Day 1 -- Travel day
Saturday 2/21/2004
From: Merrimack, New Hampshire
To: Vernou, Guadeloupe
Total travel time: About 11 hours, door-to-door (including airport security, etc)
Everything was packed last night and put into the car. We had been going back and forth regarding how to get down to Logan Airport. We quickly ruled out a limousine, as they now set us back about $270 two-way, including tip. Using Flightline was not much cheaper, given that the kids are now older. Until just a few days ago we were set on using one-way rental with Hertz. But in the end we decided the rental car idea was too much hassle for not enough savings. Part of the problem is that it was more than twice the cost to rent a one-way from Logan and back up to New Hampshire than the other way around. This was despite my Hewlett-Packard discount.
We got up around 3:00AM in the morning and got ready. It did not take long until we were out in the car, my old 1991 Ford Crown Victoria. That car is old enough that I have no problems leaving at the airport for two weeks. The forecast called for light snow and sleet, but we lucked out and had clear roads all the way down. There was not much traffic. When we approached the city of Boston, we got to take the new road to the Callahan tunnel. It was much easier than we had anticipated. After we had unloaded the car by Terminal B, the kids guarded the bags while Lilli looked for a baggage cart. I took the Crown Vic to the long term parking. It was full, of course. Both lots were full. I either had the choice between $22/day at the central parking or go out of the airport to an overflow parking area at $80/week. I opted for the latter. It turned out to be quite easy. I took a shuttle bus back to the terminal. It only took me about 35 minutes round-trip. By the time I got back, Lilli had already checked in with the kids. All I had to do was to go up to the check-in counter and show an ID. At the gate, we ended up using the same gate as three years ago. We boarded the plane around 6:30AM.
In mid-air we had a warm breakfast. We did not get to sit next to each other this time. The boys were off in row 28 while me, Lilli and Izzy were in 21. The boys appeared to enjoy being on their own a bit. Izzy watched the inflight movie. The flight down to Puerto Rico was over in no-time. When we got off we could feel the warm and humid air. As last time, we arrived at one end of the airport relative to where we needed to be. By the time we arrived at the other end, Lilli sent the kids off to the bathroom to change clothes while I went up to the gate where they had called our name. It turned out they were waiting for us. We got the kids out of the bathroom in a hurry and got outside to wait for the airport shuttle. It was raining outside, but we stood under a roof. We got off last from the bus. The rain had stopped. This was a bit of a problem by the time we got to the plane as these small ATRs have their entrance in the rear. When we got on-board our seats had been taken by other people. The stewardess explained that this was because the passengers had rushed on board when it rained. Did not make much sense to me, as it does not take much effort to look at your ticket at the same time. So we ended up being a bit spread out in the plane. But the plan ride is short enough that it is does not matter. It is a two propeller plane that flies at 17,000ft. While in the air, I filled in the paperwork to land. I had a vague suspicion that they would not need these papers. But I did not want to take the risk that they would ask for it when I finally arrived at the officer.
We got to walk from the plane into the airport terminal. It was so nice and warm. The weather was just beautiful. For a brief moment, we were stuck outside the terminal because the corridor leading up to the customs officer was blocked with people. When we finally arrived he did not even look at all the papers I had prepared. Oh well! Once in the luggage terminal I went through customs to try to hook up with the car rental place. First, I needed to call them. For that I needed money. A quick stop at the ATM got me 200€. I then proceeded to try to break a 20€ bill in a local store. They did not want to do it and asked me to go to the local "Exchange". I tried once more in another store. Same deal. I finally went to the "Exchange". Unlike what I expected, they did not charge a commission. Armed with coins I went over to the public phones. They do not take coins, only phone cards!! I went back to the "Tabac" to buy a phone card. While waiting, Jean-Jacques (the owner of the bungalows we are renting) greeted me. Very nice of him to come. I tried to make use of the phone card but could not figure it out in the hurry I was. Jean-Jacques called from his phone. I would later learn that this was more or less a useless phone card in that it only worked in very specific cases.
While we waited outside for the rental car person to come by, Lilli came out and told us our luggage was missing. After I left, Lilli waited for the luggage for about 10 minutes until reporting it as missing. When she got ready to fill in papers she realized she needed the luggage tickets I had in my backpack. Typical. She filled in papers while Jean-Jacques and I waited outside with the kids. I then went over with the rental "navette" to pick up the first car. When I got back Lilli told me that Bengt had not yet shown up with the 3:30PM plane from Paris. We waited some more. Lilli tried, and failed, to get Air France to tell her if Bengt had made it or not. I went back there and asked the same thing. Sure enough, they had missed the connecting flight in Paris and were on the next plane slated to arrive at 6:30PM. Lilli learned that American Airlines would drive our bags up to Vernou tomorrow. So we decided to leave the airport. I hopped in with the kids into Jean-Jacques SUV, while Lilli took our rental car to Carrefour, to buy some food, as the stores are closed tomorrow. When we arrived at the bungalows, Jean-Jacques offered to leave his SUV for me to use. I declined, but appreciated his generosity. Lilli came arrived not far behind, with food. I took a quick sandwich and then headed down to the airport to meet up with Bengt and Lotta.
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| Isabella can't keep her hands away: a lizard (male anole) |
I arrived at the airport just as their flight arrived. They were on. They were tired, but at least they had their luggage. They told us a few horror stories about why they were delayed (to be captured later). But everything was under control now. By now it was dark outside. I picked up the second car with Bengt and we loaded up. Lotta and Louise went with me, while Bengt took Lucas and Adam. I managed to take the wrong turn out of the airport which is not hard as there are very few street lights. But as the island is rather small, you cannot get very far off course. A trip that would normally take about 20 minutes took more like 35 minutes. We arrived just before 8PM. The kids were tired. We ate a little bit, talked and went to bed around 9PM. I was sure nice to be down here.