I handed in my thesis on Friday, 11 Aug. Michael and Louisa drove me to Christchurch. Since I worried about the trip very much, I don't think I had a good rest at all. But Christchurch is good.
On Monday I checked in for my trip. I was told the final flight from London to Berlin hadn't been opened since the high security, so transportation would be arranged. I was even a bit happier as it would be good to take a train or bus so that I didn't get blown up.
The first flight was actually quite good. Window seat, quiet neighbour and some watchable movies. Except that I was a bit sick in later hours and I think it is very stupid for the airlines to prepare for puke bags instead of some sealegs. I swore to myself I needed to buy some sealegs alikes by all means. At the first counter in HK airport, my credit card was rejected. I was told I could pay in Euros but the change could be in HKD. I certainly didn't want to hold more than 100HKDs. The foreign exchange won't break my €20 to smaller notes to pay at the counter, I then decided to buy a bottle of water to try my luck at another counter, and it worked by miracle! I finally bought a travel sickness medicine. On my way to the gate, I found a drinkable water fountain. Who told me there is no drinking water in HK?
I was very sleepy in the next two hours waiting for the next flight. I even looked forward to sleeping in the chair and the fear for terrorists seemed long gone. However, it turned out that I had to be cramped in the small seat for nearly 12 hours. It was very very uncomfortable. I can't imagine I have to go through it again on my way back.
The travel advice says I should walk around whenever possible. I did in Heathrow: I had to walk from terminal bus stop to terminal bus stop to switch among terminals just to check if my next flight was still available! At each terminal, I had to take off my shoes to go through the security checks. Oh, dear, good for my health. I was told to wait at the gate for the next available seat which could be in the immediate next flight one hour later or the one after 8 hours later! I got thirsty at the end and wanted to buy a drink as I couldn't found free drinking water any more. The minimum credit card charge is 3 pounds. So I finally spent my €20. I then spent 3 pounds on the internet to tell Roland he could wait for me in Tegel airport for up to 8 hours!
I was lucky enough to catch the immediate next one and the trip turned out most pleasant.
I finally arrived alive and nearly couldn't believe I am already here! A holiday I'd planned for 4 months. The risk was very high: being blown up by terrorists and loss of the luggage. I waited for nearly an hour to see my blue suit case. Roland was waiting outside the glass door. We saw each other behind the glass every 15 minutes... come one, my luggage?! He suddenly waved to me asking me to come out as the announcement in German said all rest of passengers should go to the Lost and Found to claim the loss of the luggage! I knew my suit case is some where in Heathrow!
3 days later, my case was sent back in one piece but with 3 big cracks. Oh well, I get back the money I paid for travel insurance to compensate for the damage of the case and cost of emergency purchase. Now everything is slowly back on what I had planned.
The travel plan is Magdeburg -> Stuttgart -> Konstanz -> Magdeburg.
Magdeburg is a canned food heaven. The supermarket is full of canned vegetables and sausages. I even imagine living on the canned food if I was too busy to cook.
