Destination: Unknown - picking flights at the airport by the roll of a die!
Apr 19, 2017, 10:54 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Great report and loved the sense of adventure. Maybe next time you just rock up to the airport having nothing planned? Perhaps this could be the honeymoon strategy?
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Apr 21, 2017, 2:45 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
Cyprus had also moved forward an hour that morning, to EEST, maintaining their two hour advance on the UK. This also brought official time back into sync with that used in the north, who had followed Turkey in not introducing daylight savings last October; my first introduction to the complexities of this, Europe's only divided country.
Loved your report - I absolutely love the island.
Apr 21, 2017, 5:19 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Berks
Programs: BA, A3, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 215
Nice report, I spent 10 weekends in Cyprus last year as my wife was working over there so did the same flights you took quite a few times - I don't miss the Swissport lounge much but have fond memories of the Cypriot food on offer at the local restaurants.
I never actually made it into Larnaca itself so it was interesting to see what it was like! Walking to Heathrow Terminal 5 is possible, and I did it a few times last year.
I never actually made it into Larnaca itself so it was interesting to see what it was like! Walking to Heathrow Terminal 5 is possible, and I did it a few times last year.
Apr 22, 2017, 3:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,106
You make Cyprus seem like a great place for a long weekend, I think I will have to persuade Ms Flatlander to go there in the autumn.
You can't cycle to LHR T2/3 any more now the tunnel cycle path lanes are being rebuilt ( and have been for over a year now ), I'm not sure if that will ever return. I don't even know if you can take a (non folding) bicycle on the buses to the central bus station. You have not been able to walk there for a very long time.
You can cycle to Cambridge International Airport... but there are no scheduled flights and no scheduled passenger terminal any more (only business charter)
You can cycle to Cambridge International Airport... but there are no scheduled flights and no scheduled passenger terminal any more (only business charter)
Apr 26, 2017, 3:25 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
You make Cyprus seem like a great place for a long weekend, I think I will have to persuade Ms Flatlander to go there in the autumn.
You can't cycle to LHR T2/3 any more now the tunnel cycle path lanes are being rebuilt ( and have been for over a year now ), I'm not sure if that will ever return. I don't even know if you can take a (non folding) bicycle on the buses to the central bus station. You have not been able to walk there for a very long time.
You can cycle to Cambridge International Airport... but there are no scheduled flights and no scheduled passenger terminal any more (only business charter)
You can't cycle to LHR T2/3 any more now the tunnel cycle path lanes are being rebuilt ( and have been for over a year now ), I'm not sure if that will ever return. I don't even know if you can take a (non folding) bicycle on the buses to the central bus station. You have not been able to walk there for a very long time.
You can cycle to Cambridge International Airport... but there are no scheduled flights and no scheduled passenger terminal any more (only business charter)
Since I can't drive and spent nearly ten years as a student, I'm quite used to the idea that anywhere within 3 miles is walkable. But when travelling I am routinely frustrated by airport access routes, un-British climates, or both
Off the top of my head, the only ones I've managed are San Diego, Barra, and Gibraltar. Terminal 5 would be about a 15 minute walk from Waterside - except that you'd have to take a bridge over which foot traffic is forbidden. It is at least viable by bike - there's even cycle racks on the arrivals level - unlike T2/3, as flatlander notes. There's various offices which are tantalisingly close to the cycle hub, yet completely unreachable, forcing a detour to T5 and then the HEX.
Apr 26, 2017, 3:29 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
Apr 28, 2017, 6:05 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 25
I loved this TR! On a much smaller scale it reminded me of a trip I took to Greece many years ago. It had rained in Athens pretty much non-stop for 4-5 days. That was my limit. I went to the airport and looked at the departures board, which for some reason had not just the ETD and destinations but the weather forecast for each destination. Rhodes showed no rain, but I had just missed the flight. Crete - no rain in the forecast and a seat available. Sold! No regrets.
Apr 28, 2017, 11:51 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
Programs: SQ Gold, AF Platinum, AA Platinum (sadly, expiring soon), QR Silver, EK, MU, HU, PR, HO, OZ, KE
Posts: 685
Apr 28, 2017, 11:52 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
Programs: SQ Gold, AF Platinum, AA Platinum (sadly, expiring soon), QR Silver, EK, MU, HU, PR, HO, OZ, KE
Posts: 685
Apr 29, 2017, 3:16 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, BA Gold, Hyatt
Posts: 131
I loved this! I've done car trips like this, but always wanted to try it with flights. I'm usually more on the over planning side of trip arrangements, so I like the semi-spontaneous nature of the way you've done this. Not sure I could convince my Mr that this is a great idea though.