Where to begin this story. Our plan this year was to spend two weeks in Newfoundland with Dave, Cathy, Michael and Liam. We have done quite a few trips with them and we always have a great time. We had the trip laid out and we were waiting for Flair Airlines to release their flight schedule to Newfoundland. The best part was that we were going to be able to fly there from Kitchener.
Once the flights were announced, we thought we should just double check the rental cars and hotels. This is where the problem started. There were no rental cars available anywhere on the island. There was no point looking at hotels since we had no transportation. Now we had to come up with a backup trip.
After much brainstorming, research and planning, we came up with a driving trip through California that starts in Las Vegas. I don’t want to give too much away, you will just have to stay tuned.
Our Air Canada flight (10,000 Aeroplan points + $68.51 CAD for taxes, fees and charges / person) was not leaving until 8:30pm, so it was nice to spend the better part of the day just relaxing. At around 2:00pm, Karen came over with Maui. He is going to be having his own vacation with Nana and Maddie for the next two weeks. We said our goodbyes and made our way to Pearson International Airport.
The plan was for me to drop Karen off at the airport and take her car to her brother Ross and sister-in-law Susie’s house. They only live about ten minutes away from the airport. Karen then was to meet Dave, Cathy and the boys and take their car to Ross and Susie’s. The plan was executed flawlessly. We even got to have a short visit before Ross was kind enough to drive Karen and I back to the airport.
I know that we have been hearing in the news about the long lines at the airport. Well I can say that for us, this was a non issue. It took us approximately thirty minutes to get our bags dropped off, go through security and US Customs (thank you NEXUS cards) before we meet the gang at the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge.
We spent the next two hours enjoying all of the fine food and drinks that the lounge as to offer. They even have a service where you can order hot food and have it delivered directly to your table. What a concept. 7:30pm came by quickly and so we headed downstairs to our gate.
While we were waiting at the gate, Cathy looks up and sees a guy in line and jokingly says doesn’t that look like Pauly D from Jersey Shore. I laugh and take a look and I was pretty sure it was him. The hair gave it away. We asked Liam to go over and ask if it was him and if we could get a picture. So Liam goes over, talks to him, shakes his hand and then motions for us to come over. Pauly D was very nice to us and he smelled good too. Our first celebrity sighting of the trip.
After a forty minute delay, we were finally able to board the plane. The flight seemed much longer than the four hours and forty-five minutes, not sure why that was. We managed to pass the time with reading, eating, watching movies and napping.
We landed just before 11pm and then things got bad. It took us one hour to get our bags and then another hour to pick up our rental car (2022 Volkswagen Passat, rented through Costco, $782.59 USD, 1777 miles driven) from Budget. I have to say, that was the absolute worst car rental experience we have ever had. Luckily, the Hampton Inn Las Vegas Strip South ($300.13 USD including taxes) was only four minutes away. Now it’s off to get some sleep.
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