Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

Life's too short to play it safe

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Freeways to Flip-Flops
    • My Gutsy Story® Anthology
  • Media
    • Press Kit +Videos
    • Print Media
    • Awards-Reviews-Testimonials
    • Sonia’s Blog Tour
  • About Sonia
  • Contact
We Travel With A Purpose

Which is your favorite airport terminal?

December 20, 2012 by Sonia Marsh 12 Comments

0
SHARES
ShareTweetGooglePinterestLinkedinMail
Heathrow Airport , LondonTerminal 5
Heathrow Airport , London
Terminal 5

I love to travel, and have a passion for airports.  The thrill of seeing people from all over the world converging into one place, and wondering where they live, and what their life is like, fascinates me.

My father instilled a passion for travel and planes within me at a young age. I remember when I was four, our pilot missed the runway and ended up in a ditch. This is what happened according to my dad.

We were flying to Kano on a Dakota DC 3 of Nigerian Airways. Soon after taking off a pipe blew up and the brake fluid it contained rushed into the passenger cabin. The Captain had no option but to try and return to Ikeja airport which was dangerous because the fuel tanks were full of gasoline. He also had difficulty directing the plane because he could not operate the flaps. The only way he could control the plane was to rev up one engine after the other so that he was facing the runway. But when he touched down he could not operate the brakes and we ended up in a ditch at the end of the runway. All passengers applauded except you who said, “Do it again”.

My father succeeded in turning my fear into a thrill, as though the pilot had done this intentionally for me.

Dakota-DC-3
Dakota-DC-3

It was a propeller plane similar to this one with 24 passengers on board.

Photo Credit Airspotting.com

Since my dad laughed and made funny wing-flapping gestures whenever we hit severe turbulence, I learned to focus on the butterflies in my tummy rather than fear.

During my recent trip from Los Angeles to Paris and London, I had the chance to spend several hours in each airport terminal. If I had to pick one terminal to spend an entire day in, it would be London’s Heathrow Terminal 5, the international terminal. (See photo above.)

I discovered that chef Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant inside the terminal and offers what he calls, “plane food picnic.” You have a choice of the “healthy heights picnic” or the “regular picnic.” People can call in their order ahead of time, and pick it up at the airport.

Gordon Ramsay Plane Food
Gordon Ramsay Plane Food

 Photo Credit

Here’s the blurb for his picnic plane food.

“In a rush and have no time to take a seat? A Plane Food Picnic is the perfect solution. Pick up a delicious take away Gordon Ramsay picnic with everything you need in on small carry on bag and enjoy on board at your leisure.”

You can order a 3 course picnic. Here’s the menu, and this would be my selection:

Starter: Prawn and baby gem cocktail

Main Course: Smoked Scottish salmon with an apple,
celery and walnut salad

Dessert:English cheese selection with quince and berries (yes, I prefer cheese.)

The price for 3 courses £12.95 or $21.00 U.S.

I’ve never seen so many stores in one airport terminal. From Harrod’s to Gucci to Bulgari to WHSmith, to HMV, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, Tom Bradley terminal at LAX, is sorely missing in stores, restaurants and good coffee shops for passengers. It’s quite depressing in comparison to Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle.

After some window shopping at Harrod’s, I decided to buy a Christmas pudding and a jar of brandy butter to bring back  childhood memories and share them with my family in California. I remember steaming the pudding, but now you can microwave it; far easier.

As far as book stores, London has the best selection. There are several WHSmith stores in the terminal, and I’m happy to say people are still purchasing books like crazy at Heathrow airport.

I boarded my British Airways flight from London to Paris, CDG (Charles de Gaulle) airport, where I had four more hours to look at stores before my flight to Los Angeles. CDG’s international terminal 2A, has some fancy perfume and liquor stores. What I find unusual, is the location of the cash registers. You have to look hard to find a place to pay for your items.

Do you like to spend time at airports? If so which is your favorite one?

 

DECEMBER IS DIFFERENT.

I am back in California after a book signing in Paris and a visit to London.

