The Iceland Volcano and the Travel Chaos – My Personal Experience
The Iceland Volcano and the Travel Chaos – My Personal Experience
By Gareth P
Sunday April the 11Th 2010 was the date of departure for my family to go on holiday to Majorca. It was my two year old son’s first holiday abroad. The short holiday for one week started as usual and we soon got into the holiday mood.
Then on Wednesday we needed to go to the hotel reception. We had over heard the receptionist saying ‘all flights had been grounded and canceled due to a volcano that had erupted in Iceland.’ We were in disbelief. We decided to check out the news on line and on the TV. It was true, we laughed, I was so amused. We didn’t worry. ‘We’re going home Sunday, it will have all cleared by then. Let’s not worry, just enjoy the rest of our holiday.’
Then Friday came, no improvement and any chances of improvement were looking unlikely. Our airline then announced all flights to be canceled until Monday. ‘Oh dear we won’t be going home then’.
At this point many holiday makers started to talk, become friendly and very helpful. The spirit from every holiday maker was fantastic unlike the hotel staff who wasn’t prepared to help people save money or get the information they needed. Advice was given to book the next available flight on-line from one holiday maker. Thanks who ever you are! We gladly helped and assisted others do the same, the spirit was unbelievable. We found it cheaper to book extended accommodation on line, again this information was told to anyone we found struggling. The hotel was not prepared to match the price, totally disgusting.
The flight was booked for the following Friday and the accommodation booked to match, we were sorted. Just had to tell my manager at work. At least I had the best excuse in the world. We were really hoping that this flight would not be canceled as we had just about run out of cash. Everything in Majorca was very expensive, we purchased some much needed items. I will never forget the 16 nappies we bought for my little boy that was 10 euros, as near to ten pounds with the current exchange rate.
We now had everything sorted out, all inclusive accommodation with everything we needed, ‘time to start enjoying our extended holiday.’ It really was great, the weather was fantastic, the other holiday makers friendly and in good spirit. It really did make a great holiday. The only real problem was if you weren’t reading about the volcano and aircraft crisis, you would be watching it on the news or talking with others about it.
Then came the good news that the aircraft could fly just a few days before our departure. Thankfully it stayed that way. We boarded our rescheduled flight with no problems and returned home. We were really lucky, we spoke to people who had their second flight canceled. Some had to stay up to nearly two weeks over there expected departure date. I am really glad we didn’t go to the airport, we heard loads of horror stories of chaos. Then to find out that ours and many other flights were not fully boarded was very disappointing as people really wanted to go home.
If you should find yourself in a situation similar to this you should.
Watch the news, Read Papers and find information about the current situation. This will aid you in your decisions.
Keep checking your flight on-line and as soon as it is canceled rebook the next available flight. It is not unusual for this to be about a week away.
Get a price from your hotel at reception and on-line on websites such as alpha-rooms. You may find it cheaper on-line.
If money is a problem contact someone at home who can pay for your accommodation.
Contact family and work to let them know what is happening.
If you need medication go to the local pharmacy and see what they can do to help.
Now enjoy the rest of your extended holiday.
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