The Iceland Volcano and the Travel Chaos - My Personal Experience

Sunday April the 11Th 2010 was the date ofto ten pounds with the current exchange rate.
departure for my family to go on holiday to Majorca.We now had everything sorted out, all inclusive
It was my two year old son's first holiday abroad.accommodation with everything we needed, 'time to
The short holiday for one week started as usual andstart enjoying our extended holiday.' It really was
we soon got into the holiday mood.great, the weather was fantastic, the other holiday
Then on Wednesday we needed to go to the hotelmakers friendly and in good spirit. It really did make a
reception. We had over heard the receptionist sayinggreat holiday. The only real problem was if you
'all flights had been grounded and canceled due to aweren't reading about the volcano and aircraft crisis,
volcano that had erupted in Iceland.' We were inyou would be watching it on the news or talking with
disbelief. We decided to check out the news on lineothers about it.
and on the TV. It was true, we laughed, I was soThen came the good news that the aircraft could fly
amused. We didn't worry. 'We're going home Sunday,just a few days before our departure. Thankfully it
it will have all cleared by then. Let's not worry, juststayed that way. We boarded our rescheduled flight
enjoy the rest of our holiday.'with no problems and returned home. We were really
Then Friday came, no improvement and any chanceslucky, we spoke to people who had their second
of improvement were looking unlikely. Our airline thenflight canceled. Some had to stay up to nearly two
announced all flights to be canceled until Monday. 'Ohweeks over there expected departure date. I am
dear we won't be going home then'.really glad we didn't go to the airport, we heard loads
At this point many holiday makers started to talk,of horror stories of chaos. Then to find out that ours
become friendly and very helpful. The spirit fromand many other flights were not fully boarded was
every holiday maker was fantastic unlike the hotelvery disappointing as people really wanted to go
staff who wasn't prepared to help people savehome.
money or get the information they needed. AdviceIf you should find yourself in a situation similar to this
was given to book the next available flight on-lineyou should.
from one holiday maker. Thanks who ever you are!- Watch the news, Read Papers and find information
We gladly helped and assisted others do the same,about the current situation. This will aid you in your
the spirit was unbelievable. We found it cheaper todecisions.
book extended accommodation on line, again this- Keep checking your flight on-line and as soon as it is
information was told to anyone we found struggling.canceled rebook the next available flight. It is not
The hotel was not prepared to match the price,unusual for this to be about a week away.
totally disgusting.- Get a price from your hotel at reception and on-line
The flight was booked for the following Friday andon websites such as alpha-rooms. You may find it
the accommodation booked to match, we werecheaper on-line.
sorted. Just had to tell my manager at work. At least- If money is a problem contact someone at home
I had the best excuse in the world. We were reallywho can pay for your accommodation.
hoping that this flight would not be canceled as we- Contact family and work to let them know what is
had just about run out of cash. Everything in Majorcahappening.
was very expensive, we purchased some much- If you need medication go to the local pharmacy
needed items. I will never forget the 16 nappies weand see what they can do to help.
bought for my little boy that was 10 euros, as nearNow enjoy the rest of your extended holiday.