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Posted by:

chriskeyes

Date:

March 16th, 2007 6:12 AM

Header:

My Dream Flight

Bulletin:

The original travel plan was simple: 8:30am checked in KL and via Singapore/ Mauritius en route to paradise, Seychelles with an ETA late evening. Cool, right? I even planned a 4-hr city tour of Mauritius because of a 6-hr transit.

Unfortunately, what I had to endure was a real adventure: reaching airport at 7:00am, my flight was not listed. The information counter was no help. Please wait was their advice. 15 min later another person said I have asked my officer to come and talk to you. Gee how reassuring. At about 8:00am, we were told there was a cyclone and the plane may/ may not have left Mauritius. No one was sure

By around 9:00am, we were told there was a delay. We were given vouchers and could check in our luggage. After going through immigration at noon and proceeding to the "free meals" section, we were told there was further delay. What are we to do? Sit and listen to PA updates

This went on until nearly 4:00pm. A representative of the airlines said it was an Act of God. There would be no compensation. And she literally fled away on the escalator leaving everyone's questions unanswered!!!

The helpful airport staff arranged accomodations in some out-of-the-way village for everyone. We were told to stay there and updates to continue to pour in via the hotel. We were even woken up at 3:00am to be told that flight was 11:00am.

Two more delays ensued. Our luggage was still at the airport. We were told to buy whatever we need from the hotel shop!!!

Finally we took off at around 5:00pm. Reaching Singapore, we waited for passengers boarding from there. And then we waited. And waited. And to no one's surprise, another delay.

I reached Mauritius about 11:00pm. At the transit counter, the dude advised that the next available flight was Monday afternoon. However, I cannot block a seat and have to return the next day for that. As for the night, the guy said I will have to find my own accomodation.

Oh yeah! This is the first airport I have been in where not a single hotel rep was available to push sales. And the Tourist Info Ctr guide was a great help - please get the taxi to advice was her answer.

I ended up staying at some guest house workers' quarters - no sheets or towels available due to the weather.

To end this long drawn out bitching, I finally reached Seychelles 7:00pm on Monday - more than 2.5 days later!!! And my luggage was soaked through???

This definitely ranks right up there as the best travel experience I have ever had - beating the 2004 tsunami even!

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