V-Flyer

This is a bit of a long one, but bear with me as some of you will probably find it interesting. If you just want to read about the flight part, skip to the bottom.


Trip Part

Sorry guys, have to take the summary of the non flight part down. But there will likely be a story about my trip in one of the nationals in the next week or two, so I'll keep you posted!

Flight Part

On Monday morning we made our way to the airport yet again. I tried to reason with GF one last time, before giving up and buying a one way walk up fare on Egyptair to LHR for a flight departing in just over an hour. (£225) Again, it was the usual sprint though check in, security and a very quick stop in duty free. We made it to the gate just as boarding began, made our way onto the plane, a 777-200. There was no IFE, but I was so tired I didn't really care. We departed about 30-40 minutes late but were expected to make up time in the air. To be honest, I was so tired I don't even remember what meal was served, but it was beef, and was an average airline meal.

We arrived in the London area right on schedule, but then did the usual few laps around the countryside before landing 15 minutes late.

Immigration was quick, but I got interviewed by the police because of where I had been. It was just an informal interview, they really just wanted to know what it was like and what I saw. I passed on my contact details and then picked up my bag, which was waiting for me. I said bye to my friend and met my editor, who kindly picked me up at Terminal 3. After a 40 minute drive or so, I was back home, where I said hi to a few friends, ate some food, and went to bed.

This is a little bit of a condensed version of what happened, but if anyone has any questions, feel free to post below or send me a message. Also, if you would like to hear about my trip to Bahrain, which I didn't really write about in my previous trip report, just say so below and I'll write one up. It was almost as crazy as my Libya trip. Many of you probably saw my photographs from Libya and Bahrain in the papers, and if you guess correctly I'll tell you which ones they are. Hint: check papers on 25/02/11. And for those of you wondering what my next destination is, it is probably Yemen, Somalia, Algeria, Eritrea, or Sudan....

What an interesting and different TR.

A really compelling read into the 'behind the scenes' action that brings us those pictures in the morning Metro to work! You guys really do seem to risk your lives to bring us a story.

I am guessing that you have a whole raft of equipment but now just one camera and iphone charger down now that some Libyan army sergeant has his hands on them!

Thanks willd! There were a few times when I was quite a bit worried. Not to mention when I got shot at in Bahrain on the 18th! More on that though if you guys want me to write it up...just ask.

Actually everything was taken. Two camera bodies, three lenses, a flash, Macbook Pro, extra batteries, etc. Too much to list here. They even took the bags themselves! (Roughly £15,000 worth of gear in all). My insurance company said they'll cover it, but I'll believe it when I get the cheque in the post.

Would love to read about your time in BAH, thanks for extremely interesting reports from places a lot of us have been to but not in such dangerous times.Keep safe where ever you end up next.

Wow, what an interesting TR!, thank you for taking the time to post it.

Fascinating to read first hand accounts of what we see on TV, an amazing trip and one which I wish I had been on too.

Thanks for posting, really interesting to hear the non flight element as much as the flight detail itself!

Hope the insurers send you a chq soon!

Luke

Thanks everyone! I'll be editing my BAH-CAI trip report soon to include all the non flight details. I'll post here again once it is up!

Mike

Well!!! You're a brave man covering such events, I guess the watch word has to be "unpredictable". I can well imagine that with all apparent law and order breaking down, it's look after #1.

I, personally, would be fascinated to read more....

Sorry guys, been very busy since I got back but the Bahrain part will be up soon!

And an insurance update: my insurance company is giving my excuses about not paying due to a war zone clause, but there is nothing in the fine print about that! Unfortunately, that means I might have to take them to court...