as title, never been on a plane before, and im going to canada in 3 weeks.
im 43.
im pretty excited, never been abroad before, havent even seen all of the uk yet.
we (mrsmac and i) are going to ottawa, for 10 days.
plans include: take in an NHL game,
try snowshoeing,
try a snowmobile,
skate on the worlds largest ice rink.(rideau canal)
has anyone else been?
can anyone recommend a nice restaurant so i can treat my wife one evening?
weve been married 4 and a half years, but this is our honeymoon.
and we may get pissed too, on an evening . . . .
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so, ive never been on a plane before . . . . .
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Posted 4 months ago #
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my wife and two kids had never flown before we went to Barcelona last Easter. My son hated taking off, my daughter hated landing and my wife hated all of it. Such fun!
no advice other than make sure you have something to read and something to listen to when at the airport and on the plane.
Posted 4 months ago # -
43 years on these shores, thats impressive. I once worked with a bloke who had never left the town he was born in (Colne Lanc)
Posted 4 months ago # -
A mate's mum was in her sixties I think, before she ever went abroad.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Agree with taking a book(s). Your ears will pop as you change pressures, keep swallowing to help them.
I always found flying fun, specially if you can see out the windows. I flew back in November and could see fireworks* as I landed.
*Nope, not a voyeur
Posted 4 months ago # -
ive been up and down the country (bus driver)but never had the real desire to go abroad until recently. (or, tbh the money either)
however, i now feel i want to go and see places while im still young enough to enjoy them.
got an ipod for the plane journey, and its 2 flights, so if i really dont enjoy the 1st bit down to heathrow i can have a wee drink and i will probly fall asleep on the 7h 45m bit to ottawa.Posted 4 months ago # -
I could see how a takeoff might be a bit unsettling for someone who's never been on a plane before. I love that bit though - try and enjoy it
Posted 4 months ago # -
My first ever flight (aged 18) was Manchester to JFK.
It was horrible. I was on board a really old and scruffy tri-star run by the now defunct American Trans Air. And I got to sit next to the most nervous / crying person in the world. It was a long 8 hours I can tell you!
I still don't like flying. I need a bottle of wine to take the edge off it. I often carry a drowsiness causing anti-histamine in case I get in a sweaty / panicky state. I'd recommend something to listen to just to drown out the engine noise and other mechanical noises.
Posted 4 months ago # -
what's the worst that could happen...
Posted 4 months ago # -
lol @idave.
well, i can get my head right down between my knees no problem . . . .Posted 4 months ago # -
what's the worst that could happen...
this bloke in the next seat
Posted 4 months ago # -
take ear plugs for all the family - to drownout the noise of the plane if not to drown out the noise of the crying babies
Posted 4 months ago # -
Save drinking until you land!!
Enjoy and have a good hols.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I work for a company with a presence in Ottawa - been about 20 times. It's a really manageable city on foot if you're staying in the centre.
Byward Market is the place to go for restaurants - something ridiculous like >100 in a small area, so lots of choice. Went here when I was last in Ottawa in August, and if you like a small plates type of restaurant, this could be ideal.
Small Plates RestaurantThe Rideau Canal skating is great - stop for hot chocolate and beavertails (pastry, not real beavers) at the booths on the ice. Hopefully it will be open by then.
Let me know if you need anything else - e-mail in profile.
Paul
Posted 4 months ago # -
I also hate flying and get close to panic attacks especially take off and landing. Take books and magazines, ipods/ipads etc. As your going international get pissed!
nothing really to worry about they are designed to be in the air, my mums friend who works for airbus has some impressive stats about their planes!
Posted 4 months ago # -
Just remember that when they give the advice of what you can and can't carry in hand luggage, it's to be obeyed. Also get to the airport early.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I hate flying. To be honest it scares the shit out of me. Turbulence is the worst bit for me. It makes me literally sweat and shake with terror.
That said, I've flown so much that I'm used to it. I prepare myself. I stay totally sober. I have sweets to suck for takeoff and landing and I prefer to be able to see out of the window, as I have no fear of heights and I like to see where I am (like reading a map) and where I'm going. Banking and turning is no bother at all oddly. It has to be said I felt a lot better when I found out what these planes are capable of: Basically passenger airliners spend their entire time ticking over gently.
I want to go to places. So I have to put up with it!
Posted 4 months ago # -
Remember to pedal hard for take-off and cover the brakes during landing just in case.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Lift your feet off the floor during take off and landing to reduce the vibrations and unplesentness. Works for nervous flyers that I know.
