find the transfer counters empty! Gosh! I needed a boarding pass, it can’t be so difficult right? While dragging my luggage, I ran all the way to the other end of the airport to gather more information for the next flight. And what do I get? A frumpy-grumpy attendant explaining the reason why she gave away my chosen seat on flight.

The grumpy conversation:

Flight attendant (FA): Hi, your ticket?

Me: (too groggy and lousy from the jet-lag).. hhmm, what? Oh yeah, here is my book ticket. Why isn’t there anyone tending at the transfer desks?

FA: I was there 2.5 hours ago! You are late and I have released your window seat! All window seats are taken!

Me: { Flabbergasted! There is still an hour to flight} Your tone is too rude missy. And for your information, this is my connecting flight. Even if I were to jump off the plane, I can promise you that my swimming skills wouldn’t help me arriving here 2.5 hours ago! I demand to speak to your manager. And can you please be so kind and hand me a complaint form or something? Your customer service skills are much appreciated 😀

FA: Gimme a minute!

Me: Take your time, I am too tired to argue now 😉

Sigh. I went and took a seat awaiting to board the plane. A tap on the shoulder and the Manager on duty apologized instead of handing over a complaint form or explaining the atrocious behavior her staff displayed.  I was assigned a window seat finally. Any window seat is fine, not aisle! That amounts to jinxing my departure 😀

In summary, there is no harm in demanding. In a gentle gesture. Or so I thought!

Touchdown at KLIA Malaysia in the wee hours after 12.5 hours of flight. With horrid, battered and bruised face I was ready to hit the sack. Met parents at the arrival hall. Hugs and kisses. Arrived home and slept all the day. Mummy’s cooking lingered and I knew I am back into the arms of my loved ones 🙂 Sadly, left a piece of my heart in Orlando.

To be continued… This was just the beginning of a wonderful vacation!

{ 11 comments }

1 Sudarshan May 14, 2010 at 1:37 AM

Looking forward to Part II (this one was boring 😉 ) 😛
.-= Sudarshan´s last blog ..All over again….. not really!! =-.

2 Kiran June 14, 2010 at 2:07 AM

Haha.. You are a very straight-forward and impatient person. Have you read Part 2?

3 Jagdesh May 15, 2010 at 2:47 AM

Girl you are really good a this ( I mean blogging not being forgetful 😉 You go Sista! Looking forward to the to be countinued…..

4 Jagdesh May 15, 2010 at 2:51 AM

Gosh my typing!! Please ignore the spelling error, it’s just a phase I’m going thru at the moment ;-0 The little one says hello Masiji!

5 Kiran June 14, 2010 at 2:08 AM

Good at this because I’m not employed at the moment. Missing every one, including the little one. Love you Jeevan 🙂

6 HOBO(nickname) May 15, 2010 at 10:12 AM

The running post – will say.
You were in hurry for sure.

7 Kiran June 14, 2010 at 2:09 AM

Yes, it was a very tiring journey.

8 tasty chomps May 18, 2010 at 4:29 PM

cant wait to hear about the rest of the trip! im going to hong kong in july!

9 Kiran June 14, 2010 at 2:10 AM

I’m still working on the post. Have fun in HK and don’t forget to post about your experience. I’ve read and heard everything is so expensive in HK.

10 John Rife May 19, 2010 at 8:55 AM

LOL – oh the joys of international travel. Kam and I just got back from a NZ/AUS trip with our families – our 15 month old included. Talk about having fun on 14 hour flights with a squirming toddler. Whoa….but it is always worth it to experience other cultures and places. Hope your trip was a blast.

11 Kiran June 14, 2010 at 2:11 AM

My trip was a blast and yours sounds like you all had a blast as well 🙂

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