On the day of our flight from Johannesburg to Dubai there were mixed feelings between the members of the family. My daughter and I all happy and laughing,although I was sad about leaving everyone behind.My husband and children sad to see us went.My son-in-law took us to the airport. Our flight was sceduled for 2.15 p.m. We went through the whole process in a relative short time. Then we were in the air.The flight went well and we land in Dubai at 10.15 p.m. When we were still in the air over Dubai and the surounding cities it look just like a chrismastree. Absolute breathtaking.The patterns of the city-lights and the country roads that look like long snakes,keep us riveted to the scene outside.The landing and the transfer over,we were in the air again. The little time we had in Dubai was too. short to look at anything as it was only for one and a half hour and at night. Oh the sight of England when we were over it nearly made this woman cried. The green countryside was unbelieveble. When we descent the plane I've got this feeling that I have come home(maybe in another lifetime, although I don't believe in it.) The airport at Gatswick however was a nightmare experience. Firstly we were totaly lost. We were to catch a national flight from there to Dublin and did not have a clue where their counter was and we only have 3 hours to get everything done. After much asking and searching we at last get to the correct place, but alas it was not to be the end of our troubles.When we weigh our baggage they told us the max for their flight was only 15 kg. As we were told by Emeritz and Travalgar that we could take up to 25 kg, we,ve got a BIG problem. So in the end we paid € 240 ( R 2800) for the excess weight.I must add that I already was not feeling very friendly towards this specific airline. When our first choice Ireland tour were changed, we also ghange the date of our original flight.The airline did not want to return the first bookings fare and that meant that we have to paid it again (all in all R 6000) for the 2 flights. Next they don,t want to take our travalers-checks, only cash. Back to the long rows of people and back again.After nearly 36 hours without sleep( can't sleep on planes)it was no longer a joke. At last we were off.After Dublin's tight security,we did not look around the airport much. Yust waiting eagerly for our ride to the hotel. After nearly missing the bus from Travalger we were pleasantly surprised by all their trouble.The TD and the driver came excpecialy for us with the big travalgar bus.They were very friendly and informitive,so the ride to our hotel was made real short for my daughter and I.At last we were at our hotel in Dublin.
Posts: 577 | Location: S.A. | Registered: 08 March 2008
Great start Rex! I wish I could write in another language as well as you do. How annoying to have to pay so much for your excess especially after paying your fares twice! Surely they had made enough profit out of you . Glad Trafalgar looked after you. I know what you mean when you say you feel like you have come home, I felt like my English and Scottish grandparents were with me. Keep up the good work!
Posts: 869 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 27 March 2008
Oh Rex! What a ghastly time at Gatwick! Did you ever manage to get a refund? It says a lot for your endurance that you could cope with it at all.
Anyway, now we've read - with great enjoyment - as far as the beginning of Dublin. You're not going to be another South African Lost in the UK and Ireland, are you?
Can't wait for the next thrilling instalment!
Posts: 765 | Location: Adelaide, Australia | Registered: 10 February 2008
Worst of all,we have to pay excess again when we return to England.Only this time $ 300.ON the return flight home Emeritz max change to 20 kg.STRANGE.So again we pay.All in all about R 12 000.That are a lot of money for us, but I'm ready for next year.
Posts: 577 | Location: S.A. | Registered: 08 March 2008
just wandering aloud.. weight is important on planes for obvious reasons. Why not have a combined weight per passenger plus luggage, maybe say 95kg and any excess on that you pay. and no I do not weigh 75kg I would end up paying a little extra though not as much as the last bloke I had to endure sitting next to.
Hi Arabee~ Qantas did this for us re our luggage on a couple of trips.Both times it was my suitcase that was a little over in weight, from memory about 2kgs, as our other cases were under the limit we were let through no extra charge. Since my suitcase was heavy , I now have a lightweight case for a next trip
I have often wondered about passengers weight myself ever since we booked a flight over the reef (it was eventually cancelled due to days of windy weather ). The operators asked us what our weight wasa for that flight, so I wondered why the "big planes" never asked. Could you imagine the screams if they ever did?
Cheers Jewel Smile, it costs nothing to give a good impression!
Posts: 1152 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 July 2007
Indeed Jewel, I had my tongue firmly in my cheek because I could imagine the screams but when they make someone pay as they did for Rex I think a fairer approach as your fine airline (Qantas)did for you is the right way to go.
Trafalgar Tours is not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed on this Bulletin Board. The comments are from private individuals and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the company.
. Glad Trafalgar looked after you.
That is an enormous amount for South Africans! Next time just stick to the 20kg weight limit. 
just wandering aloud.. weight is important on planes for obvious reasons. Why not have a combined weight per passenger plus luggage, maybe say 95kg and any excess on that you pay. and no I do not weigh 75kg 
, I now have a lightweight case for a next trip 
). The operators asked us what our weight wasa for that flight, so I wondered why the "big planes" never asked. Could you imagine the screams if they ever did? 
