Started our round-the-world trip with a quick flight to Helsinki with Finnair It only lasted 2 and half hours so not really any time to get bored or anything.
The food was rank !! Chicken in a tomato soup type thing and cous cous followed by what looked like a nice donut but turned out to be a flat soda bread that took ages to swallow (bit like eating carrots when you just keep chewing but it goes nowhere).
Had about an hour to wait in Helsinki for the connection and the bags would be transferred onto the next flight to Moscow with Finnair (or so we thought). The food on flight 2 was better, just a little snack but it was edible this time.
Arrived in Moscow at 7.45pm local time and the outside temp was – 9 degrees. We waited at the carousel for our bags but to no avail. Eventually, we went over to the lost baggage desk to ask about our bags. After a bit of a hoo haa and some form filling in we were advised that our bags were still in Helsinki and would be on the next flight tomorrow that lands at 12.05pm.
Not a great start to the trip to say the least seeing as all my winter clothes (apart from the jumper I had on) were in my checked-in bag.
Thankfully the driver was still waiting for us at the airport which at least saved us the hassle of trying to get to the hotel under our own steam. It was pitch black by the time we got to the van and it was freezing. We drove for just short of an hour to the hotel. My first impressions of Moscow so far are that they like their neon signs. It's like Blackpool illuminations driving through the town. When we arrived at the hotel the guy behind the counter seemed to be very friendly so maybe he will be able to help us speak to the airport tomorrow. The only thing is we are supposed to be on an excursion to see Moscow tomorrow but I can’t go without a coat, hat, and gloves or I will freeze to death. Might have to buy something tomorrow so we can do the trip and then claim it back when I get home.
Currently sat in the hotel trying to download Skype so we can talk to the peeps back home. I packed all the important stuff in my backpack so I had all the essentials on me. We both packed a small laptop each (thanks to First Choice for the parting gift), so we can keep in touch with home and we can blog our trip.
Phil is knackered already and wants to go to bed. It’s 11.15pm Moscow time. 8.15pm UK time. Think it will be an early night tonight and then up early to eat as much breakfast as we can cos I’m starving. LOL.
Observation:- Keep a travel plug, some food, and spare underwear in hand baggage for the next flight just in case.
Mood:- Excited to have started the trip but a bit worried about the bag situation.