For most of our previous travel our plans have normally gone close to plan... well the day we left Curacao was the day that changed!
We knew we were in trouble as soon as we got to check in and were advised our flight was delayed 1 hour 20 minutes... with a programmed Miami to New York connection, including clearing U.S. customs, of 1 hour 45 min now reduced to 20 minutes maximum we knew it wasn't going to happen. Our booking was meant to be on the last evening flight into JFK, New York.
Once we got to Miami it was a matter of queuing with large numbers of passengers, from a range of flights, to get assigned new flights. At the same time letting big sis Aileen know it was no use her heading to JFK to collect us.
American Airlines provided us with shuttle transfer to a provided hotel. The next morning we were on a flight to Cincinnati, Ohio, for a connection to JFK. Never been to Cincinnati!!!
Farewell Miami
Hello Cincinnati
Then a very brief greeting to Philadelphia!
All good until we get to Cincinnati to discover our next leg had been cancelled!!!! So.... join a new queue and negotiate our way out of there. Liaising with Aileen by text at the same time we managed to find new possible flights to different airports. And off we went flying to Philadelphia for a very tight connection (arrival time 10 minutes before departure, unlikely to make it but we told the airline staff we would risk it) to a country airport north of New York.
Arriving in Philadelphia a sprint between airport gates and luckily the connection had been delayed but not cancelled....
We must say that throughout all this the airline staff were very helpful, so a bonus. Struggle to grasp the concept of how much such incidents cost the airline, there was large numbers of people wanting new flights/connections etc, and accommodation and meals required.
Finally arrived 19 hours behind schedule... a bit frazzled and tired but pleased to see Aileen and Bob. Good to be revisiting their patch after 15 years and lovely to drive back through the Connecticut landscape.
Hey, it's been a long 36 hours... I'm allowed to break the rules. Finally awaiting pickup by Aileen and Bob
A couple of days to enjoy the area and company
Very relaxed first morning of laundry and beach walking... in very pleasant temps. Trip into rural areas chasing ice cream (successfully done) before a meal at Dana and Jerry's house. Friends of Aileen and Bob who we had hosted in Arrowtown a couple of years ago, it was fantastic to catch up with them again.
Large real estate near the beach... Aileen would sadly report it's not theirs!
More exploring the wider area over the next couple of days with trips along the Connecticut coast and one inland to New York State to climb Bear Mountain... no bears but rewarded with a nice long distance view of Manhattan, and consolation of beers at home base.
Thimble Islands.. off the Connecticut coast
The Connecticut area is very scenic and has many impressive homes so is fun to explore.
Although we had planned to spend a day in New York city, an hours train ride from Aileen and Bob's Westport home, we decided to cancel that idea. A real shame as it's always a fascinating place and it is 15 years since our last visit. But given we had lost a full day, courtesy of American Airlines, we felt this would restrict our time uncomfortably..... so next time then!
Departure by Uber to Newark, New Jersey, airport... a couple of hours drive... and our flight to Halifax, Canada.