Posted 4 months ago # -
take in an NHL game
Dull, IMHO.
try a snowmobile,
Less dull
Posted 4 months ago # -
Have a great time you old romantic!
Posted 4 months ago # -
I like flying though the novelty has worn off slightly now. It is for the most part quite boring and pretty pedestrian but I always like getting a window seat and find that I am craning my neck to look out more than the 5 and 6 year olds sat near me.
Canada is quite a long one of course so just make sure you've got plenty to occupy yourself. Sounds like it'll be ace fun though, would love to go over sometime.
Posted 4 months ago # -
yeah, fancy the snowmobile thing quite a bit tbh,
both of us used to play ice hockey, so its not dull for us, but i see where your coming from if its not your thing.
when i say im excited, i actually mean im super excited!!!!
@cheshirecat, thanks for the offer of help, we are staying downtown, 1 block from the canal, so thats just the type of thing we are looking for.Posted 4 months ago # -
i find the more i do it the more i get comfortable with it i started my with my first flight as going to new zealand as part of a prize - didnt even have a passport at the time
im not scared or nervous at thought of flying - what gets me is the shear uncomfortableness of it all and crap food giving me a dodgy stomach - im a tall chap and in cattle class it just isnt comfy.
over the last 5 years or so ive taken about 40 odd flights mostly for work and im now able to fall asleep quite comfortably on them as ive worked out what to take - where to put stuff to access it easy and what i can eat and drink without feeling sick.
choppers still scare the shit out of me and i use them quite a bit recently !
Posted 4 months ago # -
For a number of years, I'd flown in planes but never landed in one.
Posted 4 months ago # -
very sensible cougar - it's returning to earth that's fraught with problems.
Posted 4 months ago # -
My advice for newbie flyers would be: don't be tempted to take loads of hand luggage to save on hold luggage, it's a real PITA. Keep it minimal. The only stuff I take that I won't need on a plane is spare contact lenses and pants in case my luggage gets lost.
Posted 4 months ago # -
It's fine as long as the treadmill is working on takeoff.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Flying long distance is dull, dull, dull. A window seat helps, especially if it's a nice day when you pass Greenland
If you haven't booked/been allocated seats yet, get on seatguru and see what you can find+1 for SeatGuru. Indispensable.
Also, a flat bed really helps on long haul flights!
Posted 4 months ago # -
Just remember that when they give the advice of what you can and can't carry in hand luggage, it's to be obeyed. Also get to the airport early.
+1 on this - don't even think about making a joke about bombs or something stupid!
And +1000 on the good book / tablet, once you're up in the air flying is about as exciting as a long distance bus ride. But with less to look at!
Posted 4 months ago # -
Yeah flying, especially over 4 hours is tedious.
Noise cancelling headphones are great, they really do work well at removing the insessant background roar.
Don't drink alcohol, or if you do, alternate with the same amount of water.
Get a really good nights sleep before (don't stay up all night drinking then get on a plane back from New York, easily the worst 7 hours of my life)
Posted 4 months ago # -
Used to do border security for Canada working for their government so spent a lot of time in Ottawa.
Do a tour of their parliament - http://www.parl.gc.ca/Default.aspx?Language=E (well worth it)
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is very interesting - http://www.civilization.ca/home - it's just across the bridge. Learn how the country came into being.
As above Byward market is fantastic for restaurants there are loads. I like "The Keg" which is a really nice steak house (amazing steak). I always used to eat there before flying home. (There is also a strip bar and a Hooters in Ottawa as well - I went to the strip bar and the govt agency picked up the tab which technically means Canadian taxpayers paid for me to look at nudey ladies)
Posted 4 months ago # -
I used to stay in The Westin near parliament which is an ace hotel.
This was my crappy attempt at tilt-shift from the room window.
Posted 4 months ago # -
No way window seat for long flight - tourists !
Anything more that a couple of hours and aisle seat is key, you can get up and walk about as much as you want without annoying people, and have way more leg room, not that I need it mind.
Drink loads of water and the aisle seat becomes even more important.
If you really want to see the view buy a book called Earth From Space. You only get to see it at landing and take off anyway after that you will ba above the clouds.
Actually this reminds me of an unresolvable argument with old bf, he always wanted window and I like aisle. Fine, in the end we just sat separately. Says it all really...
Posted 4 months ago #
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