Land & Sea - Live from Barcelona & the Oosterdam Transatlantic - November 5th, 2022

[ski ww]

Glad you made it home OK, not the same cruising with an injury in a wheel chair. Airport sounds kind of what we went through in Venice.

[kazu]

On 11/18/2022 at 11:20 PM, St Pete Cruiser said:

A rare visit to the Port of Miami by a Holland America ship.  Hope all goes well.

 

It was.  Several of us had our taxi drivers ask what ship it was.  They had never seen the logo before  😉 

[Sea42]

Glad you are home safe! Here's hoping for smoother sailing on your next cruise. It can only get better from here, right?🤞

[StLouisCruisers]

Welcome home Jacqui!

[durangoscots]

Glad you are home. All of us need to pay attention to what happens when assistance is needed.... it could happen to any of us, particularly us older folk. Thanks for all your info and I do want to hear more about the cruise itself.

 

Susan

[kazu]

Going back a few days back to Madeira.  I know people wanted to see more pics.

 

 

Honestly, you could go to Madeira several times and never see all of the island.

 

 

It is truly beautiful with different views all over.

 

 

DD DH thought it was prettier than the Amalfi coast (subjective of course)

 

 

But ger_77’s DH agreed since he said he had a new favourite place - Madeira. 😉 

 

 

 

 

Aloe Vera below with the cactus - everything grows here.

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Madeira has a lot of mountains/hills and we were climbing in the van.

 

 

One of the advantages of the private transfer is that the big buses can’t get to a lot of the spots. 

 

 

There’s not enough room for the big buses on the some of the more narrow roads.

 

 

Some pics were taken from the van - I wasn’t able to get out everywhere because of the rough terrain (which in the past I never gave a thought to).

 

 

And some were taken while driving and some were taken with my device by my sweet sis or Helen (HELENPSL).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

More of Madeira - as the sites change.

 

 

waterfalls come from the top of the mountain and is used as drinking water.  There are spigots as well as piping to supply the people and the island.

 

 

It is perfectly good water and, of course is tested to ensure it remains pure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sea42]

Madeira looks beautiful!

[Iamthesea]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

Once inside Miami International the fabulous turned into horrific but that’s Miami airport and based on my experience, if you are handicapped & don’t have your own wheel chair,  don’t use Miami International or be prepared for big difficulties.

 

Welcome back home, Jacqui.  I know you are relieved to be in your own home.  Hopefully you can begin to heal.

 

Curious if you had arranged the wheelchair through your airline?  I cannot remember who you flew with.    We flew with Delta when traveling ATL-LHR-CDG-ATL.  Once checked in at ATL and CDG, it only took a few minutes for an attendant to arrive to whisk me away to our gate.  They stopped for bathroom breaks, food, anything that I wanted.  Even offered to wait with me at the gates (I declined because I had DH and daughters.)  At all airports, an attendant was waiting for me with a wheelchair, or a golf cart upon landing.   Delta really stepped up no matter where we were.

[bennybear]

Enjoyed your Madeira photos! I worked with a lady from Portugal and it was her favourite place! 

[kazu]

19 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

Welcome back home, Jacqui.  I know you are relieved to be in your own home.  Hopefully you can begin to heal.

 

Thanks - it was improving on board.  Hate to say it but I’m not all that relieved to be back 😉. On board I had the company of  some great people on my roll call and my sisters.  My food was all cooked for me and the guys at the Sea View Pool were simply amazing.  Now I am on my own again and after being around people, the aloneness in the house is a bit overwhelming 😉.   I’ll adjust and as long as the foot continues to improve, all will be good.  🤞 

 

19 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

Curious if you had arranged the wheelchair through your airline?  I cannot remember who you flew with.    We flew with Delta when traveling ATL-LHR-CDG-ATL.  Once checked in at ATL and CDG, it only took a few minutes for an attendant to arrive to whisk me away to our gate.  They stopped for bathroom breaks, food, anything that I wanted.  Even offered to wait with me at the gates (I declined because I had DH and daughters.)  At all airports, an attendant was waiting for me with a wheelchair, or a golf cart upon landing.   Delta really stepped up no matter where we were.

 

The concierge arranged for it with my airline,  Air Canada.  (I didn’t know when I boarded I would still be in that damn chair by the time I got off 😉 and I wasn’t using my phone to be on hold for an hour + ). I hadn’t used 90% of the Neptune perks so I didn’t feel bad asking her to do it (and of course, I tipped).  People who use it told me to have Guest Services call (in my case the concierge).  Problem is at Miami - it’s not necessarily my air line’s employees that do it and it is nothing like it is in Canada and, apparently at other U.S. airports.  They were awesome at Pearson - whisked me through Customs and even took me to the lounge for a short visit and picked me up to take me to my gate.  The wheelchair was left with me - unlike Miami.

 

12 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Enjoyed your Madeira photos! I worked with a lady from Portugal and it was her favourite place! 

