In the previous post heading home attempt #2 post I told you about the problems we had with our first attempt to get home from Goa. Our flight was delayed for 12 hours and Michele had left her purse in the taxi.
The delay of the flight was a good thing. That allowed us to get back to the resort and retrieve Michele’s purse.
Going Home the final attempt
We left for the airport at about 8pm. The flight was at 11:30 pm and the taxi trip should take about 1 hour.
At the Goa Airport
The recommendation is to be at the airport 3 hours before you flight. At the Goa airport this definitely true.
We arrived at the airport and there were several tour buses dropping off lots of people. The flight can take about 300 people. We had the taxi driver go to the entrance of the airport rather than the end of the line. We wanted to confirm that the flight was still on the schedule and was leaving at the same time. YES! The flight is still leaving at 11:30 tonight. It has not been delayed or canceled. We have a hope of getting home sometime soon.
We got two trolleys for our luggage (there was three of us leaving on the flight), counted all of our bags, purses, back packs, etc. We searched the seats to make sure we had left nothing in the taxi. The taxi was empty and the trolley was full.
To the end of the line
There was the usual armed military guards at the entrance to the airport and an airport official. We talked briefly with him about our trip and he offered to let us cut in to the line at the front. We being good Canadians declined that offer (there were have been lots of bad Karma there as well) and we walked to the back of the line. The line at that time was at least 500 feet long. There were more tour buses dropping off people all the time.
We joined the end of the line which stretched from the domestic flight entrance to the international flight entrance. The line moved along at a steady pace. We never stood still for very long. After about 30 minutes we were at the head of the line and ready to enter the airport once again. We were in this same position about 12 hours earlier.
Through the departure lounge
We got past the armed guards at the front door. They want to see your ticket and your passport. You can not get into the airport without the proper documents.
Baggage scan
Once inside the airport our baggage was immediately scanned and then a tamper proof strap was bound around each bag and a tamper proof sticker was applied across the zipper on the bag.
Check in
Then the baggage was back on the trolleys and off to check in we went. The lines were moving reasonably quickly as well.
There were no surprises at check-in. Get your boarding pass, and baggage tags and a tag for your carry on as well.
Immigration
From there we went to the exit immigration line. This line was moving nicely as well until all of the agents went on break at the same time. We had about 15 minutes while all of the agents got together and had a chat, went to the bathroom, got a drink or just simply leaned back in their chair and relaxed.
An interesting approach to getting a break. Rather than having a staggered break everyone goes at once.
15 minutes later the line is moving again. They stamp your travel visa. This means that you can not enter the country again for two months. You are allowed to enter the country multiple over the six months that the visa is valid for, but you have to wait two months between visits.
Security screening
Security screening was pretty normal. They had a separate line for women that was screened and not visible from the rest of the area.
Cigarette lighters was the most common item being confiscated.
Departure
Finally we were in the departure lounge. There was a line of people leaving through the doors. I went over to find out if it was for our flight. The line up was for a flight leaving for Prague in a few minutes. I was not planning on going to Prague.
There is one gate and all of the flights use that gate. As a result there is one departure lounge for all the flights.
We only had to wait about 15 – 30 minutes and then it was time for us to board our flight.
Through the doors, down the ramp and on to the tarmac. Across the tramac to our flight. It’s a huge plane with two very large engines. Climb the stairs and find you seat.
Why was the flight delayed 12 hours
Shortly before takeoff, the pilot came on the PA to explain why the flight was delayed.
There was a sick passenger on the flight to Goa and they had to divert to Cyprus to have him taken care of.
By the time that was accomplished, the pilots did not have enough duty hours left to get them all the way to Goa, so they had to take their rest break in Cyprus rather than in Goa. Once they were rested they took off to Goa to drop off their passengers and pick us up.
The London airports
London Immigration
We arrived at the Gatwick airport and discovered that there are two lines for immigration into England. One line for EU passport holders and the other line for the rest of the world (which includes the US). There was two of us in the World line and 298 or so in the EU line. There is a benefit to being from Canada.
we explained that we were in London for about 6 hours and would be leaving from Heathrow later that morning. That was the extent of the interview and away we went.
From Gatwick to Heathrow
We traveled from Gattwick to Heathrow on the National Express bus service. Much to my surprise, I was offered a senior’s rate for the ticket. It’s about half price. You have to take advantage of these benefits when they are offered.
The bus trip was about 90 minutes instead of 60 minutes. It was the morning rush hour in London and we joined the traffic and moved along at a reduced speed.
Heathrow lounge frozen
We got to our departure lounge only to discover that there was no heat in the lounge. We got to stand in the hallway outside of the lounge until departure time.
Will the plane take off?
We boarded the plane and prepared for departure. The wings were deiced and we pushed back from the gate. One of the passengers raised a concern with the flight crew. It appeared as though the deicing fluid had frozen in big piles on the wing. The first officer came to have a look and decided to have the wing cleaned again.
The deicing crew came and had a look. They said there was no problem, but the flight crew insisted that they clean the wing again. After a bit of discussion they agreed. However that meant that we had to go to a gate. They are not allowed to deice the plane in the taxiway.
We went to another gate and they deiced the wing again and then we were on our way after about a 30 minute delay.
Home at last
We arrived in Halifax without any further events. Now it is time to get through Customs and finally met Shirley.
Fill in the custom form. I have plant products. I had bought a gift box of spices during the spice plantation tour we did last week. So I ticked the appropriate box.
I am usually carefully about making sure that I declare everything. I am one of those folks that customs tend to check on fairly frequently due to my beard or maybe I am just lucky. Anyway I have been searched many times and this time was no exception.
Immigration
I got through Immigration with no problem. Now get your bags and get through customs. The guy at the exit takes your form and says one of three things:
- Welcome to Canada take the door to the left (for visitors)
- Welcome Home take the door to the left (returning Canadians)
- Please take the door to the right (For those of us that need to visit customs for a closer check)
I got option #3. Take the door to the right.
Customs
Eventually I got to talk to a very nice customs agent. She checked all of my bags and we had a bit of discussion about the box of spices. She consulted a senior agent and the conclusion was: If I am planning on planting the spices and growing them then I can not take them into Canada; If I am planning on eating the spices then they are food and I can bring them in.
Finally through the door and into Canada
There was Shirley waiting for me. We got home without any further events.
