The Fuck-Up Fairy has been on Fire!

So I have just returned from a few weeks away with my BF in Phuket, last time we went I had so many things I wanted to write about but didn't have Internet access frequently or so much as a notebook to write in. This time I went prepared to be able to jot down some tales and memorable moments to share once I was back.....so this is my little travel diary and it started in memorable fashion!

5th June 2010
The day started well, got up, had some coffee, got ready and headed over to mums who was driving us to the airport. We remembered everything we needed; passports-check, tickets- check, snacks for the plane- check, mandatory photo at the airport- check. Lined up for check in, managed to get in line before a group of about 30 golden oldies which was awesome, things were going well. Didn't get the seats we wanted (emergency ones over the wings for my six foot five sweetheart) but hey it was ok.

Went through immigration, security all no dramas, boarded the plane and took off on time....everything going to plan, took off at 10:30am for the 6 hour flight. After a few hours into the flight things started to get interesting, an older lady was at the back of the plane and wasn't feeling too good but the cabin crew were there helping her out and the row in front of us now fondly named 'Baby Boozers' i.e. Baby Boomers heading off on holiday in packs, were behaving worst than a bunch of teenagers drinking at a school disco. But hey, deal able.

Next we heard what no one ever wants to hear on a plane. 'Ladies and Gentlemen this is your Captain Andy speaking, we seem to have a medical situation developing on the plane and if you are a paramedic, nurse or doctor could you please make yourself known to the cabin crew. Thank you'. From that moment on the Fuck Up Fairy was on fire.

We kept travelling along, 2 ladies that were Nurses were at the back helping out the older lady after about 30 minutes we noticed on the flight plan screen on the back of the seat that the plane was no longer heading North to our destination, rather it took a right turn and headed back towards Australia. Soon the Captain announced that due to the 'medical situation' we had turned back to Australian airspace and would be landing in Karratha so that the unwell passenger could receive medical attention, he predicted we would be there in about 45 minutes. After an hour and a bit we were advised that we were not going to be landing in Karratha but instead we would be travelling onto Broome, not because of the medical facilities but rather in case Customs would be required if we had to leave the plane. 2 hours after veering off course we touched down in Broome.

We remained in the plane as the unwell passenger was escorted off the plane by the waiting Ambos, the Captain advised he was waiting further instruction as to the plan as the flight crew were nearing their max flight hours etc. After about an hour and a half we were re-fuelled and taking off to back track 2 hours and then the last 3 hours of the original flight......all up the flight was about 11 hours in total instead of the expected 6.

From here it was downhill, the Baby Boozers were pissed and making their best attempt to clean out ALL of the alcohol on the plane, they were giggling, banging their seats about and every 10 mins or so would go and change seats with some friends further up the plane. The boredom kicked in at the point that the Foxtel dropped out and to add to the mix some delightful stomach pains started. By this time BF and I were at our wits end and the plane could not land soon enough, though massive props to the cabin crew who could have easily decided not to fly over their hours and make us stay in Broome for the night.

Finally we reached Phuket and got through the airport fairly quickly, luckily our transfer was there though they did ask what the heck happened as we were due in 5 hours earlier! After the 'scenic' tour, which wasn't so scenic as it was dark out to our hotel, we finally reached our first stop the Karon Sea Sands Hotel. It was pouring with rain and pitch black outside, which spoiled our plans to get our money exchanged and some supplies before the very early collection for our trip to Phi Phi Island the next day. We gave up on the idea of missioning and collapsed in our room.

The room was sweltering hot (anyone not familiar with Phuket is that it is warm, the average temp whilst we were there was 27-34 degrees and humid) until the air con kicked in about 20 minutes later, by this time BF and I are playing musical chairs on the lavvie.......so romantic I can tell you, and just to make our night, our room is opposite the hotel restaurant where it was Karaoke Night and some tone deaf Germans were doing John Mellancamp a great dis-service and then proceeded to brutalise Queen.

We resolved that today was just one where the Fuck Up Fairy was holding all the cards, dinner was room service and the night was spent with an hour or two of kip and some more musical chairs on the lavvie followed by some necking of Imodium. On the plus side because if you look hard enough there is always one, crispy clean sheets in the bed were awesome as was the fruit basket in the room, oh and that we got here...eventually!