Category Archives: Reviews

Pole Pole at Kilimanjaro Airport

Everyone who climbed mighty Mount Kilimanjaro knows the Swahili expression “Pole Pole” meaning “slowly, slowly”. Apart from a few Diamox tablets and a good fitness level walking slowly up to the 5,895m (19,331 ft) high summit of Africa’s highest mountain is the key for success. Unfortunately the Tanzanians extended that philosophy also to the local airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (IATA: JRO).

But let’s first start with the basics: As you would think, the airport mainly serves travellers as their destination airport for the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is located between the two cities Arusha and Moshi and is also in close proximity of what must be two of Africa’s best wildlife reserves: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. KLM is the only non-African airline with frequent flights from Amsterdam Schiphol.

Alright, now back to the airports relaxed efficiency: I thought we had plenty of time at our hands when we arrived at the airport 3 hours before our scheduled departure back to Amsterdam (read the related article). But with various security checks, a long check-in queue and, worst of all, a stupidly strangely complicated immigration system, we basically just got to the gate right on time for boarding. Another annoyance was that all the shops are located before the last security check. My suggestion therefore is to take it easy (Pole Pole), have a look at the shops, eat something and wait until the queue for the gate dies down. Just make sure you don’t miss your flight!

There are still a few things you can do, so here are my top 3 things to do at Kilimanjaro Airport:

  1. Look at the people boarding your flight and guess who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (hint: watch them walk!)
  2. Make your fellow travel companions happy and buy some Coca-Cola, Snickers, Kitkat, Pringles and Cookies (17.500 Schilling)
  3. Flick through your digital camera’s pictures and smile about the unforgettable moments during your trip

Unfortunately the airport’s duty free shop did not have either Veuve Clicquot or Chanel No. 5 for my usual price rating but then, in my opinion at least, buying expensive French champagne in Africa doesn’t sound right in the first place.

[Picture from Flickr]

Lucky to get stranded in Amsterdam

Surely you heard about the biggest snowfall in England in 18 years on Monday (news stories here and here). Coincidently I traveled that day from Tanzania back to London through Amsterdam. Not surprising that our connecting KLM flight to London Heathrow therefore received a lengthy delay of almost 6 hours (kudos to KLM though who were quick to organize a Boeing 747 bundling several London flights into one). This was time enough to have a really good look at what Amsterdam Schiphol (IATA: AMS) has to offer.

In summary, Schiphol offers a lot. Of course, you find the usual things like Duty Free Shops, Cafés, Burger joints and bars. But Schiphol goes further, a lot further actually: You can find everything from a full Casino in the main terminal, a branch of the famous Rijksmuseum with a drawing from Rembrandt among the display to one of the Yotel chains that offer affordable, modern rooms for as short as 4 hours.

But even if you are just looking for a quick refreshment, Schiphol has it: you will find shower cabins in the toilets in front of the First Aid on the first floor of the main hall, between the airport lounges 41 and 42. There, you also find comfort seats for you to rest from your busy travelling life. And if you need refreshment for your stomach, try the noodle soup (€15) at “Noodles” next to the T5 transfer desks.

Finally, even the usually from airports banned smokers will like the Dutch version as there is a smokers cell room on the first floor next to the airport lounge 42. However, if you are looking for a typical Amsterdam coffee shop you are out of luck unless you book one of the Holland Tours directly from the airport and make it into the city (disclaimer: I am not suggesting anything here! ;-)).

Now to the tricky part, the Top-5: I really had to think about it hard this time as there are so many things you can do – here are my favourite five:

  1. Visit the Rijksmuseum branch and find the Rembrandt drawing
  2. Eat a pot of pork noodle soup at “Noodles”
  3. Buy some Dutch cheese from the Delikatessen shop (alternatively, buy some famous Dutch liquorish)
  4. Count how many Dutch, blond ladies you see that are over 1.90m tall (6’3″) – trust me you need more than one hand to count them!
  5. Try to find Starbucks (remember, the Berlin task?) – it’s not that tricky here, but you may need some time depending on your destination (this is already a hint)…

 

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Amsterdam Schiphol
Website http://www.schiphol.nl
IATA Code AMS
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop €84.50 (£75.10)
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop €32.95 outside the EU (£29.30)

 

Guest blog: Venice Marco Polo Airport

At first sight, getting delayed at Venice airport (IATA: VCE) might seem like a boring misfortune.

