Provence, Canal du Midi and More

[Jacques Vert]

 

[Jacques Vert]

We then walked to the Trevi; I have to say it looks a lot better without the scaffolding it had two years ago - simply stunning....

 

[Jacques Vert]

We passed by the Pantheon, a former Roman temple dating from around 126AD and subsequently used as a church until this day. It is one of the world's best preserved Roman buildings, a fact I find quite astounding given the number of earthquakes that must have shaken Italy over the past 2,000 years.




The dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. An interesting feature is the open hole in the centre of the dome through which rain enters the building...




and the slots cut into the stone floor through which the water drains away.




It is truly a magnificent building.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Having completed what we wanted to see earlier than expected, and with the weather taking a turn for the worse, we headed back to the airport Hilton, collected our bags and headed for the lounge to wait for QR132 to DOH:







There was also a wine list, of course.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Arriving in Doha shortly after midnight and not flying out until 0850, we headed to the Al Mourjan lounge and asked about a sleeping room. We were told they didn't have one but did have a "quiet area" we could use. It seemed quite adequate to us and we settled down for a few hours.






The only issue here is the inadequate number of showers for the morning rush. This was my second time in this lounge and it is very nice. However on both occasions (both mornings), there has been a wait of almost two hours to get a shower despite there being two shower areas. Put your name down as soon as you get there.

 

[Jacques Vert]

So from DOH we boarded QR1359 to JNB and this is where I will end the TR on this part of our classic award odyssey.

The TR on our African travels begins here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....er-and-southern-africa-79169.html#post1537052

I trust that members of the community have enjoyed this report and that some of the information is valuable to you in your future travels.

And thanks again to the community for the information we have gained over the years; it is only thanks to what we have learned on this site that we are able to travel in a manner to which we are becoming accustomed.

 

[Major]

I certainly enjoyed this part of the TR. It was very comprehensive, many thanks.

 

[viccam]

What ! a menu with no RED !!! Errrrrr

 

[Jacques Vert]

What ! a menu with no RED !!! Errrrrr

There was certainly red on the wine list but I was too busy working my way through it to remember to take a photo of the list!

JV

 

[viccam]

thanks, I feel better now.
Great trip report and pics.

 

[Fifa]

Thanks so much for taking us on your trip Jacques Vert.
I enjoyed every minute of it, loved seeing places if have already been to and adding others I now want to visit.

Now looking forward to the African adventure.

 

[Jacques Vert]

thanks, I feel better now.
Great trip report and pics.

You're welcome.

Of course, thanks to Gem56 for the photos.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks so much for taking us on your trip Jacques Vert.
I enjoyed every minute of it, loved seeing places if have already been to and adding others I now want to visit.

Now looking forward to the African adventure.

You're welcome; looking forward to the discussions in Perth.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Yes indeed.

Firstly, there is the issue of compensation for our cancelled flight. Under EU regulations we are entitled to EUR 600 (each) for a cancelled flight over 3,500km or EUR250 for a cancelled flight within the EU of 1,500km or less, unless it is as a result of extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather.

I am sure that BA will argue that the cancelled flight (being the second one) was less than 1,500 and that it was because of extraordinary circumstances (the air traffic controllers' strike). I will be arguing that there were plenty of flights that went to France that day (including the one they moved us onto) and that the decision to maintain the original schedule, delay or cancel the flight was entirely within BA's control. That is, assuming I ever get a response from BA! We have lodged our complaint and apart from an automatic email response stating how much they care and how busy they are: nothing!

Secondly, our lost bags: we took the hotel shuttle back to the airport the following morning to pick up a prearranged hire car. While we were there we checked with the lost luggage counter: BA have no idea where our bags are! We do, our Trakdots are telling us they are at LHR and haven't moved since arriving from PEK. So we head off in our FIAT 500 to Arles (more on this later).

That evening we check the BA site with our reference number and note they are still looking for our bags. We decide to make a couple of phone calls however the BA customer service number in the UK has a recorded message saying they are only open Monday to Friday 9 to 5. Unbelievable. One of the world's largest airlines, who keep ensuring us how much they care about their customers, doesn't answer their phone outside business hours.

We find a french number for BA which seems to operate on much longer hours, they tell us to ring Air France and quote the Montreal Convention (that it is the operator of the last flight that has to chase the bags). Yes Ms BA, but the claim is showing on your website. "Ring AF!" So I ring AF who were far less rude than the BA lady, they tell us BA can't find our bags. "Pardon"

Finally, three days after leaving LHR we are reunited with our bags. Mine has been left out in the rain at some point and the bag is still wet, as are my clothes and some paperwork in the top quarter of my bag. Still not happy!

Throughout this ordeal, and despite how much BA care about their customers, not one communication from BA: no phone call, no email, nothing. The only communication we received during the three days was from the AF Lost Luggage counter in MRS to say that our bags had arrived at the airport and were being forwarded to us, and from the french courier who rang the hotel to advise he would be dropping off some bags and to check we were still there.

So we have lodged a claim with BA for compensation for our bags as well, no response so far except for another automatic email telling us how much they care and how busy they are.

Compare that to Columbus Direct who we have our travel insurance with. I sent an email advising of the situation and to warn that we may have a claim. They telephoned first thing next morning (not realizing we were still in France). I awoke to a missed call on my phone and two emails from them advising the process to be followed (claim on airline first). They also attached a claim form and requested details of the flight numbers so they could notify BA that they would be seeking reimbursement of anything that CD paid to us.

So an update on the cancelled flight and lost bags:

MANY weeks after the fiasco, we finally got an email from BA claiming extraordinary circumstances (the air traffic controllers stike) and no compensation would be given. No mention or apology for the delayed bags.

So I responded giving them a blast about how little they care. A few more weeks went by and I received a more comprehensive email offering their apologies and nothing else.

Upon arriving home in AUS we contacted Air France who stated they had sent us an email about the bags but we had not replied. We advised that the email had not been received so they forwarded a copy. We provided receipts as requested and within 36 hours receive an email stating that all costs will be reimbursed and we (eventually) see the funds appear in our account.

Full marks to Air France who had never received the bags from BA but were faultless in their efforts to help us find them and recover our costs; F minus to BA who never gave a s**t.

Fast forward to yesterday; 3 months after the incident and 2 months after my last email to BA, I receive an email from BA customer care apologizing for the delay in replying, stating that I presumably did not receive their last email, and attaching a copy of the one to which I last replied. No offer of compensation, not even a few Avios points.

Hopeless, bloody hopeless.

 

[drron]

Living up to their reputation.
They lost our bags flying from EWR to Orly.
Couldn't have given a damn.
The concierge from Marriott Amsterdam found them in the unclaimed baggage at Schipol.BA wouldn't even deliver them from there so we had to detour via Schipol to collect ourselves.
I fully agree with your assessment of BA.