 The things in life that are worth it never seem to come easy. A week before we were set to leave for Bali Bucket seemed to have an injury again. We took him back to the neurologist who couldn't really give us too much information. It could be a muscle pull, it could be fatigue, it could be another disc problem. We were given instructions for strict rest and medicine to help with inflammation. Naturally I began freaking out thinking how could we go through this again, how could we leave him within a week to travel half way around the world, etc. etc. Luckily I have an amazing support system. My family, friends, and love ones are always there for us in any way possible.
Now it's the day we are flying and I go to pick up my mother to doggy sit. I have been having some jaw and neck pain for a couple of days so she convinces me to go to a clinic real quick just to double check myself. Sure enough I have an ear infection. Antibiotics and ear drops for 10 days (my entire trip). The doctor suggested going home and taking 4 antibiotics today and filling my ear with the drops and resting for a half an hour. At this point we are way behind schedule. I still have to finish packing, get showered, changed, and get the house settled for my mom and the dogs. It's 6:00 time for our pick up from Boston North Limo. Originally they suggested a 6:30 pick up for our 9:30 flight. I prefer to be at the airport at the suggested times (3 hours for international) because you just never know. At 6:05 we get a call saying that our car (a new towncar) broke down on the highway. The nearest car was at least a half hour away. We explained that that doesn't work for us and we're running late. Luckily Boston North Limo is a stand up company and has offered to reimburse us for the cost of the cab we had to call. After a missed highway exit, and hitting traffic we finally get to the airport. We head to British Airways to check in and sure enough there is a long line of people ahead of us. The agent checks us in and informs us that we will have to gather our Malaysia Airlines boarding passes once we reach London Heathrow. At this point everything sounds normal - definitely wrong (read on to find out our troubles in London). Next was the very long line at security and finally the very long line to get a sandwich before running to our gate. I asked my travel agent to reserve Vegan meals for my for all of my flights. I have found that no matter what I say; Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy Free I somehow end up getting dairy products! How difficult is it to read ingredients and properly identify allergies. Needless to say I always bring Larabars, Pure Bars, and Simple Squares. The British Airways flight was on a 747. This plane does not have any air vents. You are always hot, uncomfortable, and surrounded by others germs. The seats are very tight and do not give much leg room. You are provided with a personal tv and remote showing a variety of movies, tv, and games. My meal on this flight was Eggplant with Ratatouille but it also looked like it had a cream sauce. I was also given a fruit plate, salad with lemon olive oil, a roll, and dried fruit. I don't understand why but also on my plate was promise spread and creamer (both contained dairy). We arrive in London and you have to take a bus from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4. Next you go through security. Finally you have to go to a connections ticket counter for your next Boarding Passes. This entire process took us about an hour and a half. The agent at the connections desk informed us that the British Airways agent checked us in through to Bali but then released us from the flight landing in Bali. In addition to this our seats on our next two flights were given up and we weren't seated together. The agent spoke to her supervisor who allowed us two seats together in an exit row for our flight to Kuala Lumpur. For our flight into Bali she was able to get us two seats together but in the last row and in the middle of the plane. We were very thankful to her for at least finding seats together for us. Malaysia Airlines was very friendly and the flight (A380) was very smooth. My first meal was a fruit salad, a spicy stuffed pepper, rice, broccoli, crackers, and a mushroom dip that was awful. My snack was a tomato and cucumber sandwich. For Breakfast I was given Ravioli's in a tomato sauce.....ummm how is this Vegan Ravioli's have cheese. This was obviously a vegetarian meal not vegan. The flight attended offered me an Indian Vegetarian meal which I would have loved but they couldn't guarantee that it didn't contain dairy. In the end I just enjoyed the fruit. At this point I was hot, tired, and sick of flying so I obvioulsy forgot to write down any details on our flight from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar. I do remember that it was a bit rocky but felt fast. We arrived in Bali and as you follow the masses you will find the Visa payment booths on your left hand side of the room. This is where you must stop first. After you receive your visa you head to Immigrations. This was the first immigrations booth where you do not go up as a family. It is per person. Finally we found our luggage - yay both pieces made it! You walk through another security check and past the money exchange booths and finally outside to meet your driver. We met with the hotel rep (holds a sign for the hotel but not your name for security). The representative walked us through the airport, stopped at the bathrooms for us, and then escorted us to our driver. For my review of The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah visit here.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
