Comments on: Singapore Airlines Lost Luggage Nightmare

By: CB Driver

CB Driver — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:46:28 +0000

Hi, Tiwi. Thanks for sharing your experience and your ideas re: compensation. It’s a shame what happened to your friend. Anyway, I am enjoying it here in your wonderful country. I’m very happy to be visiting!!

By: CB Driver

CB Driver — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:44:13 +0000

Actually, it was technically one day of flying–22 hours–and I took that into account. Anyway, who’s counting at this point? It’s over and done with and I’ve moved on. The airline will be contacting me soon, per the representative in Pekanbaru, and I think we’ll work something out that’s fair.

The bottom line: I’m loving it here…the people are warm/wonderful and the countryside is gorgeous. All is good again!

By: CB Driver

CB Driver — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:41:34 +0000

Hey, Dyanne! Yes, it is pretty heavenly here. It’s so lovely–the nature–and the people, too. They’ve been so kind to me, I’m blown away.

Yes, it’s a really sweet name–Payakumbuh! I think the final syllable is pronounced “oo,” believe it or not. The “uh” really looks as if it would sound the same.

Thanks for the info re: Lake Toba. Sounds great–and I’m definitely heading up there. Thanks for the tip re: somewhere to stay! I like the idea of practicing in a field; good idea. I have yet to try it. I may do it here, but only in the village. Definitely not on the main road or in what they call the “town,” which to me, seems like a small city.

And yes, will try to see the orangs…thanks!

By: CB Driver

CB Driver — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:36:53 +0000

Hey, Naomi. I’m loving it! Teaching/doing training for teachers here has been wonderful. The people are so nice and appreciative, I feel lucky to have stumbled on to this opportunity. And Eti, the teacher I’m staying with, is such a sweetheart. I really feel like I’m part of her family.

The icky airline thing is all about the airline and not about here…so all’s good!

Thanks again for all the great advice, etc!

By: Naomi

Naomi — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:25:04 +0000

so glad you are enjoying Indonesia, I read this post and had a sinking feeling you were going to hate it, or let the experience sour it. Jet lag and losing your luggage is such a shit combination hey? good on you for not letting the bad karma win!

By: Dyanne@TravelnLass

Dyanne@TravelnLass — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:22:05 +0000

Glad to hear you’re feeling better, Lisa. And from that pic (the one of those luscious rice fields in Payakumbuh, NOT the stupid airplane that shall remain unnamed) – it looks like you’re purely in serenity HEAVEN! That and…

I must say, I just LOVE that name “Payakumbuh”. Paya-koomba, paya-koomba – such a fun sounding name, makes ya wanna beat a drum and do a little jig, no?

But seriously. I’m sure the rest of your trip will be chock full of fascinating adventures and lots of fond memories. Do try to get to Lake Toba. I stayed at Samosir Villa Resort (utterly posh, for just $15/night!) in the village of Tuk Tuk on Samosir Island. Ask for “Gaol” the manager. He’s a dear (took me on his motorbike to an empty field to practice driving it on my own for the first time!) That and…

You simply MUST go to Bukit Lawang to see the orangutans!

By: Dustin Main - Skinny Backpacker

Dustin Main - Skinny Backpacker — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:17:15 +0000

I understand your point, but admittedly two of those days you were flying with them.

I don’t like it when my luggage is lost either. (4 times in the past 4 years)

Glad you’re back on the good streak. Enjoy Indonesia!

By: tiwi

tiwi — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:34:49 +0000

Hey, I feel shocked of what happened with you. SA should give you at least a free flight to your home! Because they even don’t give confirmation regarding your bag lost. I never put my bag on baggage since a friend of mine lost his camera when we’re flying with local airlines in indonesia. We went to jakarta from Tarakan (Kalimantan). Transit in balikpapan. When we arrived at Balikpapan, our bag in baggage automatically also will move to the other plane which will bring us to jakarta, without confirmation (it’s what the local airlines said). My friend put the camera on the backpack. Unfortunately it’s not locked. And when we arrived at Jakarta, the camera is gone. When we confirmed to (lost and found) they can’t help us, because he didn’t include insurance to the flight. He just give his identity and phone number in case the camera found someday. And it never happens. Well, I just feel upset that even it’s under the airlines and airport officer responsibility to secure our luggage, but they can’t guarantee that. Warning, many bad people in airport. Especially if the luggage move automatically when we transit. They always have chance to open our bag.

I hope at the end you enjoy staying in Indonesia by the way. We have a beautiful island and beach!

Cheers,

Tiwi

By: CB Driver

CB Driver — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 07:43:14 +0000

Thanks so much, Erik, for understanding. It was a nightmare. My only thought when they told me they lost the bags for the second time–and had no idea where they were–was that I’d be without mosquito repellant in this village. That scared me because I wasn’t sure about some of the diseases here and wanted to be protected. Of course, you can’t carry on more than a couple of ounces and so, I couldn’t bring those supplies on board.

Anyway, the trip is getting better–fortunately. Thanks again!

By: CB Driver

CB Driver — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 07:41:23 +0000

Thanks, Jeremy. You’re absolutely right. That’s the most important thing of all!