Bel & Ecuador: Part 5: Montañita & Salinas

We left Puerto Rico in the morning and made a few stopts before reaching Montañita.

One of the places we visited was Olon, where is a sanctuary of a local virgin. The sanctuary is made of sea stones and shelves.

Quite rare, right?

Oh, you can see our car parked just next to the sanctuary :)

The place had a nice view of the ocean...

It´s a shame the days were cloudy, and grey...

So, we kept driving to Montañita. The hotel was nice. It was the most expensive hotel in town. It had a swimming pool and a jacuzzi :) For $22 per night, we were like royalty in Montañita.

We left our luggage in our room and went to grab some lunch.

I was asking Mechi to take a picture of me with a banana track, when we saw Cecilia and Tamara! Remember how we met them in Baños the week before? We were supposed to meet two nights after in Quito, but we confused our itinerary and we were not staying in Quito for the arranged night. We had no contact number or emails to let them know and felt very sorry about missing them... So... we found them there!

They had just arrived, so we walked around the town together. The town is actually really small. It has like 5 or 6 blocks and that´s it. But it´s so nice, and everyone is happy and easygoing.

So, we went to the beach and took a long walk.

Then we met again for dinner.

The following morning it was also cloudy but we enjoyed the beach anyway.

We walked again along the beach and then found a great restaurant called Tiki Taka (or something like that).

I had a great salad with peanut sauce, that was just delicious!

We found the girls later and went out for drinks...

Have you noticed how we are still wearing bathing suits? Well, that´s the way to go in Montañita...

We did got changed after that and went to a club.

Actually, we went to "the" Club. Its called Caña Grill and its the hottest place in town.

We met a bunch of guys from Ecuador, and we joined them...

The morning after, it was time to drive South to Salinas... Time to say goodbye to Montañita...

This time we asked Cecilia and Tamara for their phone numbers and emails to stay in touch. They were also going to Salinas the same day...

The road was much better at this part... or maybe is that we were just used to the terrible conditions :)

We saw some salt fields, that are the ones that give the city "Salinas" its name.

We saw lots of beer advertising. It´s funny how the ad says, Ecuatorianly refreshing...

We had lunch on a nice bar we saw in front of the beach...

It was cloudy, again! But we headed to the beach...

Anyway, we realized Montañita was much better. People were not that nice in Salinas. The city was big but without personality.

So, we booked a boat tour and saw some interesting birds with blue legs!

Then, we got bored and realized the next 2 days were going to be really boring if we stayed there! We called Cecilia and Tamara to see what they were up to... Maybe they had found a better spot in the city that was worth watching... But, they didn´t! They told us they were already back in Montañita. They had also got bored and got back!

So we went back to the hotel, packed our belongings and left...

Montañita was waiting for us!

Airplanes: When they become a nightmare (ii)

So, these are the good news from Delta.

I didn´t get a full refund after all, but the compensation they are offering is decent enough, so I won´t lost any more time, writing to them... I will accept it and I´ll organize a new trip... I just have to figure out where to go next!!!

Dear Bel and The City,

Thank you for your e-mail describing the inconvenience you experienced
due to flight irregularities when traveling with Delta and our Delta
Connection partner, Comair. We apologize for the difficulties you
encountered.

We are very concerned about the unfortunate situation you described.
Flying with Delta should be enjoyable, and I am sorry for any role we
may have played which caused your travel experience to be otherwise. The
inconvenience you experienced does not support our goal of providing a
high level of service and value to our customers. Customer service is
very important to us, and we are working hard to transform our company.


Your time is valuable, and operating on schedule is equally important to
us. However, in the process of operating scheduled service over many
different routes each day, occasional mechanical malfunctions, adverse
weather, and other interruptions to routine performance plans are
unavoidable. These are situations faced by all airlines and no air
carrier can guarantee that all flights will depart or arrive on
schedule. We are sorry you were inconvenienced due to these delays and
you also incurred additional expense.

Your comments about our onboard service are appreciated. We realize
in-flight dining can add to the overall travel experience, and it is
unfortunate you were disappointed. The changes in our meal service are a
part of Delta's comprehensive Transformation Plan to offer a more
simplified, value-driven customer experience. Accommodating our
customers' dietary needs is a service we want to provide. We arrange for
thousands of special meals on our flights every year, and we do all
possible to avoid errors.

While we would like to offer special consideration in cases such as
yours, we are unable to honor the many similar requests that we receive
from others in equally deserving situations. We follow a consistent
policy to ensure that Delta is fair to everyone who travels with us.
Accordingly, we must respectfully decline your request for a refund of
your ticket.