You should rethink that.

Yes, Venice Marco Polo Airport is small compared to many other touristic destinations, but what makes it interesting is the possibilities it gives you to do a different kind of shopping.

In fact, you will find a wide selection of Murano Glass, one of the most original presents you can bring home from Italy, together with series of Venetian masks, so typical of the Venetian Carnival for centuries.

If your interest is focused on cars instead, what’s one of the first brands to come to your mind, and one of the first people associate with Italy? Ferrari! There you go, a Ferrari store for you to browse between gadgets, car models, toys and clothes, with items from the toddler (future F1 champion?) to the navigate fan.

Last but not least, Marco Polo airport is a heaven for coffee lovers, with espressos served in several tastes and fashions (chocolate, condensed milk, cream; which make you wonder if you should try them all, defying caffeine and the doctors…).

In a globalised world, which often seems a replication of the same shopping centre over and over again, Venice airport is the ideal place to get delayed at (hopefully not for too long though!) for the range of options of “last minute” gifts that will change an embarrassing empty handed return home into an opportunity to show off originality and taste.

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Venice Marco Polo airport
Website http://www.veniceairport.it
IATA Code VCE
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point

[Picture from the airport’s official website.]

Cartagena airport – gateway to Colombia’s Caribbean coast

Cartagena de Indias, often described as one of South America’s true jewels, certainly is a fascinating city. I have actually never seen so many colourful, colonial houses next to each other. And since Cartagena is the premier weekend destination for rich Colombians and the place of choice for festivals and exhibitions, the city is always packed with people looking for a good time.

And since the easiest way getting from Colombia’s major cities like Bogotá or Medellin is the air, Cartagena has a sizable airport which is even offering some international direct flights. Rafael Núñez International Airport (IATA: CTG) as it is officially called is located only a short taxi drive north of Cartagena’s walled city. It’s not the most exciting airport, but there are (as always) still a few things you can do if you get bored:

  • Enjoy a last Caribbean heat flash in the courtyard before the arrival hall
  • Walk to Kekoriko (on the corner where the taxis get off the main road) and try this ubiquitous fast food chain (I wasn’t that impressed though).

And after security:

  • Buy a last-minute-packet of Juan Valdez coffee
  • Renew your flip flops at the small shop (from 35,000 pesos)
  • Buy refreshments from the small yet surprisingly fully stocked stall in the waiting lounge
  • Check your emails through the free Wifi (connect to “Sacsa”)

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Rafael Núñez International Airport Cartagena de Indias
Website http://www.sacsa.com.co/
IATA Code CTG
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop no duty free Shop
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop no duty free Shop

Miami Airport – Gateway to South America

When you first arrive at Miami International Airport (IATA: MIA) you wouldn’t necessarily think you entered American soil as airport staff mostly speak Spanish and the general crowd looks different from what you would consider “typical” Americans. Of course this is no coincidence since Miami has long been a gateway to South America for the West and a first port of call for South and Central Americans visiting North America. Further more it is no surprise that throughout Miami and its airport you can easily get by without speaking English at all.

America’s third largest airport in terms of International passengers does feel fairly big with its nine different terminals or concourses as they are called here. These alphabetically named areas, A to J, are physically connected, however, once you go through security you can mostly not move between them. My Avianca flight to Bogotá (see related post about Bogotá airport) departed from the J concourse. This is Miami airport’s newest terminal which opened on August 29, 2007 under Miami International Airport’s South Terminal Renovation Project.

Check out these things to do when your flight departs from the H or J concourse (these two are connected):

  1. Get yourself (or treat your girlfriend) a 10 minute manicure for $15 between the H and J concourse
  2. Get another one of these delicious Coronas at “Corona Express” next to gate J4
  3. Change into something warmer at the fairly spacious toilets as the air conditioning is freezing throughout the terminal
  4. Recharge your iPhone at one of the many power stations
  5. Read the poetry written on the floor all along the J gates and accidentally pump into that beautiful, Colombian lady

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Miami International Airport – Concourse J
Website http://www.miami-airport.com
IATA Code MIA
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop $99.00 (£62.30)
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop $38.00 (£23.90)

 

Bogotá Airport mucho gusta?

