We got up at 6:30AM on our last morning in Cabo Verde to do another beach walk just after the sun rose. After our last breakfast buffet, we got in two more hours by the pool before cleaning up and checking out at noon sharp. Check-in and security for our flight to Portugal was quick and easy, although the flight was delayed about an hour, due to headwinds on the inbound flight.
We had a very tight connection in Lisbon, due to our late arrival there. The London flight was right on time. When we deplaned at 10:40PM, the customs hall was completely empty. We caught the last Hotel Hoppa run of the day at 11:20 and were at the sprawling Renaissance Hotel a few minutes later.
We were offered the hotel’s breakfast complimentary, so, as soon as it opened at 6AM, we were there for a super quick buffet. It was the Hotel Hoppa back to Heathrow, arriving by 6:30. Security was a breeze (it can be nasty at Heathrow!), and we were comfortably seated in the Premium Plaza Lounge for more coffee by 6:45. The packed flight to Halifax pushed back on time at 9:00 but was caught up in a takeoff backlog and didn’t get in the air until 9:40. Several pockets of turbulence marked our ‘crossing of the pond’, including a lots of rough air to the east of Newfoundland. As a result, we ended up landing a full 45 minutes late. But with lots of weather-related flight cancellations across Europe and Canada today, and with a significant snowfall due to hit Halifax this evening and into tomorrow, we are so grateful that our three flights unfolded with relative clockwork.
At the close of every Olympic Games, the world waits with bated breath to hear whether the IOC President will declare the given Games as ‘the best ever’. I’m not sure if it really means all that much. Bringing the matter down to a very base level, do David and Pam declare our Cabo Verde trip as our ‘best ever March Break’? Hmm, not sure about that. But we can both say with gusto that it was a wonderful, wonderful trip and destination, filled with variety of sights and experiences. The logistics went off without a hitch, which always contributes to the overall taste of a trip! The three islands we visited provided diversity of scenery and richly exposed us to Cabo Verde’s culture, history and way of life. We are definitely richer for the experience and are returning home rested.
As always, we appreciate your interest in our travels, and we thank you for having joined us on this journey!
 |
| TAP Air Portugal Airbus A321neo from Boa Vista to Lisbon. We paid $50 USD to have the seat next to us remain empty for the four-hour flight, which was pretty well full. It made things a lot more comfortable. |
 |
| Our last view of Cabo Verde was the northern coastline of Boa Vista. |
 |
You don’t get a complimentary meal in economy class anymore within Europe - it’s a perk that was chopped several years ago. So we just assumed Boa Vista to Lisbon would have that rule applied. Turns out, TAP considers it an overseas flight, and we were pleasantly surprised when TAP served a decent tortellini lunch.
|
 |
| Upon descent into Lisbon, the endless beaches of Portugal’s Atlantic coastline came into view, just before dark. |
 |
| A portion of a Lisbon’s older core. |
 |
| Lisbon’s largest prison. Not that it’s a pleasant sight to capture among all the things Lisbon has to show, but its sheer size certainly impresses, even from the air. |
 |
The TAP Air Portugal flight from Lisbon to
London Heathrow was pretty full (Airbus A320neo), but we miraculously ended up with no one beside us. And this time, we didn’t have to pay the $50 USD ‘empty seat fee’! The person across the aisle from us literally coughed nonstop for the three-hour flight. If we haven’t caught what she has, we will be amazed. |
 |
The 6:25AM Hotel Hoppa ride back to
Heathrow revealed the joys of green grass, flowering trees… |
 |
…and even daffodils! Such an encouraging thing to see on the first full day of spring. Especially with a winter snowstorm about to hit Halifax.
|
 |
| The Air Canada Boeing 737Max-8 from Heathrow to Halifax was full, except for a handful of empty middle seats. It pushed back a few minutes past the 9AM departure time and was airborne at 9:40. Heathrow had some fog this morning, which contributed to a few delays. |
 |
I generally dislike transiting through London. But I have to admit, it makes for some airplane spotting that is hard to match. Here is a double-decker Emirates Airbus A380.
|
 |
And it’s clear that we are on British Airways’ turf! Air Canada’s wingtip logo is juxtaposed against a sea of
British Airways aircraft, parked at Terminal 5. We departed from Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal, as it is known.
|
 | | While there are still fields to be planted, the British countryside is a green reminder that even the snow remaining in our garden will have to melt… someday! |
 |
| Air Canada served a decent chicken teriyaki lunch in economy class. |
 |
We just flown from Africa on three different flights, and where does our flight path take us? Literally right above the rooftops of both Pam’s mom in St. John’s and my parents in Clarke’s Beach!
|
Comments
Post a Comment