We have also reviewed your information and want to reimburse the
expenses you incurred for the Shuttle. Accordingly, you will receive our
check worth $59.11 within twenty business days. Additionally, as a
goodwill gesture, we have authorized the issuance of our $200.00
electronic Transportation Credit which may be used toward future Delta
travel. E-TCVs are valid for one year from the date of issue. They may
be redeemed at delta.com, Delta Reservations, or at any Delta city or
airport ticket office. Tickets issued at delta.com will not incur a
transaction fee. Fees will apply if the voucher is redeemed through any
other Delta location. You will be receiving a receipt for this e-credit
in a separate e-mail. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the
e-credit for additional information.

Again, thank you for writing. Please accept our apology for the
inconvenience you experienced. We look forward to serving you under more
normal conditions.

Sincerely,

Jessica P. Neil
Manager
Customer Care

Airplanes: When they become a nightmare

Airplanes usually mean happiness, the beggining of a new trip, the promise of an expected holiday, or just the relief of going back home... However, it´s frequent that they become a nightmare...

As you know, I took a RoadTrip to Canada last September.

I flew from New York to Toronto, and then I began a Roadtrip that took me from Toronto-Niagara-Toronto-Ottawa-Quebec-Montreal to fly back to New York 9 days later.

The Road Trip was fantastic, but the flight was just a nightmare...

Below you can read my full complain to Delta Airlines, with details of the 7-hour nightmare I went through...

As a model I used the complaint I wrote for the Bus tour and that I included in the Post
Travel: When things do not go the way you expect

Wish me luck!!! I´m demanding full refund :)

Email about Past/Future travel: Past

Nature of Comment: Complaint Concern

Email Pertaining to: Flight_Delay_Cancellation

Email about Other topic: Passenger comfort

Comments:

As suggested by Delta operators, I am writing to obtain compensation
(total of $ 343.11) for the huge ordeal I had to go through, for which
Delta Airlines is responsible.

I was on the flight DL 5244 (operated by Comair) on August 31st, 2007,
scheduled to depart New York at 5.33pm and to arrive Toronto at 7.50pm.

A few minutes before the time of boarding, a delay on our time departure
was announced. So, we boarded one hour later.

Getting out of the gate took longer that usual because of the traffic,
but we got a place in the line to take off. We had been in the plane for
about an hour, really close to take off, when we received an
announcement from the pilot stating that we needed to return to the gate
since the flight attendant was about to exceed her maximum time of work
for that day. But we were told there was another flight attendant ready
to board as soon as we get to the gate.

It took us a really long time to get out of the line and there were no
available gates so we had to wait for about an hour. By the time we
managed to reach one, there was no one waiting to replace our flight
attendant, as we were informed, so we had to wait for another hour.

In the meantime, we received another announcement from the pilot, saying
that the First Officer was also reaching his maximum working hours.
Therefore, we needed another replacement, and this lead to another
delay.

When all the crew was finally on the plane, there was some paperwork to
be done, refilling the fuel, etc. Then, we spent over an hour taxing and
managed to take off after midnight and arrived in Toronto airport around
2.30am, after an incredible seven-hour delay.

The weather had no abnormal conditions, in New York , Toronto or in
between, as our Pilot confirmed several times. Even though there was air
traffic, all the planes were taking off and landing.

WHAT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND IS DELTA?S INCAPACITY TO MANAGE ITS STAFF
EFFICIENTLY:

-Susan, the flight attendant allegued she had given heads up that
morning about the possibility of exceeding her working hours.

-And even if the flight attendant hadn?t adviced Delta about this
possibility, considering the delays we were already suffering, it had to
be obvious for Delta and the rest of the crew that they were going to
exceed their working hours. How is it possible that they had to wait
until being actually overworking to call a replacement?


NONE OF THIS NIGHTMARE HAD HAPPENED, IF DELTA HAD PREVENTED THIS
SITUATION AND GOTTEN REPLACEMENTS BEFORE BOARDING.

FURTHERMORE, IT?S INEXCUSABLE THE WAY THE PASSENGERS WERE TREATED BY
DELTA AIRLINES, WHICH SHOWED NO INTEREST FOR THE PASSENGERS? COMFORT:

-We were delayed for 7 hours, 6 of which we were held IN the plane
(before taking off).

-The condition of the restrooms was repulsive and nauseating. Since we
boarded, all passengers had to use perfume to be able to breath when
using the restrooms, since they smelled and had no sufficient sanitary
conditions.

-***Although I requested Low sodium meals, we all passengers had salty
peanuts, salty crackers and hot mineral water as only options***.

