Not all travel days run like clockwork. This is something we’ve discovered after 7 years of wandering around the world. as well as even though we were conscious that incidents can occur (and will), we weren’t gotten ready for our dreadful travel day from Barbados to Puerto Rico.
We shown up at the flight terminal great as well as early (we’re notoriously early for everything), as well as prepared to check-in to our LIAT flight.
We were those people at the check-in counter. The lineup was full of anxious travellers waiting to get their boarding passes as well as decrease off their heavy bags. We were holding up the line while rummaging around our packs, pulling out charging cords, books, laptops as well as trying to make the bit neon indication on the scale read: 15 pounds.
Once the weight problem was sorted, we were told that we owed $800 for our flight tickets – which obviously we hadn’t paid for.
A funny Acronym That LIAT has embraced From Its Passengers
We had our on the internet Visa statement proving that we had paid, as well as we likewise had e-tickets, so this made no sense whatsoever.
We were then told that we really didn’t have a seat on the plane, as well as that there were no flights to Puerto Rico for 2 days, potentially 3.
Undskyld mig?!
This wouldn’t work for us, as our flights were already booked to Istanbul from Puerto Rico.
Never had we ever experienced anything rather like this. When the very disrespectful as well as uninterested LIAT agent didn’t want to assist us, or describe anything to us, we contacted Expedia (who we booked through).
Expedia verified that yes, we had paid for the tickets as well as indeed we were on the flight.
The Expedia representative really contacted LIAT directly as well as sorted it all out for us!
After about 30 minutes, the supervisor appeared from the back room, made a few taps on the computer, as well as printed off our boarding passes – without stating anything, mind you. The only reason we understood what was going on was since we still had Expedia on the Skype call.
When we shown up at the gate, we were told the flight was delayed 2 hours.
Waiting for our flight to ultimately take off
At this point, we didn’t care, we were going to be leaving Barbados that night as well as we were just glad to be on the plane!
When we touched down in San Juan, Puerto Rico at midnight, we were excited to pick up our cars and truck that we had rented for 3 days, drive to our beachfront guesthouse as well as immediately pass out.
Unfortunately, no sleeping would be had up until 2:30am.
We’re lastly in the air!
The shuttle to pick us up as well as take us to the rental company close-by was to show up in “10 minutes after we land”. After waiting 30 minutes, we called a second time. “Yes, sir, he will be there in 10 minutes”. We waited, as well as waited.
Nick ended up calling the business about 6 times from other people’s phones, up until finally, they stopped answering our calls.
Our data on our SIM card from Barbados had run out after the second contact us to the rental agency.
After waiting on 2 hours at the airport, we made a decision to just take a taxi to our guesthouse, which defeated the function of having a rental car, as the expense of 1 day in the cars and truck is similar to a taxi.
We were likewise hesitant to leave since we believed we would be charged a cancellation charge for the car.
We were booked in to stay at the Numero 1 Guesthouse, as well as luckily, we had no problems keeping that part of our travel day. We were greeted by the welcoming night personnel as well as were shown to our room. Thankfully, our colourful lodging was cooled in anticipation of our arrival – Puerto Rico was much a lot more damp than Barbados!
Our space at the Numero 1 Guesthouse, liked working from the balcony ?
We were both exhausted, frustrated as well as in all honesty, bummed out. This was the begin of our interesting 5 month trip, however so far, the very first leg of the experience had been a mess.
The complying with morning, we were able to believe a lot more clearly.
We contacted Expedia once again as well as explained our cars and truck rental situation. We absolutely must have booked with a reputable rental business like Alamo, rather than the random one we were having to offer with.
Just like the day before, Expedia dealt with the problem as well as made sure our credit score card was not charged any type of thing at all.
Once that was finalized, we were complimentary to get on with our time on the island.
We made our metHod nedenunder til vores komplementære morgenmad såvel som var ærefrygt for udsigten. Da vi havde dukket op så sent, var vi ikke i stand til at se indstillingen af pensionatet, men i lyset af dagen var det foran os i al sin herlighed!
Stranden
En smuk, lang strækning af gyldent sand var faktisk ideel uden for gæstehusdørene. Faktisk spiste vi vores morgenmad på borde støttet på stranden med sandet mellem tæerne.
Ikke en dårlig udsigt til morgenmad!
Vi var tidligt tilstrækkelige til at glæde os i freden såvel som ro på stranden, før skarer ankom, hvilket var netop det, vi havde brug for.
Ah, ro!
Vores tid i Puerto Rico var kort, dog ekstremt sød. Vi var ikke sikre på, hvad vi kunne forvente af denne amerikansk-caribiske ø, men vores indtryk under vores hurtige tur var der alle ekstremt positive.
Den charmerende Ocean Park Beach
Den forskellige atoll bruger sandklitter, regnskov, strande, saltlejligheder såvel som bjerge. Havde vi meget mere tid, ville vi have udforsket yderligere.
Maden
Maden er en dejlig blanding af afrikanske såvel som spanske påvirkninger, såvel som vi glædede os over smagfulde måltider på de regionale restauranter. Mofongo var vores meget elskede skål, såvel som de friske skaldyrsmåltider på stranden var også velsmagende.
Kylling mofongo
Et uforglemmeligt Ahi Tuna -måltid på Pamela’s Restaurant, der er forbundet til Numero 1 Guesthouse
Den gamle by San Juan
Den gamle koloniby San Juan er et must-see. De blanke blå brostensbelagte gader var meget unikke, såvel som El Morro Fort, der dominerede indgangen til San Juan Harbour, er absolut et besøg værd.
Udsigt over Atlanterhavet fra El Morro -fortet
Vi vandrede rundt i timevis og stirrede op på de bit balkoner, der var forbundet med farverige bygninger såvel som at glæde sig over byens livlighed.
De blå brostensbelagte gader var så seje!
El Yunque Rainforest
Selvom vi ikke rigtig var i stand til at vandre ved El Yunque Rainforest som planlagt, fra det, vi har hørt, såvel som fra de synspunkter, vi havde på drevet der oppe (og fra dronen!), Er dette en magisk areal.
Hvis du tænker på vandfald såvel som vandreture, er dette det sted at gå – selvom det kan advares, kan det være ekstremt hektisk i højsæsonen.
En fugleperspektiv af El Yunque Rainforest
Vi er i ekstase over at vende tilbage til denne ø igen i juni. Dette er et sted, som vi føler burde have meget mere tid. Den latinske musik såvel som kultur blandet med den svage rytme i Caribien var en berusende blanding, der fik os til at ønske, at vi ikke behøvede at forlade så snart.
Til sidst
Rejse er altid lidt af en gamble. Nogle dage, uanset hvad der løber glat såvel som let, mens andre, ønsker du, at du måske bare går tilbage i sengen såvel som at have en do-over. For us, often it seems as though when it rains, it pours.
But no matter exactly how dreadful a travel day may be, as well as no matter exactly how lots of hiccups develop along the way, we always try to keep in mind to be patient, keep our great as well as figure out a option to the problem. Det hele er en del af en rejsendes liv.
When we show up in a location as lovely as Puerto Rico, we are reminded of just exactly how lucky we are to be able to experience these places. travel has its ups as well as downs, however that what makes it such a fun adventure.
Have you ever been to Puerto Rico? We’re heading back there in 5 months as well as we’ve already had so lots of excellent suggestions from visitors so please, leave a comment as well as tell us what we must see as well as do when we return!
Also, Don’t miss Our quick Puerto Rico Video!
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