AUTUMNAL TRAVELS IN THE WEST TRAVELOGUE: US, UK, BELGIUM

AUTUMNAL TRAVELS IN THE WEST

TRAVELOGUE: US, UK, BELGIUM (SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026)

By Rochelle Almeida

My travels in the autumn of 2026 were a three-week whirlwind of exhilarating activity that left me winded but highly gratified. Do join me now on my trip as away we go….

Sunday, September 27, 2026

Bombay-London-New York

Enjoying a Great Flight:

My flight from Bombay to the US (via London) was scheduled to leave at 9.00 am. As I needed to be at Sahar airport at 6.00 am, I called my Uber at 5.00 am to give myself a whole hour to get there at leisure. I need not have worried. Not only did the driver turn up on time, but in the pitch darkness, with barely another vehicle or person on the streets, I literally reached there in 20 minutes. It took me another 10 minutes to get inside the airport precincts and then I was all set. I would be taking British Airways flight (BA 134) and as it was on time and all formalities went off well (I had one large suitcase inside another and a small strolley which I also checked in, all I had with me was a small backpack). In fact, I had more than two hours to kill before boarding began. Hence, I made my way straight to the Adani Lounge (which I am entitled to use by my bank—SBI). I was already hungry (go figure!) and helped myself to a small croissant, scrambled eggs and sauteed mixed vegetables together with a cup of coffee—a handsome pre-breakfast, if ever there as one, wouldn’t you say? I knew I would be served another meal on the flight, but that was at least three hours away and I was grateful for this sustenance.

My flight took off on time. I have to say that I absolutely loved the fact that the screen in front of my seat featured a rather detailed map of Central London—which definitely put me in a London state of mind! I tried hard to find my own flat at Holborn and did zero in on its general location. I had a nice Goan young man named Jonathan seated near me—he had just returned from his grandmother’s funeral in Goa. As we were three passengers on a four-seater aisle group, I found the seat right beside me empty and I was pleased. That said, there was ample seat and leg room (I had an aisle seat—so although I missed the thrills of the window, I knew it would be a very comfortable flight.

And I was not mistaken. In no time at all, the drinks trolley came around. I had a gin (Tanqueray) and tonic with ice and a slice and a packet of pretzels. I realized then that our next meal would be lunch (good job I’d eaten breakfast in the lounge!) and as I sipped, I finished watching 500 Miles, a film with Bill Nighy that I had actually begun on my last British Airways while returning from Malta in August. Well, I was able to get to the exact spot where I had left off and within an hour, I had finished watching the movie which turned out to be (spoiler alert!) very sad indeed. Lunch followed and it was piping hot and delicious. I chose the Indian meal and ended up eating Jeera Rice with Chicken Tikka Masala, Dum Aloo, Grated Carrot Salad with Peanuts, a warm Bread Roll with Butter, a pot of plain yogurt and for dessert, a superb Chocolate Mousse Cake. I also asked for a glass of sparkling white wine with my meal and the crew readily obliged. So, I can tell you that I was really impressed and very pleased with the service on board. Also, there were large trays of snacks and drinks at the far end of the aircraft and we were encouraged to help ourselves. I did pick up some chocolate bars and a few Caramello Bars (like Kit Kat bars) and some orange juice. I think I then dozed off for about a couple of hours and when I awoke, I watched another movie, The Outfit starring two of England’s finest actors (Mark Rylance playing a tailor during the Second World War in Chicago) and Simon Russel Beale playing the head honcho of a band of gangsters. Yes, it was a mafia film and it was a nail-biting thriller alright. I found it to be the perfect in-flight movie as it kept me enthralled and the hours passed by swiftly.

A lighter meal was served just before we landed in London’s Heathrow airport. I opted once again for the Indian meal and received a mutton korma with steamed rice, a warm bread roll with butter and a kala jamun for dessert (again, no fault to be found with the food at this meal). As I craned my neck to look out of the window, I could see that we were flying over Central London (and I felt sorry that I did not have a window seat), However, I actually managed to click a couple of pictures from my aisle seat and I did get a skyscraper (which I cannot identify) and the Wembley Stadium arch (which, of course, I can). So, in a word, the flight was fabulous and I really did enjoy every second of it. By the time, we landed in London, I was excited to be back in my favorite city and although I would not be getting outside, it was good to be on British soil again. I had a three-hour layover in London which would leave me enough time to browse in the duty free shops and generally stretch my legs and while time away fruitfully.

