Flight over to Portugal

We left Miami on Thursday, 9/27 at 4:30 pm vis Air Portugal to Lisbon.   The tickets had been purchased in April for $306 each for one way.   If anyone tried to buy that same ticket last week, it would cost them $1650+.   This is just a little tidbit – the earlier you purchase a ticket the cheaper it is.

Back to the airport.

We arrived in plenty of time just in case there would be an issues (12:30).  Rental car was returned.  Walked through the terminal to the airline check in.   Sat in nearby chairs until  check in process was to begin.

Got all that done. BAM – John forgot something in the car. So  I waited in the check in area while he took the 20-25 minute walk back to the car rental area to retrieve the item.   He was successful and getting the items, hooray.

When he returned, we made the walk through the Airport Security screening.

BAM – again John.  He had his pockets full of items that he wanted handy on the Flight.  When he thought everything was out of the 10 different pockets, he still set off an alarm.  Forgot he has placed his reading glasses in an upper shirt pocket.   Finally, they let him through.

We reorganized everything  taken out and headed to the sitting area to waiting for the plane.

By this time, I was getting hungry.

We originally had planned to bring something with us to eat, but in our excitement to get to the airport, we didn’t.  Everyone who travels knows how expensive airport food can be.

One small pan pizza was $7.00. Getting something to drink with this expensive slice of tomato sauce covered bread,  One    16 oz bottle of Diet Coke was $3.80.   I guess if you are hungry and thirsty, the airport knows you are willing to pay the price and so I did.

We boarded the plane on time.

Take off was pretty much on schedule considering how busy the Miami airport is daily.

Once in the air, we tried out best to settle in for a long flight; 8 hours to be exact.

About an hour into the flight, dinner was served.  To our surprise, it was a complete Meal.  The meal included salad, mac and cheese, fruit, bread, and choice of chicken/pasta or beef/rice entrée.

Drinks were all free.  As a matter of fact, this included wine on the free list.   Some people even got 2-3 glasses of this delicious drink at no additional cost.

Along with the free meal and drinks, all the movies, TV, music and games were also included in the flight.



After eating, drinking and watching a movie, I turned on the music, stretched as most as possible and tried to sleep.  I did manage to nap in short intervals.  No matter how hard you try, its almost impossible to get a good night sleep in a small boxed in area.

Poor John, I don’t think he slept at all.  He just can’t sleep in a moving vehicle and we were going through some turbulence throughout the night.

Breakfast was served

To our surprise, about 1 1/2 hours before landing, we were served breakfast.   This meal included breads, cheese, ham, and fruit with drinks.   Another unexpected tasty meal.

Although the flight was only 8 hours and we left Miami at 4:30pm on Thursday,  arrived in Lisbon at 5:00am their time. Looking at a watch it showed a 12 hours flight, but was only 8.

It’s going to take some getting use to when trying to face time with family in Louisiana.   Our dinner time at 6pm is their lunch time 12:00pm same day.

We are now in the Lisbon, Portugal area.

All in all – we made the flight.  Found all of our luggage.  Contacted the condo owner.   Got into a cab for the drive up the mountain side to the small village of Apelacao for 2 weeks.

60plusandfearless,

Dianne

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