One would think after living here in the US for close to 6 years now and having a sister who worked in the airlines for many years would have actually cured my flying phobia.
MMmmmm… WRONG!!!
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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!
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Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it – Maya Angelou.
I can’t recall when was the last time I actually slept for 6 hours or so. The max was 3 hours. For months. It was grueling. And was about to be even more nightmarish 
The flight from Orlando to Amsterdam, though pleasant, I could not sleep a wink!
Clear blue sky!
Gazing into Netherlands
Arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on 17th Feb 2009, at 11:30am. It’s freaking chilly! As I make my way towards the baggage carousel, I realized that I did not know which carousel would have my luggage. So, the panicky girl I am – I panicked! Calm down Kiran, there is nothing to worry about. So what if these people spoke more Dutch than English? I approached an officer on duty, and with a sigh of relief, he explained to me where I would get my carousel information. In English! Yay! Hail O’ Netherlanders!
I claimed my luggage and walk towards customs and security, with a breeze. It was a “touch and go” security. At God’s speed. Har*, Jessy* & Tas** was constantly on sms with me, awaiting for my arrival. Very sweet of them 🙂 Meeting them – with teary eyes, laughter & smiles – after a very long time. Bitter sweet reunion. Thank god Jessy brought a jacket and scarf for me. It’s freakishly cold! What’s wrong with the EU weather? It was chilly, dark and gloomy.
Jessy & Tas's apartment 🙂
We headed towards Jessy & Tas’s apartment, where I was greeted with warmth from the heater and amazing scent of home made food. Pure bliss. We ate, laughed, shared stories and exchanged gifts for one another. Though extremely exhausted – not sleepy – the feeling of content, being surrounded by family are beyond words.
18th February 2009 – We decided to stay put at home due to my lack of sleep, exhaustion and jet lag. The next day was my next direct flight, and this time, the destination would be Malaysia – Truly Asia. I barely slept at all Perhaps due to excitement?
Part 3 coming up, stay tuned!
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Click here to read my previous Travelogue’s.
* my sister’s
** my brother in-law
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Gosh! OMG! How? When? Where? and definitely, how much?
We stared in disbelief’s as me and hubby begin our travel arrangements months before. Planning flight tickets, dates, routes and many more was a huge migraine. Not to forget, the luggage nightmare! Endless packing and unpacking. But we did it! Enjoyed our vacation and now I am back with loads of experience and pictures to share.
February 16th 2009. My first flight out of Florida!
Route: Orlando-Memphis-Amsterdam.
Heart sank leaving hubby behind. With 2 large luggage checked in, I had a laptop carry on and a packed handbag. I went through security check-in and it “beeped”! Sigh! I was searched thoroughly by a security officer. Bummer! Then, she found the problem. It was my blackberry snugged in my jeans back pocket. What can I say? I am not a frequent flier 😉 I was cleared by security and proceeded gathering my unpack handbag, laptop and shoes that went through the security belt. Gosh, I was tired already by this time. I rushed towards the gate for my flight. I thought of lunging my laptop and handbag into a trashcan. But I recalled it holds my passport, boarding pass, travel itinerary, medicines, handy cam and many essential items. Ladies, can we ever pack lightly?
As I arrived at the gate, it was almost boarding time. I said my goodbye’s to dear hubby in the hopes of meeting him soon. The flight from Orlando to Memphis was packed and unfriendly. I have never in my life experience such rudeness from flight attendants. Ever. As I made my way towards my Economy class seat, I was having trouble looking for space at my seat over-head compartment. It was all taken. I was looking around for assistance to help me look for an empty compartment where I can safely secure my laptop carry-on. A NorthWest Airlines flight attendant looked at me and assumed that I wanted her to lift my bag and lunge it into the compartment. With an annoyance to her voice, she refused to help me lift my bag 😀 She claims that it was her chiropractor’s order not to lift any weight and destroy her back or posture! Huh! I was so angry! Hello Maam, my sister was also a flight attendant. So, please stop lecturing me on what you can or can’t do and pay attention to my question. I was requesting help in locating an empty over-head compartment and not lifting of my luggage. You fool! I just sneered and another passenger helped me. Civilians are kinder and dependable. Often.
Ok, to cut the story short (in order to avoid boredom) I arrived at Memphis, Tennessee airport just in time for my connecting flight to Amsterdam. Thankfully, the flight was pleasant though I could not sleep 🙂 It’s not always a happy ending, don’t you agree?
Part 2 coming up, stay tuned!
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