Making My Flight Connections—A Huge Adventure!

Ha! Little did I know what lay ahead! Turns out (in my enthusiasm to change Terminals—I had to go from 5 to 3), I missed one of the signs and instead of staying within the airport, I actually took a wrong turn and went through Immigration. Of course, I realized my mistake within seconds but, by then, it was already too late. One of the officers told me that I would actually have to leave the terminal and re-enter. He instructed me as to what exactly I had to do and you will never believe what that was! Long story short, after I passed a sign and took a picture by it saying, “Welcome to the United Kingdom”, I had to take a lift to get to the 4th floor. From there, I arrived at another large check-in hall. But here, I had to take another lift (across the wide room) to go down again! Once I was down, I saw a ‘Marks and Spencer’ store staring me in the face. I had to pick up some gifts for my brother and his family (as they were the only folks for whom I had not brought anything from India as I believed they would prefer to have something from the UK) and so I entered it, browsed around and then decided I had better find my Terminal first and then look for something suitable for them.

Accordingly, I followed instructions for the Underground (!)—if you can believe it…for I was told that I would have to get to the Underground Station, take the Elizabeth Line, get off at Terminal 4 stop and then proceed. Of course, by this point, I was a bit hot under the collar for about an hour had already passed since I had landed! Anyway, I took an elevator underground, arrived at the station, was told that the transfer could occur without my purchasing a ticket for the Tube and then I was off! On the Elizabeth Line! Can you even believe it? So, although I had not intended to, I had indeed left the airport and entered into the wider life of London!!!

Well, about three stops later, I got off and followed signs to Terminal 3. This was no picnic, let me assure you, but eventually I did get there. And yes, there were a bunch of shops there too including M&S and W.H. Smith and I did find my brother’s family a few edible gifts that I thought they would appreciate. And when that was done, I could actually find my Gate (it was clearly marked) and make myself comfortable while awaiting my connecting flight.

On an American Airlines Flight Onward:

This was an American Airlines flight to New York, that left at 6.00 pm (local GMT) and hence, they’d be serving us dinner on our flight. I did order a gin and tonic on the flight before the meal was served and opted for the Indian meal once again. It was Chicken Masala with Pullao Rice and sauteed broccoli and beans. There was a bread roll with cheese and a cookie bar as well as fruit (a whole tangerine and some grapes). There was also a chocolate cheesecake for dessert which made for a very handsome meal—no complaints at all.

Then, just before we landed (at 9.00 pm), local New York time, they served another lighter meal: it was a vegetable pie with a serving of mashed potato, a packet of cookies and a Coke. On this leg, I did sleep for a full four hours and then worked a bit on my laptop—so that I did not watch a film on this sector. I have to say that it felt good to be back in New York City again (although not as great as it feels when I am in London!) and within a short time, I had my baggage with me and was wheeling it out of the airport. Llew had organized a private Uber for me (as it was too late to take one of the shared shuttles) and with the driver making contact with me, I was able to find the car in the Passenger Pick up Area outside the airport and was off and away. I was in the USA after about 20 hours of being airborne and I was really pleased that I had arrived sans incident.

About an hour later (we had a bit of traffic when leaving New York City), we were going over the Throg’s Neck Bridge and I felt suddenly fully at home. It is uncanny how quickly one can shake off that feeling of newness and feel familiar about one’s environment again. Soon, I was pulling into the driveway at our former neighbor’s home. It was just past midnight but Llew was awaiting my arrival and gave me a warm welcome. I was still full of beans (adrenalin high, I guess), but after chatting for just a little while, we called it a day.

It had been an eventful journey moving across continents, oceans and countries but eventually, I had reached my destination, none the worse for my long travels. I looked forward to what the days ahead would bring and it is about those days that I shall now tell you all.

Until tomorrow, see ya...