| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
snuggels
960 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jun 2009 : 04:23:56
|
Because of the time and distance there are many who don’t like long distance travel. Which I can understand because in truth I don’t like it but if you want to see different parts of the world you aint got much choice. It’s a cross you have to bare
So let me tell you of my worst journey which took 63 hours. Now that’s long haul lol
Last year in November due to the civil uprising in Thailand Bangkok Airport was closed to all flights. No one could say when it would reopen.
I was booked to fly there with Kuwait Air Lines during that time. Flying via Kuwait.
On arrival at Heathrow passengers were told of the situation and we were told we could not fly.
All passengers were told they would have their money refunded as I had accommodation booked for 5 months I had to get there. I was told I could use the part of my ticket to go to Kuwait but from there I was on my own. My thinking at the time was if I could get to the landmass being Cambodia Vietnam or Malaysia I could then get a train bus or taxi to cross the border into Thailand.
On arrival in Kuwait at the information desk we searched of how get to any of the above countries all to no avail the only way was to travel to the Philippians then a flight to Kala Lumpa in Malaysia then I could catch a train into Thailand. I didn’t get to Malaysia until 2 in the morning so no trains or buses. To stay at a airport hotel until the morning I was quoted £350 for the night so the only way to do it was by taxi at £165.
So this is how it worked out. From my home a 2 hour taxi ride to Heathrow + 3 hours prior to flight
8 hours flight to Kuwait, 7 hours wait for connecting flight to Philippians, 8 hour wait for flight to Kala Lumpar Malaysia and a flight time of 7.5 hours.
A 10 hour taxi ride to the Thai border 3 hours thru check point and immigration then a 12 hour bus ride to Bangkok finally 2.5 hour taxi ride to Jomtien and my accommodation.A total of 63 hours
On walking into the expats bar in Jomtien unshaven and had very little sleep looking the worst for ware. There were faces of amazement and the comment god look at the state of you and the question how the hell did you get here. My comment, it’s been an adventure I need a beer.
|
Edited by - snuggels on 20 Jun 2009 04:27:40 |
|
|
Lily
United Kingdom
422 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2009 : 11:34:29
|
| What an adventure - I admire your tenacity. |
 |
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2009 : 15:08:02
|
i know the route you original wanted, but why not fly into singapore , in case it happens again. HOW WAS THE BEER. |
|
|
|
snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2009 : 15:58:24
|
Yep Singapore was an option but as it was late at night in Kuwaite flights were limited. From the search at the infomation desk for flights the Plillpieans was the only option.
Just imagine if I had of got to Singapore which is twice the distance
to the Thai border than Karla Lumpa 20 hours in a taxi instead of 10 Ummmm your a masochist lol.
The beer didnt touch the sides. Pure nechtar lol |
Edited by - snuggels on 21 Jun 2009 15:58:59 |
|
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 13:09:46
|
snuggels, what no train from singapore, Kuala lumpa, NEXT, I keep thinking of you trying to get home to the family, did they miss |
|
|
|
snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 15:54:52
|
I was told no trains as it was the early hours of the morning or buses.
The one thing I was a bit conserned about over and above all the costs of eventualy getting there was would Kuwaite Airlines honour my return ticket as in theory the Bangkok part was cancelled. They asked how did I get there. I related my story and they were ammased.
They said under the circumstances yes they would honour it.
I tried to claim on my travel insurance but was told no travel insurance covers civil uprisings |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