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story” for 2013.  NOW is the time to submit your own “My Gutsy Story” and get published in our Anthology. Please contact sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

To submit your own, “My Gutsy Story” you can find all the information and our sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Travel & Adventure

Comments

  1. Janette says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    So many terminals—so little time.
    I love the Mexican food in terminal 2 in Phoenix,
    The dinosaur and museum shop in Chicago O’Hare,
    Clam chowder in sour dough in SanFrancisco,
    American political shop in Baltimore,
    and the dog door in Riyadh.
    My father introduced me to scary but great flying when we flew through an electrical storm when I was six. Our plane was hit twice. Now THAT is a jolt. He just sang a little song and then told me that it was great fun. I don’t even know where the trip went to—but I have been hooked ever since.
    49 states and 22 countries….I have flown in just about everything with wings.
    It must have been passed down–my son flies helicopters :>)

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      December 22, 2012 at 11:44 am

      Wow, you have traveled all over Janette. After reading your response, I realize that I love the “international” atmosphere in Terminal 5, more than anything. Meeting people from all over the world in one place.

      Reply
  2. Shane Todd says

    December 21, 2012 at 3:07 am

    Singapore Changi is probably my best airport, swimming pool, cinema and free internet all over!! Close 2nd is Dubai.

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      December 22, 2012 at 11:45 am

      Shane,

      That sounds fascinating. Something I have not experienced. Can anyone use it, or just business and first class?

      Reply
  3. Bob Lowry says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:13 am

    Kahului airport because it means I’m on Maui. Steeping off a plane from the mainland you are instantly on island time. Everyone moves slower, the flower smells are stronger, and the winds brisker.
    Bob Lowry recently posted..Real Retirement: An Inside GlimpseMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      December 22, 2012 at 11:45 am

      Amazing how airports mean different things to each one of us.

      Reply
  4. MuMuGB says

    December 24, 2012 at 9:03 am

    I love airports and stations because, usually, that’s where our journeys are starting. That said, Heathrow is usually a nightmare because flights are always late!
    MuMuGB recently posted..Are French And English Any Different? Let’s Go To the Bottom Of This!My Profile

    Reply
  5. Sonia Marsh says

    December 25, 2012 at 7:56 am

    Muriel,

    I guess I’ve been lucky to have my once or twice a year flights from Heathrow, take off and land on time. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  6. my many bags blogspot says

    May 20, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
    my many bags blogspot recently posted..my many bags blogspotMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Carolyn says

    October 26, 2013 at 9:42 am

    I think the admin of this web page is truly working
    hard in favor of his web page, for the reason that here every
    material is quality based material.
    Carolyn recently posted..CarolynMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Minnie says

    November 4, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    Wow, this article is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing
    such things, so I am going to inform her.
    Minnie recently posted..MinnieMy Profile

    Reply
  9. horoscope says

    December 1, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    Hi, I check your blogs on a regular basis. Your humoristic
    style is witty, keep it up!
    horoscope recently posted..horoscopeMy Profile

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates

Come on over to see my new blog: We Travel With A Purpose

Welcome!

Welcome!

Click the cover to buy on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • After Lockdown: My New Adventure In England
  • How I Cope During Lockdown
  • My way of staying positive during these difficult times?

Archives

  • ►2021 (1)
    • ►April (1)
  • ►2020 (3)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►April (1)
  • ►2018 (10)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (2)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (1)
  • ►2017 (9)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (1)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (1)
  • ►2016 (40)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (4)
    • ►October (5)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (4)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (4)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (1)
    • ►January (4)
  • ►2015 (60)
    • ►December (3)
    • ►November (3)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (6)
    • ►July (5)
    • ►June (5)
    • ►May (3)
    • ►April (5)
    • ►March (8)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (7)
  • ►2014 (105)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (8)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2013 (104)
    • ►December (9)
    • ►November (9)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (9)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (9)
    • ►March (8)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (9)
  • ►2012 (112)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (10)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (8)
    • ►August (10)
    • ►July (9)
    • ►June (8)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (10)
    • ►March (10)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (11)
  • ►2011 (105)
    • ►December (10)
    • ►November (8)
    • ►October (9)
    • ►September (9)
    • ►August (8)
    • ►July (8)
    • ►June (10)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (8)
    • ►March (9)
    • ►February (8)
    • ►January (9)

Also Available At:

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates with Holden Safaris.
Travel with me to Africa as I share my life-changing experiences.

Latest from the Blog

  • After Lockdown: My New Adventure In England
  • How I Cope During Lockdown
  • My way of staying positive during these difficult times?
  • How to Keep Your Mind Off the Coronavirus
  • Follow Me to Dubai on My New Travel Website

Copyright © 2017 — Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living • All rights reserved.
Site customised by Peace of Africa Designs