Its that time again and this is going to be a long haul, over 40 hours of travel from door to door. Ouch! I’m leaving my summer home in Podgorica and heading for the west coast of Canada. With the exception of one harrowing experience, the journey is exhausting but just fine. Join me for my travel day Europe to Canada on Wizz Air & WesJet.
Podgorica TGD
I take a pre-booked transfer to the airport, not trusting the local taxi’s as per my research. The cost is €25, same as on arrival. At the airport I check-in for my Wizz Air flight, first time flying with them. The airport is small, bright and crowded.
TGD to LGW
Flying from Podgorica to Gatwick it begins as a normal flight. A little late departing, but nothing untoward. The landscape is interesting to watch, changing from dry and crusty browns to bright greens.
Time to land now and this is when things go awry. The approach is normal, but the wheels don’t make contact. Instead, we are driven back in our seats and on a steep incline, leaving the airport we were just seconds away from landing into.
A terrifying moment, this is called a go-around in aviation and is an aborted landing. The flight attendants come on right away, to assure the passengers that this is a ‘common’ situation in aviation.
In fact, it is not. Occurring in 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 landings, this usually happens because something is obstructing the runway, or the weather is so bad, that the landing is not safe. Weather today is very good, no wind, no rain, good visibility with high cloud.
My feelings? Complete fear of dying for that split second when I realize that the wheels are not making contact. I begin to have an anxiety attack, make myself steady my breathing as I clutch at my heart and stare out of the window. I turn to look at the stranger seated next to me. His eyes register the same terror I feel.
Once we are level again, the pilot comes on and says that we had an issue on the first attempt, but that he will get us down the next time, after we circle and get back into sequence. We do successfully land on the second attempt; the plane is absolutely silent as we all line up to leave the aircraft.
Gatwick
I have an overnight stay booked for this 14-hour layover. Because I have to exit this airport and re-check in tomorrow for my next three legs, I didn’t feel safe sleeping in the non secure side of the terminal.
Not realizing the South and North terminals have a shuttle service, I hoof my bags around the perimeter roads until I reach my hotel the Premier Inn. It is indeed, not even close to being premier.
An average and dated hotel, perhaps three stars, but with a whopping cost of $200 CAD per night. Ouch. Oh well, its all part of the travel experience.
Crawley
I have arrived in time to do a little shopping before the stores close at 5 & 6pm. After I check-in, I drop my bag and head back out the door and into the terminal. This time I take the shuttle to the South Terminal, so I can then take the train into the closest town called Crawley. I check the Uber prices only to discover they are around £25 for the short ride into town, versus the train which costs £6 return.
I have been here once before so the surroundings are somewhat familiar. After a visit to Primark and Poundland, its time to return to the hotel with my treats that I purchased for the kiddos back in Canada.
Next Morning
Departing the hotel, I pay £3 and take a bus to the terminal with my luggage. Checking in with WestJet I’m good to go now for the rest of the journey. All three legs are with them and my suitcase is checked right through to my final destination.
At Gatwick, I visit the No1 Lounge, you see I have a free pass with my WestJet membership and this is the perfect opportunity to use it. The lounge is crowded, I’m asked at reception if I have a reservation. I don’t but am allowed in and find a comfortable seat. For the next two hours I relax, drink and eat to my hearts content. What luxury!
LGW to YHZ
Before I know it, its time for my first leg of the day, London to Halifax. It’s an almost six-hour flight on WestJet and I have paid the additional fee for a window seat. With views of green fields stretching before me, I try to relax and enjoy the flight.
The meal is not great, flavorless chicken and green beans. Whose bright idea was it to serve beans on a plane?
Arriving into Canada is emotional. I haven’t been back to the country of my birth in over 2.5 years. Its so much greener than even England was. Desolate looking, its just miles and miles of trees.
Halifax YHZ
Halifax Airport is chaotic at first. Almost the entire flight seems to be staying in transit and the customs and immigration is not sufficient. The queue is long and staff seem unsure of their jobs while managing this mass of people.
Once through, I spend my four hours of layover, wandering around. It’s a small terminal with not much to see. Looks as though it has been updated and renovated recently, its nice and bright and clean.
YHZ to YYC
Second flight of the day and almost as long is from Halifax to Calgary also on WestJet. This is an old bird, a 737, the interior and especially the overhead bins looking so dated.
Views along the way are of clouds, one could get mesmerized but instead I relax and watch a movie. Arriving into Calgary it is now past 9pm, skies are dark.
Calgary YYC
I have a quick layover here, thank goodness, I feel I’m on my last legs. The Elevation Lounge closes at 10:15 so I duck into there and taste some of the food. Enjoying a lovely gin & tonic, I sample the chicken gnocchi and a doughnut. Both are not worth the calories. I’m surprised how full this lounge is, so close to closing time.
YYC to YYJ
My last and final flight of this two-day journey is here. Completely in darkness now, I’m set to arrive on Vancouver Island at just past midnight. The flight is short and sweet, just over one hour long.
Emotions are high, I collect my bag and head out through the exit door. There before me, my eldest daughter waits with open arms. As soon as I see her, I burst into tears and we embrace. The first time in over two years. My heart.
The reason for this impromptu visit? With a little canoodling, all three of my children are in the same place at the same time. No amount of money could have kept me away. It’s only a short visit, but worth every penny and more, to spend this precious time with my three babies.
