Dailyprompt-2928

What’s the worst travel experience you’ve ever had?

Daily Prompt 28.10.2026 – The Journey from Hell!

Dailyprompt-2928: What’s the worst travel experience you’ve ever had?

Oh, I have a story for this one!

First of all, let me make something perfectly clear.

I hate flying!

And one particular journey from the west coast of Norway to Gran Canaria certainly didn’t help matters.

It all started at an ungodly hour.

Around five in the morning, I climbed into a taxi heading towards the boat terminal.

Outside, the rain was pouring down, and the wind was howling.

Not exactly the kind of weather that makes you excited about travelling.

My first concern was whether the high-speed passenger boat to Bergen would even be running.

Unfortunately, it was.

And believe me, I soon wished it hadn’t been! 🤣

The Boat from Hell

The boat was one of those high-speed passenger catamarans that travel along the Norwegian coast.

On a calm day, they’re a convenient way to get around.

But this was anything but a calm day!

We boarded, and it didn’t take long before my stomach started protesting.

The sea was rough, the boat was bouncing around, and I was feeling absolutely dreadful.

For the next two or three hours, I was horribly seasick.

And I wasn’t alone.

People everywhere were being sick.

It was like a floating hospital, except nobody had remembered to bring the doctors!

By the time we finally reached Bergen, I felt as though I’d survived a battle with the North Atlantic.

But my journey was far from over.

Luggage, Thunder and More Trouble

Next came the airport bus.

And, of course, I had enough luggage to make it look as though I was moving half of Norway to the Canary Islands.

Actually, there was a good reason for that.

Whenever we travelled from Norway, we took extra belongings with us to our new home in the Canary Islands.

Every journey was another opportunity to bring a little more of our old life to our new one.

Unfortunately, airlines don’t seem particularly interested in sentimental explanations when it comes to luggage allowances!

I was exhausted, still seasick and desperately hoping the rest of the journey would be easier.

Then the thunder started.

Oh, wonderful!

Because apparently, rain, wind and rough seas weren’t quite enough.

When I finally reached the airport check-in desk, I discovered that my luggage was overweight.

Naturally!

So there I stood, feeling dreadful, paying extra for my luggage.

At that point, I was beginning to wonder whether the universe was trying to tell me something.

And Then Came the Flight

Eventually, it was time to board the plane.

Surely things couldn’t get any worse?

Oh, how wrong I was!

As we walked out towards the aircraft, the weather gods decided to put on their grand finale.

The rain was still coming down, but now hail and snow had joined the performance!

By the time we got inside the plane, we were soaking wet.

And remember, I already hated flying.

So imagine how delighted I was when we took off into that weather!

The flight was terribly bumpy, with turbulence continuing until we were somewhere over France.

I sat there wondering whether I’d ever experience a smooth journey again.

First, the sea had tried to turn my stomach inside out.

Now the sky was having a go!

Djezes! Had I offended Poseidon AND Zeus? 🤣

Being half Greek, perhaps I should have known better than to upset both the god of the sea and the god of thunder on the same day!

Finally, Gran Canaria!

When we finally landed at Gran Canaria Airport, I could have kissed the ground.

But the best part of arriving wasn’t simply escaping the terrible journey.

My husband and our two youngest daughters were waiting for me at the airport. ❤️

After hours of seasickness, storms, overweight luggage and turbulence, seeing my family again was the most wonderful feeling.

I was finally where I wanted to be.

With my family, in our new home in the Canary Islands.

Unfortunately, my body hadn’t received the message that the journey was over.

For days afterwards, I still felt seasick, as though that blasted catamaran was continuing to bounce beneath my feet.

Even standing on solid ground didn’t seem to convince my stomach that we had arrived.

Looking back, I can laugh about it now.

But at the time?

It was absolutely miserable!

Still, there’s something rather fitting about the whole adventure.

We were building a new life in the Canary Islands, bringing our belongings over little by little, and every journey brought us closer to feeling completely settled.

Some journeys were easier than others.

And this particular one?

Well, let’s just say it was memorable for all the wrong reasons!

But at the end of it, my husband and daughters were waiting for me.

And that made the entire ordeal worthwhile.

Although, if Poseidon and Zeus ever decide to organise another joint performance during my travels, I would very much appreciate some advance warning!

Preferably before I buy the ticket!

💜