This is the view from our room in Napa California. Each morning We would look out our window and these glorious hot air balloons were taking off right near us!
My Family and I were on our way to Greece, Our flight was leaving from JFK (not my favorite airport). When We arrived on an early Friday evening in June the airport was complete chaos. We checked in and very quickly found out that they had somehow mixed up our passports with someone elses plane tickets!!! They sent our luggage to Ireland and Their luggage to Greece. They couldn’t stop the flight from taking off and there were at least 10 of our suitcases filled with beautiful things and those beautiful things were not going to Greece and now neither were We.
We were devastated, My children were in tears and I was desperately trying to comfort them. I was also on a damage control mission (I have mentioned my type B husband…even this didn’t seem to upset him) I contacted my insurance agent to make sure I was covered for everything in those suitcases should they not make it back to JFK. I worked on the airline trying to explain everything to them, I was calling our driver telling him to please return to the city to pick us up and take us home. It was a nightmare.
I was on the phone round the clock for three days straight not sleeping for 1 minute..I was delirious, but I was not going to stop until this situation was corrected. By Sunday morning We received a phone call that our luggage had arrived back at JFK. What a relief. Now it was time to re-book another trip immediately!! We still had a lot of money tied up in this two week vacation so I knew I had to plan something good, but a lot more affordable than the European trip. We called Our pet sitter to make sure she was available to babysit our little “farm” and then I pulled out a file on Napa California and San Francisco that I had filed away in my travel wish list folder. I asked the kids if they wanted to go there and everyone did so I booked it and in days We were off. We had been to San Fransisco, but not to Napa so everyone was very excited. I also re-booked the Greece trip for the following June and added several days in Venice and Turkey as well as Croatia. We were also reimbursed for a lot of our expenses BUT not all.
Even though it was horrible it ended up being phenomenal!! Napa surpassed our expectations and San Francisco and Berkley were delightful as always.
This was an unusual travel experience for us and We have travelled throughout the World. I am actually, dare I say it “Happy” this happened because We got to go to Turkey and that was not on our original itinerary. Have any of you had any similar travel experiences and if so what were they??
So when you travel…go with the flow…Life is an adventure.
How did We get here!!! Oh it doesn’t matter We LOVE it
steak frites at Bouchon. I still looked dazed and confused!!!
Banana blossom salad in Calistoga, CA
Very refreshing indeed.The Wine Trail, The vista Dome
Bunny,
Your life is a true adventure! And I love how you always make it end so perfecty happy!
Here's to traveling with an open mind!
~Melissa
WoW! That was wild!
What a harrying experience but it looks like you got a fabulous outcome. I'm dying to go to Napa!
Napa is amazing and I'm lucky to live within driving distance!
You certainly have such an adventurous spirit and you know how to make lemonade when you get handed a big fat lemon, one of the reasons I adore you!
Travel nightmares??? Sadly I haven't traveled enough to experience a nightmare…but I can't wait!! ha!!
You do have a positive outlook just as you should to be a true world traveler. I would of followed your luggage to Ireland! Your children are adorable!
Thanks for sharing terrific adventures.
Cheers,
Deb
I've never had a trip switched up that drastic. At least you still enjoyed yourselves and best of all you got your luggage back. A miracle!