Disappointments

@allknowing (153544)
India
August 9, 2012 11:58pm CST
Most of you who have widely travelled must be also having your share of disappointments. I too have been fortunate to have travelled quite a bit but have had disappointments. My first trip to a place where it snows was Kashmir. I was hoping that I would have some experience of snow flakes falling on my head but the time I visited there it never happened. When I was in Nepal, I was to have a close look at the Himalayas by taking a ride on a plane that is specially meant for such sight seeing, . But the programme was cancelled as the weather was very bad. In Mysore the Brindavan Gardens were not lit due to some technical reasons. My trip to Tiger Hill in Darjeeling was also a disappointment despite waking up at 3 in the morning and reaching there to see the first rays of the sun exposing the Himalayas all because of bad weather. In London, being a Sunday, I never got to see Trouping the Colour. We were there only for two days. I was hoping to see an Olive tree but never saw a single one whie in Italy. The picture that was clicked with pigeons on my shoulder and all over me at St. Mark's Square in Venice somehow vanished - a memory which I would have cherished. I was so wanting to taste peaches in wine when it Italy but did not know where to go for them. I could not watch an opera in Sydney because my companion showed no interest. I was hoping to see Tulips in Amsterdam - again I visited there at a wrong time. I had plans to visit my friends in Switzerland and even after fixing dates they had to leave for London on some urgent work. My dream to watch a play on 42 Broadway Street was a total fiasco as the play that we picked was so boring - "Betrayal" I could go on and on but these disappointment would be enough to remind you of your own! Let's hear of them!
1 person likes this
5 responses
marguicha
@marguicha (230351)
• Chile
10 Aug 12
I think that I tend to turn my disappointments in possitive things. In this last vacations (less than a month ago) I had several problems with my lodgings. Although my most standards they would have been awesome anyway, I traded my 5 star timeshare for 4 people for a studio that was supposed to be as good as mine in Aruba. There were several problems that were taken care of after I expresed that I did not like was was given to us. But it took them a lot of time to do it and problems kept coming one after another. So I finally went to see the manager and told him all that had happened to us. He said he was sorry, offered us a last day there (we had our flight one day after the weeks there were over and my friend had booked a hotel online). We made use of that at a very small cost and my friend got our money back frm the other hotel. To make things better still, the manager pampered us with a voucher for a diner at an italian restaurant at the resort. The chef came over to ask us how was our diner and said that the manager had called him specially to tell him to treat us well. I must confess that I do not go to any vacation with special expectations besides having fun and getting to know other people. Whatever else happens is an extra. I usually get these extra benefits that happen like miracles.
2 people like this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
10 Aug 12
When I take up a package holiday I do have expectations and that is one reason why I travel - to experience something that is typical of a country besides ofcourse the break I get from my routines. That does not mean I do not enjoy my holidays.I do. I have so many wonderful things to remember about my holidays. Talking about vip treatment that you got after a grueling time, I remember we had gone to Goa during the rains - by choice ofcourse - and at that time there were hardly any people occupying the hotel. We were pampered no end!
1 person likes this
maximax8
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
10 Aug 12
I booked a flight to Mexico but was very disappointed when a hurricane hit the Mexican Coastline. Therefore Cancun Airport got closed. My flight got canceled due to that happening. I was so sad having packed for my trip and then the travel agency canceled it. I phoned another travel agent and said I wished to fly last minute to anywhere tropical. She said she had one airline ticket left for the Maldives for just two hundred pounds. I booked that flight and went off to my local library to borrow a travel guide book on the Maldives. I looked at it and was disappointed and shocked when I saw the accommodation prices. Oh my goodness I had thought. I did manage to go to Mexico the next year and also visited Belize plus Guatemala. I was disappointed with the weather in Belize. It was dull and overcast therefore a boat trip to see sea horses and a camping trip to the islands didn't happen. I found that disappointing. On my last trip I went to Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay. I was disappointed that the hotel in Rio I booked resold our room before we arrived. I asked the manager to book us another hotel. I was disappointed to pay even more in the taxi to get there. I was disappointed the room was a twin for three of us and it cost more money that the original one that I had booked. We had a happy and safe time in Rio but it cost loads of money. I was disappointed the bus was fully booked and I had to buy a flight to get back to Argentina to fly back home in time.
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
10 Aug 12
You being a veteran traveller I notice you were able to seek alternatives for your survival. A friend of mine was covering the Scandinavian countries and there she was robbed of her hand bag which had all the documents.I believe the bus in which they were travelling was driven off by robbers while they were sight seeing. Her's was truly a sad situation. She went through hell. She had to contact the embassy etc for regularising her travel. But despite all the disappointment travel lovers will never give up!
1 person likes this
maximax8
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
10 Aug 12
At 18 years old I worked as a children's nanny in Finland. The family told me Finland was very safe. We left bikes by the side of the motorway and they were there when we got back. The mom left the doors open and the house stayed safe. I traveled around the other Scandinavian countries and stayed safe. I feel sorry for your friend that got her hand bag robbed by criminals. It must have been a very sad situation for her and bothersome to have to contact the embassy. Yes, travel lovers never give up.
