This story will make more sense if you read the previous blog
"My First Kingfisher Flight Experience"May 27th, 2007 Midnight - Now that I finally realized that I missed my International flight - I have to start thinking what to do now. I missed many flights, had weather delays, but never had an International flight miss before. I guess there is first time for everything.
Based on Deta guy's advice, I found the arrival lounge (it a maize) and found Kingfisher counter. Explained the guy my situation - that because of the delay from Kingfisher flight, I missed my flight to New York. He was apologetic and wanted me to check for alternatives - I told him I already did - I have no choice except to figure how to spend 24 hrs - I asked him if there is a fligh to Hyderabad soon - I thought I can go back to HYD, spend the day and come back next day early enough to avoid the episode I had before. But the first flight to HYD is not till morning - so I figured not to waste time going back to hyderabad and spend time here.
The Kingfisher guy wanted to check with Delta about the options - so I said go ahead - so I waited in the lounge playing "golf" on my cell phone - it took about 15-20 minutes for him to come back - then he started making calls - I looked at him across the hall - and he signalled that he is still working on something so - I stayed put.
12:45 p.m. - he finally waved me in - and told me that since I didn't leave "3 hours" between my connections - I didn't qualify for any Kingfisher compensation plans - and sorry - well I wasted 45 minutes for nothing - but at this point - I have to figure out how to waste 24 hrs - so no big deal.
Found the hotel reservation counter - there two guys nothing to do, chit chatting - as soon as I walke over there, the sales person hat is on and they tried to sell me the best hotels aroud - I told them my budget is around $200 and I have to spend till late tomorrow - after some disucussions, he figured out how to avoid 2 days charge at the hotel - pretty smart! He put in late check out 4 p.m. and told me to leave the bags at the lobby - go around and collect bags later and come back to the airport - seeme like a plan. He booked me into Royal Archid - a supposedly "eco friendly" hotel - I wanted to see what that is all about. After he called the hotel - he said - I saved you a full day and got you late check out - so if you are happy with my work, anything you give me is appreciated (I guess a hint for a tip). I had to change some $$ into Rupees, since this was unscheduled halt. I got some money (at a bizzarre 39.50 rupees per $ - used to be 44.50) - and gave hime 200 ($4.50) - immediately he had some one come out and help me with the bags - from this point onwards - I realized - I don't have to do much - if I keep slippling 100 here and 100 there. So I decided to have a "good" experience.
1:15 a.m. - the complimentary car from hotel showed up - and took me to the hotel - it was only 5 minutes ride and I didn't have to worry about the traffic game that late in the night. The hote looked decent - definitely not Leela or other 5 star hotels around (they quoted $450 for Leela - whew!) - There was a bell boy even that late - so pretty much the same treatment during check-in, getting to the room. The new guy at the front desk seems to be having trouble charging my credit card - he called on the intercom to the duty manager - who was sitting a few feet away - I thought yelling out to him would have been easier :)
1:45 a.m. - finally settled into room - got some drinks from room service - my sister called to make sure I am finally reached some place. I told her - all is ok, and decided watch TV late - so I can get a headstart on my jetlag. I think I lasted till 3 a.m. or so - before falling asleep!
9:45 a.m. - where am I? This always happens - the room had no outside window - the window is looking over the pool which is covered - so it looked like early morning - but it is already getting to 10 a.m. - so decided to get up. I had no slippers, so had to get into dress shorts and shoes - so I decided to get out of the room and see what lies ahead.
10:00 a.m. - walked outside of the hotel just to see how it feels - it is humid summary day in Bombay - buzzing city - I haven't been into the city for almost 16 1/2 years now. When I left India for the US back in December 1990 I flew out of Bombay, since then I did a couple of connections, but never got outside. I heard a lot of stories, so decided to make a trip outside. The travel desk guy said there are 4 and 8 hr car services to go into City - but whichever I decide to do, going into main city (downtown) is not advisable - you may get struck in traffic - I told him I will take 4 hr option at 3 p.m.
10:20 a.m. - found the so called business center with one computer and 2 people at the help desk. Asked for Internet usage - 150 per hour (almost $4) - little steep - so I got on the computer - and the speed at which the Internet is opening - I could have spend the rest of the day just checking my emails, and a few websites - took me 1 hr to check Delta site for seats, send 2 emails about my delay and get some local info. So I decided that I will skip the browsing. I was able to talk to all my friends (most of them were surprised to hear from me) while waiting for the browser to bring up pages. So at least got more things done.
Now can this get any boring? Well it could have - so I will skip on some mundane stuff - had a coffee, had buffet lunch - I was hungry and ate 4 or 5 different dishes - they all tasted good - but boy did I pay for it rest of the day - heartburn city! - I guess I am not used to that much spice any more.