-The staff did nothing to satisfy my requests (and other passengers) to
organize something to eat (sandwiches etc). Since we were waiting (for
the crew?s replacement) at the gate for 3 hours, a catering service
could have been easily arranged.

-**I (as well as other passengers) specifically requested delta?s crew
to ask delta airlines for delta representatives in toronto to satisfy
our needs once we get there**. Many passengers had missed connecting
flights, reservations at hotels, and I MISSED MY SHUTTLE TO NIAGARA
FALLS.

BUT WHEN WE GOT TO TORONTO THERE WAS ONLY ONE DELTA REPRESENTATIVE
WAITING FOR US, WHO DIDN?T DO ANYTHING TO HELP us after a seven-hour
delay. All the passengers were deliberately discouraged to try to get
immediate transportation, alleging it would be faster to make our own
arrangements and then ask Delta for a refund.

Therefore, my boyfriend (who had been driving from the US for over 8
hours and surprisingly still reached Niagara before I did) had to drive
all the way from Niagara to pick me up in Toronto Airport .

Although I travel a lot with different airlines, domestic and
international flights, this was by far the worst experience that I have
ever had. I haven?t ever encountered such big amount of incompetence from
other airlines.

Based on the paragraphs above, I think it?s proved Delta has no
capabilities to fulfill schedules? commitments or to treat passengers
accurately.

THIS WAS A VERY STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE THAT I WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO
AVOID. IT WAS DISTRESSING ME AND ALL THE PASSENGERS AND WE LIVED FROM
ONE CRISIS TO THE NEXT, JUST BEGGING FOR THE CHANCE TO GET TO TORONTO TO
GET OFF THE PLANE.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I DO FEEL THAT IS REASONABLE TO EXPECT A
FULL REFUND OF THE MONEY PAID TO DELTA, FOLLOWING YOUR MISREPRESENTATION
OF WHAT YOU WERE OFFERING. I EXPECT, THEREFORE, A REFUND OF THE FULL
$284, AND A COMPENSATION FOR THE $59,11 I PAID FOR THE SHUTTLE TO
NIAGARA THAT I MISSED.

If this sum is not forthcoming, I am quite prepared to take the matter
to the appropriate authorities.

Yours sincerely,

Bel And The City
(Full name of course)




PS: I am attaching the details of the Shuttle I had booked from Toronto to Niagara.

Bel & Canada: Part 1 - Niagara & Toronto

Canada - Niagara & Toronto, a set on Flickr.

So, after all the troubles I experienced last Friday on the flight from New York toToronto (there will be a post in the next days), I over slept but managed to have a great time in Niagara...

We really enjoyed Niagara Falls, it took us the entire day. We left the hotel at 11am, and we finished seeing all the atractions around 7pm.

The best thing is The Maid of The Mist. That's a must! Incredibly fun and amazing views.

Journey behind the falls is also nice and the sweetest things was the Butterfly Conservatorium.

My travel mate lost his cel phone on a touristic bus but fortunately we got it back.

We had dinner and drove to Toronto. The car he rented was really nice, a huge Volvo :)

We arrived around midnight and starting to look at the hostel. I had sent an email earlier letting them know we were getting late...
But... It ended up being a familiy house! An Indian family´s home! Since we arrived so late, they had given the room to some one else. It was a mess...
They called someone who picked us up and took us to some other house. Also Indian. but the place really smelled. It was not what we were expecting.... awful. We booked a hostel, instead, we got a smelly room in a family house. We weren't comfortable at all.
So, we left and started to look for a place to stay in Toronto.
The problem was that it was a long weekend! So, everything was full! We were driving from one hotel to another, not even taking prices into account, but everything was full. I felt so frustrated, I wanted to cry!
I was feeling so guilty because I was the one who chose the hostel. But my travel mate was super nice and patient. I thought he would get mad but he didn't.
It was 1am in the morning already or even later. We were driving back and forth in the highway, completely lost and exhausted.
At the end, we found room available in a hotel in downtown Toronto, and we decided to stay here the three nights.

On Sunday we were exhausted and we didn´t do much. We slept until midday, had lunch in a nice place and then we just spent the afternoon rambling around the city.

My travel mate is tired all the time and sometimes I feel I could do more things and go to more places by myself. But then I think it wouldn't be so fun without him. And, I wouldn´t be driving, I would be taking buses and trains to get from one city to another... so well, you can´t have it all. Life is about choices, and this time I chose to have a slow trip.

Today, we were lazy, again. But we enjoyed the royal ontario Museum ,the CN Tower and the Toronto Islands. We took a ferry there, and it was so fun!

Tomorrow we are rushing to see Casa Loma, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Zoo, before going to Ottawa, where we are spending only one night!
I´ll try to make him rush!!