Sitting at
the departure gate in Doha, we are getting ready for our final flight to Dammam
all ready to hand over control of our young explorers back to their
parents. We’ve had an absolutely
fantastic week, but we’re sure there’s no denying that they are ready to back
in your hands. And that’s just how the
teachers feel!
We did have
a slight panic last night – after we had checked in, we were told by reception
that there were another three groups expected.
Our collective jaws dropped as the first of these arrived – disembarking
from their coach out on the street were our beloved Italians from earlier in
the week. Amazingly, before they were
allowed to enter the hotel, they were subject to an extremely animated
castigation from their tour leader, something he had seemed reluctant to do
earlier in the week. perhaps he too was
sick of their noise. Somewhat
miraculously, they entered the hotel with barely a peep, and we never heard
anything from them again. Likewise, the
next two groups who came in. Hence, an
undisturbed night’s sleep and a very pleasant lie-in this morning until
8.30am. Although of course in their
excitement, most of the children were already up and dressed by the time the
teachers began giving them their wake-up calls.
A final
relaxed breakfast on the roof terrace, with the Parthenon high up in the
distance, and then it was on to the bus for our last journey to the
airport. And that’s where it all started
going a little bit pear shaped. Mr.
Whitaker had given us a heads up when he took his ski group to Italy earlier
this year; as Saudi visas are now paperless, it is extremely difficult for
airline staff to verify the validity of a visa.
Ms. Kinghorn, duly warned, covered that eventuality by asking all
parents to provide print outs of their evisa status. Fine, but for a new visa there are no dates
shown and for an existing visa, there is no confirmation that the 6 month visa
period starts once the visa is first used, not from the date of issue. Luckily there is wireless internet access in
the airport and Mr. Suter had his Kindle, and so we somewhat laboriously had to
recheck about a third of our visas to prove that yes indeed they were still
valid. The fact that the Saudi
authorities had actually let us out of the country in the first place stood for
nothing. Hence, was should have been a
brief efficient check in, following by a visit to the MacDonald’s restaurant at
the airport were scuppered. Thankfully,
we were all checked in so that was the main thing – there was always going to
be food on the plane, even if it wasn’t burgers.
Before the
children left the restaurant last night, they were reminded about not bringing
water and other liquids in their hand luggage.
At breakfast this morning, they were again reminded about not bringing
water and other liquids in their hand luggage.
Before we proceeded through the airport security screening, the children
were again reminded about not bringing through any water. So I suppose the fact that we managed to
limit the number of people who lost water and other gels, lotions and potions
to the x-ray machines to about five was quite successful. Just as well we reminded them really – we
dread to think just how much lighter their bags would have been had we not done
so. John was lucky – he didn’t lose any
liquids, but removing three stale chunks of bread and a pat of butter did
ensure that his back pack was somewhat lighter than when he started.
This is
being typed on the plane, and we’ll try to get it posted up in Doha as we wait
for our final flight back into Dammam. The
children have had a blast, and we hope you enjoy hearing the stories they
regale you with as you drive them home tonight.
All that
remains to do it leave you with our Year 5 Greece Trip Awards for 2014:
Best dry
land swimmer - Megan
Biggest gap
in a smile - Nadine H
Lea – Most
consistent smile
Most likely
to ask for seconds at meal times - Leena
Noisiest
Italian in our group - Federica
Most easily
bribed - Nihal
Hardest to
wake up in the morning - Jamal
Most green
beans eaten - John
Most
impressive nose bleed - Nadine E and Julia
Best early
morning exercise routine coordinator - Talal
Most
irrepressible - Omar
Biggest
screamer - Ridaa
Dancer of
the week - Fayzullah
Best sleeper
- Reyad
Best Gangnam
style dancers on a ferry - Sarah T and Karishma
Most lotion
loser - Sara E
Shopper of
the week - Karl
Pet lover of
the week - Hala
Best human
skimming stone - Hiya
Fashionista
of the week - Zeina
Most
forgetful - Miya
Lotharian of
the week - Elian
Slowest
walkers – Doga and Nada
Most intense
art critic - Aymaan
Best poser
in group photographs – Mr. Piddock
Most food
eaten - Mr. Suter
Loudest
snorer - Ms. Govender
Best tour
organiser – Ms. Kinghorn