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
11 Aug 12
I can well understand how things have changed. They have,in fact, globally. We are safe no more. I am now living in a semi rural town which was considered safe once upon a time with doors open as you have pointed out. The farmhands would not touch the produce but now someone needs to supervise their work. It is sad really! Italy is known for pick pocketers!
1 person likes this
pergammano
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
10 Aug 12
YOU should have come to Palm Springs, California with me in 1978 for snow flakes to fall on your head! Here we are, "snowbirds" heading South to escape the grips of winter (cold and snowy in the Vancouver, B.C. are in Feb.) so with luggage FULL of bathing suits, and scanty sun-wear.."fun in the sun" our only thoughts! We awaken the SECOND morning to 17 (yes 17 inches) of SNOW! The first time it had snowed in the DESERT in 107 years!!!! We thought that we had left that "cold, icy stuff" at home! To make matters worse, being the Desert, there is NO infrastructure for drainage of water! Being true to Desert weather, the following day--the sun shone with abandon..melting all the snow, including the snow on the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, that ended up in the Desert basin, which meant about a foot and a half of water on the basin floor! Hence, we were stranded for the rest of our vacation! One year later, a "typhoon" in Honolulu...and two years after that, a hurricane on the big Island, meaning NO power, and the Lobby of our Hotel in a foot of water! YES..vacations are fantastic...JUST don't travel with me...I have a little BLACK weather cloud that follows me! I have NOT been on "myLot" much this summer, as I am starting to work between 4:30 and 5 A.M. every morning (and that's my "mylotting" time) Has turned my schedule upside down and there is "NO GAS" left in the tank, at the end of the day! Usually in bed by 8:30, as I am up at 3! I truly MISS YOU and being here!
pergammano
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
11 Aug 12
Even if you were to visit me, mid-summer which is right now! In a few hours I would have you frolicking in the snow! On a clear day, I can see the snow on Mt. Baker in Washington State..just south east of me! Let me know when your plane arrives!
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
11 Aug 12
I had to put a brake on my travel plans after my accident in 2006 which in a way has made me nervous at the thought of being in a foreign country with my back constantly reminding me that I can no longer be myself. Alaska was next on the cards. Only after I have gained full confidence that I can really think of another adventure and when that happens I know who to go with!
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
10 Aug 12
While snow follows you it avoids me.!! No matter where I go I don't get to see it. Starting with Kashmir, then at Denver - I was in Florida when I got the news that there was a foot of snow in Denver where my nephew lives and I was visiting him that year but when I reached there no snow anywhere. I am willing to face everything with you as long as you promise me snow!
1 person likes this
Porcospino
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
20 Aug 12
In Lithuania I wanted to visit the hill of crosses and I even had my own cross that I wanted to add to the collection of crosses, but we arrived in Lithuania we discovered that it was too complicated to get to the hill of crosses. We had to change busses more than once and it would take us a long time to get to the hill of crosses and a long time to get back, and we didn't have the money to rent a car so a daytrip wasn't a realistic option. That was disappointing, but I would like to visit the hill of crosses next time when we travel by car. I hope to return to Lithuania one day. When I visited Gibraltar I wanted to explore the area on foot and I was looking forward to that, but when we arrived we discovered that it was completely impossible to find a place to park the car. We drove around for a long time, but there were no parking spaces whatsoever, so we had to explore the area from the car instead. Before we left we parked the car illegally and ran all the way to a souvenir shop where we bought a couple of presents and then we hurried back to the car. Fortunately we didn't get a fine. I found it disappointing that we won't able to walk around in area, but at least we were able to explore some of the places from the car.
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
21 Aug 12
You taught me something Porcospino. I never knew about the Lithuania Hill of Crosses until I read your post. I surfed and found a page. I even posted that page on FB. Pity you could not make it. http://www.lcn.lt/en/bl/sventoves/kryziuk/ Better luck next time. Talking about parking it has become a menace the world over. When I was in the US I was taken to the airport by my nephew in Denver for my onward journey to NJ. The parking at the airport is quite away from the check in area which resulted in my almost missing my flight. When I got into the plane all eyes were on me. My luggage was double checked as they thought I was a hijacker!! - a lady hijacker!!
riyauro
@riyauro (6421)
• India
10 Aug 12
I guess it is a hell lot of disappointments. I think you went at times to the places and were disappointed. Make sure when you go anywhere next time, check the time and everything so that you can enjoy what you expect of that certain place. Plan it well. I have not been to many places, but I have lots of transits. I have been to singapore, Australia, New Zealand , Korea and India. I was happy with other places except India..hahha. Like we see in the movies, I was expecting India to be like that but, when I saw the cows roaming freely on the streets and some places goats as well. I was disappointed.. And to add to the disappointment was the unclean streets. and rubbish dumps. Expected Lot but ended disappointed. It happens. Thanks for sharing. have a wonderful day.
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (153544)
• India
10 Aug 12
Weather as you know is unpredictable and most of my disappointments as you will see are related to weather. I plan my holidays well and even go through several sites on the Net. I have many disappointments because I have been to many places but my happy experiences there far outweigh my disappointments! . If you choose well India is a travellers' paradise.
1 person likes this