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.
Ursäkta 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 nere för vår kompletterande frukost och var i vördnad för utsikten. Eftersom vi hade dykt upp så sent, kunde vi inte se inställningen av gästhuset, men i ljuset av dagen var det framför oss i all sin härlighet!
Stranden
En underbar, lång sträcka av gyllene sand var faktiskt idealisk utanför gästhusdörrarna. I själva verket åt vi vår frukost på bord som stöttas upp på stranden, med sanden mellan tårna.
Inte en dålig utsikt till frukost!
Vi var tidigt tillräckligt för att njuta av freden och lugn på stranden innan folkmassorna anlände, vilket var precis vad vi behövde.
Ah, lugn!
Vår tid i Puerto Rico var kort, dock extremt söt. Vi var inte säkra exakt vad vi kan förvänta oss av denna amerikansk-karibiska ö, men våra intryck under vår snabba resa var det alla extremt positiva.
Den charmiga Ocean Park Beach
Den olika atollen använder sanddyner, regnskog, stränder, saltlägenheter och berg. Hade vi mycket mer tid, skulle vi ha utforskat ytterligare.
Maten
Maten är en härlig blandning av afrikanska såväl som spanska påverkan, liksom vi njöt av smakfulla måltider på de regionala restaurangerna. Mofongo var vår mycket älskade maträtt, liksom de färska skaldjursmåltiderna på stranden var också välsmakande.
Kycklingmofongo
En oförglömlig ahi tonfiskmåltid på Pamela’s Restaurant, som är ansluten till Numero 1 Guesthouse
Gamla stan San Juan
Den gamla kolonialstaden San Juan är ett måste. De glansiga blå kullerstensgatorna var mycket unika såväl som El Morro -fortet som dominerade ingången till San Juan Harbour är absolut värt ett besök.
Utsikt över Atlanten från El Morro -fortet
Vi vandrade runt i timmar och tittade upp på bitbalkongerna kopplade till färgglada byggnader och tyckte om livets livlighet.
De blå kullerstensgatorna var så coola!
El Yunque Rainforest
Även om vi inte riktigt kunde vandra vid El Yunque Rainforest som planerat, från vad vi har hört, liksom från de utsikt vi hade på körningen där uppe (och från drönaren!), Är detta en magisk område.
Om du funderar på vattenfall såväl som vandring, är detta platsen att gå – även om det varnade kan det vara extremt hektiskt under högsäsongen.
En fågelperspektiv av El Yunque Rainforest
Vi är extatiska över att återvända till denna ö igen i juni. Detta är en plats som vi tycker borde ha mycket mer tid. Den latinska musiken såväl som kultur blandad med den tröga rytmen i Karibien var en berusande blandning som gjorde att vi önskade att vi inte behövde lämna så snart.
I slutet
Resor är alltid lite av ett spel. Vissa dagar, vad som helst som går smidigt såväl som enkelt, medan andra, önskar du att du bara kan gå tillbaka till sängen och ha en do-over. För oss verkar det ofta som om det när det regnar, det häller.
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. It’s all part of the life of a traveller.
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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