My recent travel brought me to Colombia’s capital, Bogotá. Even now with improved security and a thriving economy, Colombia is still an adventure, even for the most experienced traveller. On the other hand, the contrast in this fascinating city, 2,640m above sea level, is stark. The south of the city is a very poor area and not safe for tourists while the north is wealthy and houses modern eateries and bars that don’t have to hide from top-notch addresses in other countries.

So how does the airport rate? Basically, the airport is divided into two passenger terminals: El Dorado International, the main terminal for all international flights, built in 1959 and Puente Aéreo Terminal (Air Bridge Terminal, in English), built in 1989 which serves Avianca’s and its subsidiary SAM’s, domestic and regional flights. As I had the pleasure to experience both terminals, here’s what you can do if your flight is delayed:

Regional Terminal
Make sure you don’t go through security until shortly before your flight as after that there is nothing more than a few toilets and a couple vending machines. Therefore the subsequent tips are for the area before security:

  1. Buy some strawberries at “Aerofresas” for 4,000 pesos (they looked a bit unripe but tasted actually really nice)
  2. If you are the sweet type, get some dark Lindt chocolate from “Colosinas”, not far from the strawberries place
  3. And of course, don’t forget to taste another of these wonderful Colombian coffees. I had an Espresso at “Inter-Cafe”, right next to the chocolate place.
  4. Now that you’re well fed you can walk south to the slightly more upmarket part of the terminal and stroll around the stores there
  5. By now your flight should be ready, if not, you probably shouldn’t board it anyway. Just kidding. If you still have time, go to the Orbitel shop on the north side, call your family and tell them about how nice Bogotá was and that there is nothing for them to worry about.

International Terminal “El Dorado”
Again, the better area for spending time is before security. But here you don’t want to leave it to the last minute as you will have to go through the passport control and another security check before getting to your gate. Also, be prepared for a detailed bag search.

  1. After you checked in, go upstairs as all the shops and restaurants are on that floor. If your flight is in the morning, go to “Crepes & Waffles” for a descent breakfast (if not see 2.). Even though I was not very lucky with what I ordered, the food looked really good and the place is an institution throughout Bogotá
  2. If you are still hungry or your flight is later in the day, go to “El Corral”, Colombia’s best burger chain and order a 1/2lb “Corralisima”. You will have to wait about 15 minutes, but, oh boy, this burger is worth the wait – trust me!
  3. Go to one of the music shops and buy that Colombian music you have heard throughout your stay. I bought the CD of Silvestre Dangond with the song “Me gusta, me gusta”.
  4. If you still have time, go through security and buy that delicious coffee from the Juan Valdez store towards the end of the small stalls.

 

The rating below is based on the International Terminal:

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Bogotà El Dorado International
Website http://www.elnuevodorado.com/
IATA Code BOG
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop $99.00 (£57.20)
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop $50.00 (£28.90)

 


[Picture from
Flickr]

Lower Rhineland airport Weeze: worth a visit?

I’m sure you have all seen various types of airports in your lifetime. There are tiny grass or dirt based landing strips that function as airports on remote locations, small huts with paved runways in rural areas, airports that serve as regional hubs and then there are the big and bigger international airports like London Heathrow, JFK and the likes. But there is a new set of airports out there: converted military airfields transformed to regional hubs for low(est) cost airlines. The Lower Rhineland airport Weeze (IATA: NRN) fits into that description.

50 kilometres northwest of Dusseldorf and 30 km southeast of the Dutch town of Nijmegen, Weeze airport used to be the military airbase RAF Laarbruch. According to Wikipedia, the airport serves 6 airlines but its main customer clearly is the Irish run Ryanair with a fairly good selection of flights to various destinations in Europe.

My flight back to London Stansted (IATA: STN) that day was slightly delayed, but other than that operations at the airport were efficient and I passed through the security checks fairly quickly only to discover there was absolutely nothing on the other side. Well, okay, nothing is a strong word. There was a bar and a small kiosk but that was about it (it did find my price checking items though, see below). So, what can you do in such a situation? Here are 3 suggestions:

  1. Find your next destination through the selection of available Lonely Planet guidebooks at the small kiosk (the selection actually was pretty decent!)
  2. Look through the magazine offerings and find the one magazine with the weirdest freebie (in my case it was an inflatable sword added to a children’s magazine called “Benjamin Blümchen”)
  3. Flick through your iPod and find the song of the day (I went for “Hellsongs – Symphony of Destruction” although not because of the lyrics or the title, simply because I like the tunes and it’s funny)

 

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Airport Weeze
Website http://www.airport-weeze.de
IATA Code NRN
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop €87.00 (£68.80)
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop €34.90 (£27.60)

 

[Picture from Flickr]

Viva, Las Vegas Airport!


