Jonno

Stranded in Tenerife by the Coronavirus

With the world seemingly going into meltdown we were faced with a dilemma last week as to whether to go ahead with our travel plans or not. We had booked a week away in sunny Tenerife as a reward for months of wet and rainy housesitting in the UK. Being sensible travellers we checked with the UK Foreign Office website and with the airline before our flight and were more than happy to see that there were no reasons to cancel our trip.

Tenerife

So we’ve been here in the lovely hotel Puerto de la Cruz for three days enjoying long walks, a few drinks, and a whole lot of relaxing. This morning was no different as we headed east along the coast and then back into town before grabbing a couple of ice cold beers at a fabulous little German bar in La Paz. Perfect. Then back to the hotel and the pool. What could go wrong with that?

I’ll tell you what could go wrong, the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic that’s what. As we lay on by the pool we checked the online news and saw the headlines that Jet2 had cancelled all flights to Spain. That included the Balearic Islands and the Canaries, where we were currently staying. All flights cancelled with immediate effect. You can imagine how that hit us? Immediately we felt isolated and completely cut off. Ridiculous really as the hotel is full of holidaymakers although we may be the only ones from England, lots of Spanish and even more from Germany.

There we were, sitting by the pool suddenly wondering what to do. Should we get to the airport as fast as we could just to see if there was a way to get home? Or maybe sit tight and wait to be contacted? Checking the Jet2 website threw up some standard Coronavirus warnings but we felt we just had to speak to someone in the know. After 8 or 9 attempts I finally got through to the Jet2 support line and then proceeded to wait in a queue listening to dreadful tinny 80s europop for another 35 minutes. Whilst I waited Jo called our travel insurance company and found herself in a similar situation, stuck on hold.

Once connected and verified as a ‘real‘ traveller, the seriously helpful Jet2 guy informed me that all flights returning to the UK were scheduled as normal and that the company had only cancelled flights to Spain and were flying empty aircraft out to bring travellers back. I asked for confirmation and he actually said ‘you can come home tomorrow if you really want to‘ but I obviously said No as our Wednesday 18th return was still on. I have to admit I did ask him to repeat the information three times just to ‘make sure‘ but officially all return flights until the 21st March were still happening. Stressful situation over!

Sunday Morning and the Situation Worsens

We thought it was over but woke this morning to read that Spain is in complete lockdown with transport and businesses told you shut down immediately. Our hotel seems to be immune from this as there is no sign of any issues and the guests all seem to be going about their holidays as usual. This is so surreal with the news flooding in from all over the world.

Our biggest worry is actually getting to the airport as we are at the north of the island and an 85 minute local bus trip from the airport. So if local buses were cancelled it would make it virtually impossible to get there. The staff in the hotel obviously don;t know anymore than us and with us arranging the trip ourselves rather than booking a ‘holiday‘ we don’t have a rep to speak to. More research today on the local buses is needed but it’s so tough to find out what’s really happening here.

Jet 2

We actually don;t have any worries about getting a flight back from the airport as Jet 2 did contact us via email and text yesterday afternoon conforming that our original flight would be going as planned. So we know that they ‘know about us’ and are confident in them getting in touch if their situation changes. It’s just getting to the airport that worries us.

So what next?

Well it’s breakfast as planned and then a bit of research on the bus situation but we are in two minds as to what to do now. Especially as once back in the UK we don’t have a home to self-isolate in. After speaking with one of the reception staff it now appears that the local buses will continue to run but won’t accept cash after Tuesday. So need to pickup a travel card today. Not a problem.

The situation is deteriorating fast everywhere but we’ve decided to sit tight and rely on the information that we have been told rather than panic and run for the airport. As long as we are together we will be able to handle whatever life throws at us.

Wish us luck ……….

45 comments

  2. I really hope everything works out for you. I have a friend stranded in Poland as they couldn’t get out before the sudden border closures came in to effect and another friend who had a very stressful 24hrs trying to get home from Gran Canaria. It’s unprecedented times at the minute, such a strange global tension just now.

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    • It’s all up in the air even more now as Spain is locked down with no-one doing anything. We’re not totally convinced we’ll be flying out this week.

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  3. There are worse places to be stranded but good luck with getting home.Australia has imposed a 14 day isolation but not sure if we can get to our destination first!!

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  4. So technically not stranded as you are guaranteed a flight home but maybe stranded when you do get back if they decide you all need to be quarantined or have to self isolate. Crazy times Jon. What are the stocks of toilet roll like in Tenerife? You could make a killing if you can import enough!

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  5. Ugh I don’t know what’s worse, the confusion and chaos or being subjected to 80,s euro pop for 35mins! On a serious note looks like you’re being told as much info as you can at the moment and you have a plan to get to the airport where Jet2 are confident they will have a plane waiting. Good luck guys hope you get back home without more issues

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    • Fingers crossed it works out but the situation seems to be changing by the hour. Not 100% sure our flight will be going now but we’ll sit it out.

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  9. I am stranded in Cebu in the Philippines, and my visa is expiring soon. I wonder how many of us experience something similar. The worst thing is you can’t plan anything at all, because the situation is changing literally by the hour, as you also say.

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    • Thanks so much. I think we just have to take each day as it comes and just wait and see. It seems to be getting worse everywhere so not holding out much luck currently.

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  11. Oh no, way too much stress to enjoy your lovely vacation. Much of the world is in panic buying mode and supermarkets stripped. See if you can get some Nurofen and Vit C in case you need it later!

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  14. How are the UK going to impose 14 day quarantine? Do you have to give an address and check in every day?
    I was also on the phone to SQ waiting for 90 minutes.
    Well I hope you get back soon even if it is a holiday island, it’s still very isolating for you. Good luck.

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  17. I must admit I wouldn’t want to be abroad at the moment as the world disintegrates into chaos and meltdown. The worse thing is it’s not the virus that’s causing the issue it’s the panic everyone is stirring up around it. I hope you get back safely it’s definitely a day to day update. Stay safe and good luck!

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  20. Hi there, I hope all is well. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve just nominated you for an Outstanding Blogger Award 🥇
    I really hope you’ll accept it. I’ll send a link to the post separately in case it comes up as spam.
    Best blogging wishes ✨🤗
    Cherryl x

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  22. Hi there, I hope all is well. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve just nominated you for an Outstanding Blogger Award 🥇
    I really hope you’ll accept it. I’ll send a link to the post separately in case it comes up as spam.
    Best blogging wishes ✨🤗
    Cherryl x

    Apologies if I sent this to you twice by mistake,

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