 

Oh there are still more to come - just trying to sort through and not repeat 😉 

 

If you have the chance to go I highly recommend Daniel’s Taxi.  He’s a taxi driver not a guide - but he knows everything and shares all kinds of good info.  His other 5 drivers are all excellent as well and most have been with him for decades.  He trains them and is very fussy.  It’s a ridiculously reasonable tour - a steal in Europe.

 

 

[dfish]

Welcome home, Jacqui!   Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.  Madeira is certainly beautiful.

[kazu]

More of Madeira - you can get an idea how high up we we are looking at the valley below

 

 

 

 

 

More of Madeira - it is so picturesque that you can’t resist.  A lot of people come here to hike along the little canals that the water has made - I think the right word is lovages  (*my memory is short today after the long day yesterday).  We could see some walking here.

 

 

They had an old road that used to be used when we got lower but so many rocks started to fall that they built an enormous tunnel expressway through the mountain and closed the old road due to the danger.

 

 

 

 

Had to take a pic of this tree -  it’s very old - you can tell by the trunk.

 

 

Up close… the trunk was huge - twisted, etc.  That tells it’s age apparently.

 

 

And yes Kazu got out of the van when she could.  I e’d Daniel’s wife and she said Daniel can take you and your wheel chair (and crutches) as long as you can get in the van.  I knew I could do that 😉.  The 3 sisters:

 

 

By the way, I never did master those crutches well enough to feel really safe although I could fake it.  Donated them to the medical centre and have much more user friendly ones at home which my neighbour kindly got from my basement and put at the front door for me.

[1of4]

1 hour ago, Iamthesea said:

Curious if you had arranged the wheelchair through your airline?  I cannot remember who you flew with.    We flew with Delta when traveling ATL-LHR-CDG-ATL.  Once checked in at ATL and CDG, it only took a few minutes for an attendant to arrive to whisk me away to our gate.  They stopped for bathroom breaks, food, anything that I wanted.  Even offered to wait with me at the gates (I declined because I had DH and daughters.)  At all airports, an attendant was waiting for me with a wheelchair, or a golf cart upon landing.   Delta really stepped up no matter where we were.

Honestly, in my experience, Florida’s airports are the worst for providing any assistance at all, and if you do ask for anything they let you know it is a huge imposition.  In Orlando I was next in queue for the disabled security check when an airline employee actually pushed me aside so she could go ahead.  No excuse me, or asking if I would move to the side.  The only other airport that came close to the lack of services was Reykjavik in Iceland. 

[cat shepard]

welcome home, Jacqui!

 

Thank you for sharing your amazing pics!

[dfish]

29 minutes ago, 1of4 said:

Honestly, in my experience, Florida’s airports are the worst for providing any assistance at all, and if you do ask for anything they let you know it is a huge imposition.  In Orlando I was next in queue for the disabled security check when an airline employee actually pushed me aside so she could go ahead.  No excuse me, or asking if I would move to the side.  The only other airport that came close to the lack of services was Reykjavik in Iceland. 

Charles de Gaulle is no picnic either.  I was in an aircast and on crutches.  The Frankfort airport arranged for wheelchair transport to the gate and also said they had put in a request for a wheelchair at de Gaulle.  On the plane the flight attendant confirmed the wheel chair request on the ground in Paris.  But, when I got off the plane all the wheel chair attendants stood there with a smile on their faces shaking their head no.  I barely made my next flight.  I had to go through security again and the woman there was horrible.  She took away my crutches and took off the air cast and left me standing there on one foot.  Then she got mad when I said I needed help to stand there on one foot with my arms straight out so she could wand me.  That experience provoked a letter writing campaign on my part.

Edited November 20, 2022 by dfish

[kazu]

5 minutes ago, dfish said:

Charles de Gaulle is no picnic either.  I was in an aircast and on crutches.  The Frankfort airport arranged for wheelchair transport to the gate and also said they had put in a request for a wheelchair at de Gaulle.  On the plane the flight attendant confirmed the wheel chair request on the ground in Paris.  But, when I got off the plane all the wheel chair attendants stood there with a smile on their faces shaking their head no.  I barely made my next flight.  I had to go through security again and the woman there was horrible.  She took away my crutches and took off the air cast and left me standing there on one foot.  Then she got mad when I said I needed help to stand there on one foot with my arms straight out so she could wand me.  That experience provoked a letter writing campaign on my part.

 

I hear you - Miami made me stand too.  It was really hard because of the positions she wanted and while I know it’s necessary - I would have been better off to do the thing where they check you.  It would have been faster but I wasn’t sure if I could manage on one foot without the cane (no cane allowed inside that gadget).

I always thought I had a good understanding of those with mobility issues but I can tell you I have been enlightened.  Do you know you can’t even reach the coffee at the Lido in a chair?  It’s too far back.

A lot of little things and I am going to send an e to HAL on what I saw/experienced - not to complain but to try to help those that are in these chairs permanently.  There’s some simple things that could be done (not costing money) to make life easier for those in chairs.

I had a lot of great service and kindness so it’s not a complaint but all you have to do is just some simple re-placements of things like coffee so people can reach.  It’s no fun having to ask someone to get it every day.

