This is a bit of a miscellany of observations following another trip to Zoetry Agua in Punta Cana (our 4th visit since 2020). It was our first long-haul since we oldies started tottering around on walking sticks, and generated some interesting experiences!

26 Nov 24
BA2527, 0725 JER-LGW, A320, Seats 1A/C

JER airport usually works well, and this was no exception. Fast track to Security [which didn’t matter as it was so quiet] and plenty of room in the Lounge. Boarding was Gate 10, and we had already been flagged at Check-in for Pre-boarding [Group 00 as I call it]. On board we found it was one of those G-GAT* A320s where 1A/C are completely exposed: at least we had plenty of leg room!




“Breakfast” was the pared down nothingness of a sausage bun or nothing! No cutlery, no fruit bowl … and napkins handed out as a seeming afterthought. Quite appalling!




LGW arrival was to Gate 2, entailing a long walk round the pier to eventually reach Domestic Arrivals. That did not suit these old totterers! And having arrived Landside, it was straight upstairs to Departures. Phew!

Security [Premium Gatwick] was fine as usual, and off to the FLounge. The new furniture has been installed, and has lower backs. As a result your head can be very close to someone else’s in the next bay. Not great, especially when that person is yakking away to his friends!

BA2205, 1310 LGW-PUJ, B777, Seats 4A/B

Another long trek to Gate 17, but at least the moving walkways were working!



Gate staff checked BPs, Passports and the DR Immigration form. And then wait near the door to the airbridge. Pre-boarding announced and worked well, and we squeezed into the old Club World seats and remembered how uncomfortable and inconvenient they are! Sticks and carry-ons safely showed above us.




We both skipped the main course, as usual. Soup + Starter, Pud + Cheese is quite enough!

PUJ Arrival. One good thing about 4A/B is that you get to be first off! And there on the airbridge we found a large collection of Wheelchairs and Porters, seeking clients. OK, we’ll go for it! Two young operators of these devices, driving at some speed along corridors and down ramps to the Border, where they gave our passports and entry document to the Agent. A quick look at the computer, 2 stamps and … away again!

At high speed I suddenly realised we were passing Duty Free … “STOP!” A quick transaction for 400 Marlboro (�67.98 on my Starling forex free debit card) and onward, James … next stop Reclaim, which is quite a long way away. And there we wait. And wait. And eventually we have a case! Onwards to Customs, where our 2 charioteers are waved straight past … and outside to Ground Transfers.

BA Holidays uses Amstar, and they are very efficient and reliable in our experience. Their desks are in the middle of this LONG row of Transfer and Rental Agents.


Ground Transfers and Taxis

Being official employees of the Airport (Special Services) they executed a neat bit of queue-jumping, were told which vehicle we were in, and … away again into the parking lot where our mini-van awaited. Phew! Quick and efficient [except for Reclaim) and after their efforts I later felt rather guilty about only tipping them $2 each.

After a quick cigarette (Lady T has given up after her cancer diagnosis) we were on our way for the c. 1 hour drive to Zoetry.

A period of leisure, relaxation, good food and copious wine ensued.

We enjoyed the beach (28� and sunny) and the Hydrotherapy pool in the Spa.




And on 1 December they officially started Christmas, Most of the trees in the grounds were festooned with fairy lights, and Santa and his mini-skirted helpers paid a visit! Quite cute, if a bit OTT.

5 Dec 24

Amstar collected us at 1545 for the return journey. Perhaps a little early, but we always like to be where we need to be. Last-minute rushing doesn’t work for us, mentally or physically! At the airport we climbed out of the vehicle to find out case had already been captured by Special Services, who navigated us to the BA Check-in desks. Thank you, have $1. The desks weren’t quite open but it was only about 5 minutes before we were waved across to the Club desk. BPs duly printed, case tagged through to JER and then we were asked if we wanted wheelchair assistance. OK, why not!

It was a further 5-10 minutes before one arrived, and the charioteer asked if we wanted another. I foolishly declined, being the more mobile of the two of us, and followed in My Lady’s wake. What I had forgotten is how big PUJ Terminal B is … about 750 yards from kerbside to Gate/Lounge! Anyway, follow that wheelchair and try to keep up!

Passport and BPs checked. Onward to Security [shoes off, everything in trays]. Then round the corner to Immigration [more queue jumping!]. Finally head for Gate B29 and the Lounge, which is another 3 miles away… OK, maybe 400 yards. And there we are … the charioteer got $5 on this occasion, and I was exhausted!

