Thur 04 / 11

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Thur 04 / 11 Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu

Leaving Jiuzhaigou today was about the start of our homeward leg with an easy flight to Chengdu

With a 06:00 wake up call ready fo a pack and go by 08:00 it was a brisk morning around 0 deg

As usual, it was impossible not to have a final spend up and on cue we stopped at a 'store of a neighbour from our tour guide's village' for more bargains.

Arriving at the airport at around 10:45 we awaited an 11:40 flight and within ½ hour were advised of a significant delay with buses arranged to take us to the Min Tiang Hotel. A rather interesting 'lunch' was provided and we were allocated rooms to await the delay

restarted:
Coincidently we were down stairs trying to access the internet when the call went out to board the bus at 14:15. As light snow was falling we arrived at the airport at 14 :40 to immediately queue at gate 4 with others from a different flight (Planes continue to be scheduled from various gates even with delays)

Some confusion developed as airport staff tried to open the gate and passengers expressed concern of delays. As one gate closed an alternative gate opened to assist crowd control however security staff (on the other side of the gate) were unable to control the developing riot. Subsequent closure of this alternative gate and the opening of the original Gate 4 caused more confusion as passengers climbed barricades to get up front Airline staff checked tickets of any one who forced their way to the gate whilst security staff held the door ajar to allow 1 passenger at a time - even though 3 or 4 were trying to present boarding passes

Following this stampede and riot we were able to board the plane at 15:05 and plane doors were closed at 15:15. Sitting in the very hot plane we eventually moved from the gate at 15:45 and in the air at 15:50

Landing at a remote dock at Changdu airport at 16:30 we travelled 10 min by bus to the terminal

Luggage was somewhat delayed and we were able to get to our local tour guide and bus by 17:25

Dinner was provided in an up-market restaurant and we eventually made our hotel around 19:30

Quiet an eventful day just to fly 40 min between cities

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As a result of equipment malfunction there is no photos this day

NDC 04/ 11

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