[1of4]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

I hear you - Miami made me stand too.  It was really hard because of the positions she wanted and while I know it’s necessary - I would have been better off to do the thing where they check you.  It would have been faster but I wasn’t sure if I could manage on one foot without the cane (no cane allowed inside that gadget).

I always thought I had a good understanding of those with mobility issues but I can tell you I have been enlightened.  Do you know you can’t even reach the coffee at the Lido in a chair?  It’s too far back.

A lot of little things and I am going to send an e to HAL on what I saw/experienced - not to complain but to try to help those that are in these chairs permanently.  There’s some simple things that could be done (not costing money) to make life easier for those in chairs.

I had a lot of great service and kindness so it’s not a complaint but all you have to do is just some simple re-placements of things like coffee so people can reach.  It’s no fun having to ask someone to get it every day.

Exactly why there is a booming business in companies specializing in disabled travel.  People just don’t realize the challenges until they face them themselves.  Everything is so challenging from hotels, transportation to bathroom access and airports.  My cane is always taken away and I am given one made of wood and suitable for a 6’6” person!  I can’t move with it and they have to reach through the X-ray machine and guide me through.

[bennybear]

It is eye opening to see how you are treated.  DH had foot surgery and was in a wheel chair for a day and the difficulty of moving around and the way some people treat you is a surprise.

[ottahand7]

Welcome home Jacqui and thank you for the beautiful photos of Madeira.  I am sorry for your assist issues in Miami.   Rome is no prize either. I was coming back from a Konigsdam cruise with my friend who had macular degeneration and was sight impaired.  Her wheelchair was there waiting at Dulles, Amsterdam and  back at Dulles but Alitalia was a no show.  Thankfully she was ambulatory. We waited 20 minutes and I said we should walk to the gate lest we miss our flight.  Rome airport is a mess and it took forever to find our gate.  Once we started to board there was a long flight of stairs down and then climbing stairs to board the plane. Thankfully a passenger saw our plight and carried DFs carry-on for her while I helped her up those stairs.  Alitalia is like the airport - a mess.  

@kaz@kazuI hope your luggage has been delivered. 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

2 minutes ago, ottahand7 said:

Welcome home Jacqui and thank you for the beautiful photos of Madeira.  I am sorry for your assist issues in Miami.   Rome is no prize either. I was coming back from a Konigsdam cruise with my friend who had macular degeneration and was sight impaired.  Her wheelchair was there waiting at Dulles, Amsterdam and  back at Dulles but Alitalia was a no show.  Thankfully she was ambulatory. We waited 20 minutes and I said we should walk to the gate lest we miss our flight.  Rome airport is a mess and it took forever to find our gate.  Once we started to board there was a long flight of stairs down and then climbing stairs to board the plane. Thankfully a passenger saw our plight and carried DFs carry-on for her while I helped her up those stairs.  Alitalia is like the airport - a mess.  

@kaz@kazuI hope your luggage has been delivered. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ugh - yes someone carried one of my carry on’s too so I could manage the gangway at our Mickey Mouse airport and Pearson.  some people are kind, still ❤️ Glad you found one as well.

Luggage is still at Pearson.  I’m waiting to see if it ends ups in the hold of the plane tonight.  It has apple tracker in it.  There’s only 2 flights here a day now until the service picks up so if it arrives tonight, I’ll get it tomorrow (it’s a late arrival).  If it’s not showing here or not on the plane tomorrow morning, I’ll have to head up the stairs for ‘stuff’.  Should be fun trying to get down - NOT 😡 

 

It is what it is.  I hate that expression but it seems to apply these days.

[Iamthesea]

Jacqui - I am sorry that you are not feeling chipper about being home.  I can understand how you feel.  😌

I am so surprised with the way some of you have been treated at the airport when needing assistance.  All I did was check off the assistance square on the Delta website, when checking into my flight.   In CDG, I had decided that I would be able to walk on-my-own.  But when we checked our luggage in, the attendant mentioned that I had checked off needing assistance.  I said that I thought I could walk the distance, and she looked at me and said "I think you should take the assistance.  You will get through security quicker."  I did not argue.  She had us wait in a holding area.  Took about 15 minutes for someone to come get us.  

[Catlover54]

2 hours ago, 1of4 said:

Exactly why there is a booming business in companies specializing in disabled travel.  People just don’t realize the challenges until they face them themselves.  Everything is so challenging from hotels, transportation to bathroom access and airports.  My cane is always taken away and I am given one made of wood and suitable for a 6’6” person!  I can’t move with it and they have to reach through the X-ray machine and guide me through.

 

As one of the key disability leaders who travels said, "We don't mind the waits --  it's the indignities we are subjected to that are the problem."

[4966and556]

My ex in laws took us along on most of the cruises I've been on so that we could help them getting through airports.  After a few years they needed wheelchair assistance.  My ex mother in law insisted that assistance was needed from the first airport until they reached their cabin on the ship.  They always flew through Pearson in Toronto.  I don't remember too many issues other than ex mother in law's temper. She could really cause one heck of a fuss when the mood struck her.