CROATIA - Phil & Jill

Delayed Qatar flight

05.09.2019

Having decided to take up the offer of the Croatian cycling group we have been busy at home unpacking from the last trip to Europe, catching up with family and friends and doing some photo books knowing we only had a month before we were to take off for Croatia.

Would you believe it, Qatar rang us on Tuesday to say flight was delayed by 5 hours leaving Melbourne; then a 12 hour delay in Doha with a 2.00am departure to Zagreb the next morning.

We were annoyed at first but pleased that we didn't have to wait at the airport but at home. Paul was kind enough to come over at 7.30pm and drove us to the airport. We had dinner in the Business lounge. When we boarded the plane we just went straight to sleep and didn't wake up for about 6 hours. Watched 2 films then slept again.

The Qatar people at Doha airport were all organised with our piece of paper enabling free transfers to a 5 star hotel in the city and a meal voucher for $US 50 each. Then transfer back to airport. So we really enjoyed our stop over at the Onxy Rotana and slept really well again. The cuisine at the international restaurant was a superb buffet featuring many foods such as Arabic, Japanese, Indian, Italian and English. There were 5 restaurants in the hotel to choose from. The only thing I missed out on was a swim as I left my bathers in the checked luggage. It would have been lovely to have a swim after dinner as it was still 38 degrees outside. I think it was 42 degrees when we arrived. Thank goodness for air conditioning.The smaller plane to Zagreb was comfortable and smooth 5 1/2 hours. So we have pulled up well. We take the wheelchair service which is outstanding in service and speed around these big airports.

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So we arrived to a sunny day in Zagreb. Changed money. Got the airport shuttle waiting outside. It took about 50 mins to come into the city and then walked from the main bus station to our apartment about 15 mins away. So we felt we were back in the swing of it from Europe. I contacted Maja, the owner of the apartment and she adjusted our booking accordingly. So that is how this trip started. Always a story!!

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