Choose another map, showing:

• Ireland
• Britain & Ireland
• Europe (west)
• Europe
• Eurasia
• Transatlantic
• Eurasia, Africa & Pacific
• The World

Other entries in Belfast

Departure from Belfast

As a family we did not travel far during 2001 due to the arrival of Ailsa Burnett back in June.  Ruth had been quite ill in the lead up to the birth and took a while to recover afterwards.  In essence the Burnett family went on no foreign trips between February and November 2001.  Suffice to say we were starting to suffer from travel withdrawl symptoms!  We did manage an educational trip to Ypres in Belgium back in November but were keen to go further afield and visit a new country with a warm climate.  We also wanted a trip in which most of the administration was done in advance and we would not have to plan our own transport or, for obvious reasons, go looking for accommodation at odd hours of the day or night.  I have slept in many an airport, railway station or bus depot, but this is clearly not suitable when travelling with a baby and a child of three years. 

Our honeymoon in Kenya had been organised through a well known travel company called Kuoni so we obtained their brochure and started looking around Christmas time.  There was snow on the ground outside and it was comforting to look at possible trips to India, Sri Lanka or the Far East.  We opted for Sri Lanka because there was no need to apply for visas.  After all the memory of visa problems on an aborted trip to China in December 1999 was still fresh in our memory.  We also chose a trip where we had our own minibus and driver.  However there was a catch.  Most of the hotels would only allow two adults and one child in a room, which left us stumped until 'Grandad' McKibbin agreed to come with us and pay his own way.  He would have Erin in his room and we would have Ailsa (in a cot).  All we would have to do was book.  We opted for the 'Discover Sri Lanka' tour, which included return flights from London to Colombo, four nights at the Habarana Lodge, Habarana, three nights at the Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya, and six nights at the Lighthouse Hotel, Galle, and of course all of our transport.  All the hotels are half board.  All we had to do was organise flights from Belfast to London.

This morning the Burnett household in Belfast was a hive of activity.  'Granny' McKibbin had agreed to transport us all to the airport, indeed Granny & Grandad had stayed over last night.  Even though we were all packed it is no easy task to get a small child and an infant ready for a trip, whether it be a bus into town or a longhaul trip across the planet.  Of course we made time to start the morning at the Fillerz Coffee Shop, 231 - 235 Saintfield Road, Belfast, which provides an excellent Ulster Fry.  This has become a traditional starting point for big trips and is a favourite with all the family (except Ailsa who is still on mother's best milk).  We left for Belfast City Airport at 1100hrs and said our goodbyes to Granny upon arrival at 1125hrs.  We went inside with our cases and were able to book through the baggage to Colombo, which is a great help.  We have kept hold of Ailsa's pushchair because we will need it in London.  After giving Erin a few minutes in the play area upstairs, next to the restaurant, we went through departures.  We have about another fifty minutes or so before our flight, BD 087 to London Heathrow.  Once in London we will have to obtain boarding passes for our next flight.  It appears that BMI and Sri Lankan Airlines are not part of the same alliance and of course we are travelling on two sets of tickets (slightly cheaper option).

I forgot to buy and mail a postcard before coming through into departures.  I shall look out for one in London.