My flight for Bali departs at 7:30am so I’m up early and the young man at the hotel checkout orders me a bike. I’ve got plenty of time but it doesn’t stop my driver racing the Manado streets at speed. At this time of the day the streets are reasonably quiet so perhaps he’s using the opportunity to spirit around the streets like they do in the movies. I’m holding onto the bike with one hand and my bag with the other. By the time we get to the airport I’m exhausted. The airport is about 20km from the city.
On the news last night I heard of another plane crash involving the brand new Boeing 737-8MAX, this time with Ethiopia Airlines. Sound similar to the Lion Air crash about a month ago – plane takes off and within an hour of flight reports problems and tries to return. Then crash. Again there were no survivors. What are the chances of this happening twice within a month to the same new aircraft. I flew here on a Boeing 737-8MAX so I suspect I will be flying back to Bali on one too. But won’t they ground them. I hope so. I get through the airport and to my gate to see through the glass the villain in position and waiting. My heart sank. What do you do. On the flight here there were only 25 passengers on a plane that seats 180. Then I though perhaps the type of plane was scaring people off. But this flight is nearly full.
I arrive safely and aim to go straight to Ubud. I try to get a bus but there is no bus service to Ubud. I suspect the taxi industry might be responsible. I have no choice but to take a car. I’m feeling tired and weak. I get to Ubud around mid day then straight to bed. No lunch or dinner, then into a night of misery…
angusmccoll 