YYC-YUL-CDG-DLA
May 29, 1999 | 6:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
YYC-YUL-CDG-DLA
Left Calgary on 18th of May on AC flights to Paris via Montreal. As usual I was upgraded on all AC flights to Executive or Executive First.
Food was substandard on outbound AC flights but that's all I remember other than the bread which was typically North American day old stuff, warmed up. Otherwise the flight was comfortable and the wine selection and drinks (they have my favorite local brew--Big Rock Traditional, even on the international flights). Actually got some shuteye on the A340 from Montreal to Paris.
Stopped in briefly at the Salon L'Espace (Air France business lounge) and they let me in with my AC Super Elite card without the usual invitation card from Air Canada and even though my ongoing flight was on Air France with which I have no status.
From Paris to Douala I got the pleasure of 6.5 hours in economy on an Air France A310. The food was good. My only complaint was the lack of space between rows. Even though I had two economy seats and could lift the arm rest between the two, I was still cramped and got a numb butt. Still I managed to get a little bit more rest. On the way into Douala got excellent looks at Mount Cameroon, the volcano that was erupting through April and which is situated right above my friend's town.
Passed through the formalities at Douala with no significant problem (requires multiple steps -- yellow fever check, passport check, customs check and police check) and stepped into the warm, humid tropical late afternoon. Time to re-adjust to developing world conditions and get into the African rhythms and the wonder of the African rain forest and an active volcano.
My friend's place was comfortable but there is no hot running water and no wash basin. Cool showers are the order of the day. Food is locally grown but plentiful and varied. As usual, there is a shortage of protein.
The phone service still hasn't been upgraded (now planning for July) and there are times when there is no phone service for days, and it seemed to have been exacerbated by the recent volcanic eruption). Even when the phones do work, it may take hours to get an outside line so I don't bother. There is considerable pirating of the phone lines and my friend's bills have often been as high as $2000 a month--which he refuses to pay. Electricity would also go off but not as much as last trip.
In between working on the project, we visited the lava flow which was still radiating considerable heat. The flow had finally stopped a short distance from the ocean but not until it had crossed the main coastal highway. Also went to see all the various groups proudly marching along the main road in celebration of National Day. Very colorful!
Had some long days. Up at 3 AM to drive 150 km to some villages (7 hour trip)--back at 2 AM. We were well received by hundreds of villagers and were welcomed by traditional dances and songs and several feasts. They had seized timber company bulldozers a couple of years back and still had one of them in the village. After being promised much and delivered nothing by the companies, the villagers took matters into their own hands with ultimate backing from the country's supreme court. Great to still see some big areas of intact tropical rain forest which the local communities want to protect.
Spent the last day up at 3AM to drive to the capital Yaounde to meet with government officials. After one flat tire and the points closing up causing the car engine to fail, we finally made it and had a very productive day. Crawled back to Douala in heavy tropical downpours in time for my 10:30 PM flight to Paris.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 05-29-99).]
Food was substandard on outbound AC flights but that's all I remember other than the bread which was typically North American day old stuff, warmed up. Otherwise the flight was comfortable and the wine selection and drinks (they have my favorite local brew--Big Rock Traditional, even on the international flights). Actually got some shuteye on the A340 from Montreal to Paris.
Stopped in briefly at the Salon L'Espace (Air France business lounge) and they let me in with my AC Super Elite card without the usual invitation card from Air Canada and even though my ongoing flight was on Air France with which I have no status.
From Paris to Douala I got the pleasure of 6.5 hours in economy on an Air France A310. The food was good. My only complaint was the lack of space between rows. Even though I had two economy seats and could lift the arm rest between the two, I was still cramped and got a numb butt. Still I managed to get a little bit more rest. On the way into Douala got excellent looks at Mount Cameroon, the volcano that was erupting through April and which is situated right above my friend's town.
Passed through the formalities at Douala with no significant problem (requires multiple steps -- yellow fever check, passport check, customs check and police check) and stepped into the warm, humid tropical late afternoon. Time to re-adjust to developing world conditions and get into the African rhythms and the wonder of the African rain forest and an active volcano.
My friend's place was comfortable but there is no hot running water and no wash basin. Cool showers are the order of the day. Food is locally grown but plentiful and varied. As usual, there is a shortage of protein.
The phone service still hasn't been upgraded (now planning for July) and there are times when there is no phone service for days, and it seemed to have been exacerbated by the recent volcanic eruption). Even when the phones do work, it may take hours to get an outside line so I don't bother. There is considerable pirating of the phone lines and my friend's bills have often been as high as $2000 a month--which he refuses to pay. Electricity would also go off but not as much as last trip.
In between working on the project, we visited the lava flow which was still radiating considerable heat. The flow had finally stopped a short distance from the ocean but not until it had crossed the main coastal highway. Also went to see all the various groups proudly marching along the main road in celebration of National Day. Very colorful!
Had some long days. Up at 3 AM to drive 150 km to some villages (7 hour trip)--back at 2 AM. We were well received by hundreds of villagers and were welcomed by traditional dances and songs and several feasts. They had seized timber company bulldozers a couple of years back and still had one of them in the village. After being promised much and delivered nothing by the companies, the villagers took matters into their own hands with ultimate backing from the country's supreme court. Great to still see some big areas of intact tropical rain forest which the local communities want to protect.
Spent the last day up at 3AM to drive to the capital Yaounde to meet with government officials. After one flat tire and the points closing up causing the car engine to fail, we finally made it and had a very productive day. Crawled back to Douala in heavy tropical downpours in time for my 10:30 PM flight to Paris.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 05-29-99).]
May 31, 1999 | 8:28 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
as I told BlondeBomber on our last meeting in Paris CDG: since having spent a weekend with him (and since visiting with him the swiss ornithology center), Gisela and I have a very different (much more attentive) attitude and sensibility when we sit in our garden and lissen to "our" birds. thank you BlondeBomber.
Jun 1, 1999 | 3:48 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Pasadena, CA. USA
Posts: 1,438
BB: If you have chance, I would also recommend the ornithology center at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. I was very impressed in my brief visit there. It is one of the premier bird research facilities in North America. The agriculture school also keeps/breeds several birds of prey (eagle, falcon, peregrine, etc.).
On a separate note, I remember way back when Microsoft introduced a sound card, the .wav files it bundled also include bird sounds from Cornell's ornithology center.
Welcome back!
On a separate note, I remember way back when Microsoft introduced a sound card, the .wav files it bundled also include bird sounds from Cornell's ornithology center.
Welcome back!
Jun 1, 1999 | 7:22 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,226
Great report! But you forgot to mention which hotel you stayed in, and whether you got AP points. 
Really, much different that you standard air travel report. Unusual and interesting. I might have to try a report from the "destination" point of view, instead of the "journey" POV.
Regards,
Ken Hamer
Really, much different that you standard air travel report. Unusual and interesting. I might have to try a report from the "destination" point of view, instead of the "journey" POV.
Regards,
Ken Hamer