3 p.m. - checked out ofthe room - left my bags with the Bell Boy and got into my 4 hr ride into Mumbai - the taxi guy (I think he said Rajan) wanted to know what I would like to do. I have him an outline - that not too much, just to experience the life of Mumbai, take a few pictures, etc. He wanted to know if I want to shop - I said not really. So we set out - and 5 minutes into it, his cell phone rings he pulls over talks really upset with the other guy - back on the road - 5 minutes another call - anoher 5 minutes - after the 3rd stop - he started to explain how this guy he took out last night spent all his money, tried to use South African dollars, borrowed money from him and now can't remeber and in turn blaming him for over charging. I guess he was owed 750 and it is a lot of money for him - I decided to give him some slack for the phone calls.
30 minutes into the trip - I realized that I am not really into site seeting - we
went through new high tech buildings, high ways, etc. During one of the traffic stops I noticed the Transvestites at the road side swarming cars/taxis and demanding money. I don't know if you heard about them before or not - Mumbai is very famous for them and you don't have may options - I saw almost everyone doling out money - I tried to get a better picture, but decided not to roll down any windows. Not sure what they would do if they saw may camera and others in the backseat.
I also noticed the nice idol of Ganesha in the car I was in - read my post "
Ganesha - the god of choice in Cars in India".
The drive made me stop and go inside the St. Mary's church - I figured he needed a break - so I got out and took a few pictures and went inside the church. I never been inside a church in India before.
View this picture in Flickr - It has the feel of an Indian temple with Mother Mary, cross and other pictures inside.
Now, we are at the beach walk near the church. I decided to walk for a few minutes and the driver said he will wait at the end of the street. Now, this has to be one of the dirtiest beach walks I have seen - I am not complaining about the dirtiness - but the smell is horrible, there are people washing clothes in the water pools - but surprisingly there are quite a few young couples sitting on the rocks some as far as possible from the shore. This about 4 p.m. - broad day light - and mosf of them are engaged in kissing, hugging, etc. When I grew up in India - this kind of thing would be unheard of - but times have changed and we are in Mumbai, one of the most advanced cities in India - so it definitely a new experience for me - this continued later on in other places I visited and stopped at. Now I feel Old!!!
We stopped at a Shopping complex (again just to kill time - ended up buying some gifts), Coffee Shop Barista.
Finally we decided to go to Juhu Beach and call it a day - it is around 6 p.m. now - the beach was pretty crowded - I was taking some picures and here is this 8 year old guy with a 2-3 year old girl in his arms (probably sister) and begging. No matter how anyone feels about these beggers I felt for him - to be in that situation supporting his sister and making begging his profession - so I gave him the lowest denomination of currency I have left - 10 Rs (25 cents). Usually people donate 1 or 2 rupee coins. So first he was surprised - then smiled and stuck a pose for my camera - I chose not to publish it for personal reasons. Now I noticed other little beggers getting tips from this kid that I gave 10 Rs. to and within few minutes I had 2 or 3 more around me - insisting that I give money- I gave a couple of more 10 Rs. and realized if I don't leave now, I will be literally mugged by these little guys. So I got back to the car and decided to leave Juhu. I remember visiting Juhu Beach in 1988 - recently they removed all food stalls from the beach it seems due to health reasons - now it looks a lot different.
6:45 p.m. - back at the hotel - decided to have a light dinner - now getting nervous again about the 16 hr flight ahead - I got a windows seat - so I decided to get to the airport - a little earlier today and try my luck there.
8:00 p.m. - after a couple of drinks and nice Tikka dish - I decided to end my "hanging around" hotel and head to the airport. The bell boy loaded all my bags into the complimentary car again - and I gave hime Rs. 100 - he seemed happy. another Rs. 100 for the driver - and now I am down to my last few Indian rupees again.
8:45 p.m. - now I am at the airport - almost 3 1/2 hrs before the flight - and slowly pushed around to get to Delta - no hurry.
9:05 p.m. - I am checked in - got 40G - an aisle seat - didn't want to get stuck in the window. Now 3+ hrs to spend in Mumbai airport - Called family talked to them, walked around and decided to get into the Immigration area (once you pass it can't come out again) - around 9:40 p.m.
10:00 p.m. - now outside gate 8 - where the flight is supposed to leave from - already a few fellow delta passengers around - they have nice spread out chairs - so lounged into one and decided to play "golf" on my cell phone again - how long can you do that? 30 mins - that is the max I was able to do so. An airport employee walked by and wanted to know if I can "bluetooth" that game to him - I had to explain him that his Nokia is not compatible - he insisted his phone is top of the line :)
10:45 p.m. - they decided to start security screening people and put them in the final holding area - why not, I am able to pass 20+ hrs - just another 1 1/2 hrs - no big deal - found a seat near the boarding door - and sat down and thought I can read one of the books - hardly finished 2 pages - a lot of drama started unfolding around... so
In my next post - the "Delta 017 Experience" - I will write about what I perceive as the toughest flight I have done so far (I probably did 300-400 flights in the last 15years) -
went through new high tech buildings, high ways, etc. During one of the traffic stops I noticed the Transvestites at the road side swarming cars/taxis and demanding money. I don't know if you heard about them before or not - Mumbai is very famous for them and you don't have may options - I saw almost everyone doling out money - I tried to get a better picture, but decided not to roll down any windows. Not sure what they would do if they saw may camera and others in the backseat.