Details of the rather nice Lounge are at this post … 147

BA2204, 2025 PUJ-LGW, B777, Seats 4A/B

There was a bit of confusion on the Lounge departure boards … Gate 29 or 30? Anyway, one of them said go to Gate, so we did and just got out before our allotted 2 hours were up! And Gate 29 it proved to be, with one minor issue: late arrival of the inbound aircraft! And through the window we could see the stream of passengers from the 2205, and then the crew, making their way to arrivals! At least we managed to get seats in the right area, after some kind people moved up to give us space.



Eventually, some 30 minutes or more late, we joined Group 00 for boarding, passing the drug sniffer dog and handler on the airbridge. Rather annoyingly, they weren’t actually ready for boarding and we all stood there for 10 minutes! But finally, 4A/B were occupied by your correspondent and his wife!

Safely airborne, it was Food O’clock ... where again we passed on the main course. I ate the 3 Prawns from the starter, and after pudding our nice CC provided me with a second cheese plate to help me finish a large glass of Port.



And then I slept until Ireland loomed over the horizon and breakfast was served. NOT impressed, again. What on Earth is a Pastrami, Havarti and Cream Cheese butter bread sandwich supposed to be as a Breakfast?? (PS, it was cr*p). BA’s cut-down meals are really starting to annoy me.




LGW Arrival
6 Dec 24

Oh, joy, parked at one of those distant Pier 3 gates (34?) with a bloody long walk to the Border, where my passport scanner was playing up and had to be reset a couple of times. Then out to Landside again, up to Security, blah blah blah … and the FLounge is closed for redecoration. OK, time to renew a very distant acquaintance with the “other lounge”. At least we found seats while waiting for …

BA2522, 1135 LGW-JER, A320, Seats 1A/C

… from Gate 5, so another nice long walk! At least boarding commenced just as we got there, so we ended up as Group 000 as we walked to the Desk, BPs scanned and straight on to the aircraft. Again loads of legroom on a G-GAT* airframe, but the first overhead lockers were taking up with: 1. Megaphone, 2. Emergency medical/oxygen, 3. Bulk supplies of some sort of kitchen or toilet paper. Our bags ended up back over Row 2. Why can’t BAA’s bulk supplies go in the hold somewhere?

The high-speed lunch was at least a proper meal, a palatable Chicken Salad and all the trimmings. Why, oh why, are breakfasts so pared down to the minimum?




JER arrival painless, beating Storm Darragh’s arrival which wiped out the next days movements completely. Bag on the belt quite promptly, taxi and … home to 9�c. Yeuch!

Nice to still be travelling, albeit with some difficulty. And when the BA Hols bonus TPs arrive, we will be Gold for another year. W00T!
Nothing in MMB until March 2025, when (God willing) we return to Zoetry for visit No. 5, followed by PHX in April to start the new realigned membership year.

Thanks for reading!

Uncle T, completely agree, the BA version of breakfast from what they call east coast, but including the Caribbean is a disgrace. My last Bahamas flight I slept through the BA fine dining breakfast experience, because i simply can’t be bothered!
I have an Avios long haul business class to fly and even if I can avoid, breakfast gate, brunch gate and supper gate, that will still be it for me and BA! I’ll go with whichever suits me best, which increasingly is not BA.
Flighty tells me I’m using other airlines much more, not that the BA been counters give a fig, unless I’m joined but many others, and by that time it’s too late because I’ll have joined you in the stick users team.

I still don't really know what to think about it.

Thank you, Uncle T, for another great TR. I have been using Special Assistance for about 10 years now due to an issue with my feet and not being able to walk far. I think my current wife likes it as there is a lot of queue jumping but I found that the Special Assistance varies greatly. Probably the best is Sin Barreras in Spain but recent experiences in South Africa were fantastic. We were met getting off the Emirates flight at CPT by a fearsome lady who proved that her diminutive size (compared to mine) was no barrier. When the chauffeur meeting us suggested that we accompany him all the way to the multi-storey carpark she told him firmly that he was to go an get the car right now and meet us up at Departures "Kiss & Fly". Under normal circumstances passengers are not allowed to exit from these doors but Special Assistance is permitted to do so. Needless to say she was suitably rewarded for her efforts. Just a tip for your next trip to South Africa.

Well done Uncle T. Nice to see you back travelling.

T8191 - you have a bunch of nephews and nieces on FT! Nice report. Love the title!

but the first overhead lockers were taking up with: 1. Megaphone, 2. Emergency medical/oxygen, 3. Bulk supplies of some sort of kitchen or toilet paper. Our bags ended up back over Row 2. Why can�t BAA�s bulk supplies go in the hold somewhere?

What use would emergency medical and oxygen supplies be located underneath the plane thus not accessible in a, well, emergency?

great read tho!

I only want the bulk supplies shifted! Obviously the first 2 items are in the rightful places, at the front and in their own dedicated compartments.

Glad you enjoyed the report ... "your feedback is appreciated"