Columnist Remayah Tulloch-Hunter recalls her time away in sunny Tunisia, trying new activities.
I will never forget my trip to Tunisia.
But three days before going home, I overheard a conversation I wished I’d never heard.
It was a moment my holiday went from happy and exciting to me being worried and scared, wondering if what the woman had said was going to happen to me.
I started thinking my time might be up.
There are many reasons why people don’t want to travel by plane, and one of those can be when a holiday goes from being exciting to you questioning what might happen when you next climb on board.
It was at 7pm on Tuesday, April 13, that I overheard the conversation that made my stomach drop.
I remember looking up at her, thinking, ‘Was that true?’ when she mentioned her plane’s wheel had come off.
It meant my pulse was beating faster when I next set foot into an airport, but not with the normal thrilled feeling.
It was all so different to when I caught my flight out to Tunisia. I had that feeling of elation that everyone gets knowing you’re leaving your dull country for another with sunshine. These days, a holiday is the only thing I really look forward to.
I hate Birmingham Airport. It’s annoying because of the decision to get rid of the escalators and replace them with lifts that move at 1mph. Not only that, but the people in the airport move slowly, like a snail.
The trip was an easy, smooth ride. I had the benefit of two empty seats to myself. Extra legroom is always a plus.
I’ve been travelling since the age of five, and I have to say, travelling with EasyJet had to be the best experience so far.
Anyone who has been on a plane would know that no matter how delayed your plane is, you always get good views going through different countries.
Three hours and ten minutes, that’s how long the journey was, but it felt very short, maybe because I was watching films throughout.
The sensation of the scorching heat as I stepped out of the airport was the best feeling – until I was made to wait over an hour for my hotel transfer.
You would’ve thought people would read the signs or use common sense, but no, after a lengthy flight, people decided to get on the wrong transfer.
This meant time wasted and even more waiting.
It was a nightmare.
I’d arrived at the Hotel Bel Azur Thalasso and Bungalows, and the one thing on my mind was sleep. Unpacking and all sorts of things could follow in the morning.
Tunisia is a country where everyone is friendly, even if you don’t speak Arabic or French. Their English is okay and they will help you no matter what.
You know you’re in a sunny paradise when you’re enjoying a peaceful night and the sun shines through the window, waking you up.
It was an enjoyable day, not only a day in the sun, but for the first time, I rode a horse.
Everyone has different opinions, but let’s just say horse riding is not an easy thing to do.
For the first time, I was in control of a horse.
Not only by pulling the reins but by kicking the horse to get it going.
Kicking a horse, you’d think it was animal abuse. I felt scared. But quickly, I found out that it doesn’t bother the horses.
The first time, I was anxious and scared; with practice, I got better, but the nerves were still there.
Everyone learns in different ways; luckily for me, I was a quick learner.
The experience of riding a horse came to a sad end, but it was the best experience I have had.
And when the day came for me to go back home, the plane’s wheel never came off.