Las Vegas, the adult playground capital of the world, Sin City, town in the desert where anything is possible, where weddings are held faster than you can lose $50 dollars at Blackjack. So, how would the airport of such a city rate? Watch my review video about McCarran International (IATA: LAS) and see for yourself!

 

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name Las Vegas McCarran International – Terminal 2
Website http://www.mccarran.com/
IATA Code LAS
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
   
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop $104.50 (£58.60)
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop no champagne was available (can you believe it??)

Make good at London Stansted

On Friday I returned to the airport where I had the initial idea for this blog: London Stansted Airport (IATA: STN). Last time I wasn’t very lucky when my Friday evening flight to Copenhagen was delayed by over an hour and on the way back I went through an even bigger pain (see my very first post).

This time my fate changed for the better. On the way out to Düsseldorf Weeze (IATA: NRN) we were only slightly delayed because of some minor baggage and cargo loading problems. Luckily Ryanair was able to make up the delay and we arrived with the usual punctuality fanfare at the Lower Rhine (Niederrhein) airport.

So I guess, I have to admit that Stansted usually is quite a nice airport. It’s certainly not that close from London (it takes 45 minutes from Liverpool Street station) and it costs a staggering £26 return, but once you are there it’s quite pleasant. The terminal is big and roomy, there are lots of good shops (e.g. Reiss) and plenty of eateries and coffee shops. No wonder is Ryanair eying to purchase this airport once it will be split off from the current owner BAA.

But let’s get to the fun part. This time I decided to play a little game: I wanted to find the best and worst looking, women’s perfume flacon at the large duty free store. Here’s my decision:

The Winner: Valentino – Rock ‘n Rose
Valentino Rock 'n Rose

The Loser: Anna Sui – Dolly Girl
Anna Sui - Dolly Girl
Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name London Stansted
Website http://www.stanstedairport.com/
IATA Code STN
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop £57.70
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop £28.25 (incl. ice jacket)

 

[Pictures from Flickr: Stansted (some rights reserved), Valentino, Anna Sui]

London City Airport: Small but efficient

Last week I had the pleasure of taking a flight from London’s smallest commercial airport, London City airport (IATA: LCY). The airport is conveniently located in London’s docklands, east of the financial district and can be accessed easily by Docklands Light Railway (DLR). It is even in London Transport’s zone 3, so it won’t cost you much to get there either.

So what is the catch? There of course is one – as always. The airport is small, has only one runway which is not very long (1319 m) and therefore is restricts to STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) airliners. Its operating license says, aircrafts have to be capable of a 5.5 degree or steeper approach. Plus there is a strict noise regulation in place. Therefore only small planes are predominant, particularly the BAe 146 aircraft which means the number of destinations offered are limited.

So, how does the airport terminal rate? Even though the airport is small, a lot of people are passing through on a daily basis. In 2006 2.3 Million people travelled through the City airport according to Wikipedia. Particularly on week days, the airport is at its full capacity affecting the limited space in the terminal. But its not all bad, they have recently increased seating space and anyway, with low delay rates, you can expect to be in and out of the terminal faster than you can say “delay”. In the rare occasion where you do get delayed, here are my Top-X-Things to do:

  1. Check out the 2 big bars and mingle with the business men who enjoy their evening beer
  2. Sit at the north side of the terminal and count the number of BAe 146 aircrafts taking off
  3. Guess the nationalities of the business men and women rushing to the gates
  4. Find the biggest TV screen to watch the Olympics coverage
  5. Count the number of destinations you can fly to from the departure screens

Airport Facts and Ratings

Airport Name London City Airport
Website http://www.londoncityairport.com/
IATA Code LCY
Design LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Shopping LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Toilets LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point
Overall LateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award PointLateDeparture.com Plane Award Point (Because of its convenient location)

Chanel No 5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml at the Duty Free Shop

£58.40
Bottle of Veuve Cliquot at the Duty Free Shop £49.99 (cellar box vintage 2002)

[Picture from Flickrsome rights reserved]