Shocking Start, Surprising End

Originally, I planned to go for a seclusive 'holiday' (I dont dare to say 'retreat') for this year's Eid Festive; but just a few weeks before the the holiday mood kicked in, I got an invitation from a supplier. It's a France trip for EUFA 2016! Yippieee...

START

So, we depart on 28th June using Turkish Airlines. When I was on board, I was told that there is a bombing at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul - that's where we gonna have our transit before embarking to Nice, France. I was watching the inflight live news, wondering if we can catch the next flight.
When we landed, the airport was in chaos, so many people, stranded and confused people. Planes were cancelled or delayed, leaving people (including me and my group) in dismay. We were stranded for 6 hours from the original 3 hour transit. Lucky us!

So, this is what I considered as a shocking start. We were lucky to miss the bombing (if only we were there a few hours earlier - Can't imagine it)

END
Now, about the end of the trip. Our last day in Paris was a full day of Gallery Lafayette day. We supposed to reach airport before 4pm, so that we have enough time for tax refund. I don't have to worry about it, because I didn't shop much, and my refund is only about EUR20.

When we reached the airport, my tourleader take us to take refunds. And not long after we finished all the refund, I finally realised that my tour leader was panicking, I still didn't know what's going on. Later I found out that we miss our flights from Paris to Jakarta.
 The reason was so trivial, it was a typo on our travel itinerary. The flight was supposed to be on 16pm, but it was written 19pm; though the tickets were written correctly. No one checked the ticket!!! (except me, will tell story later) Sucks, isn't it?
Turkish Airline staffs wasn't helpful at all. We end up running to each and every airline desk that available at CDG. Flights to Jakarta were FULL, which is expected, it was the END of the Festive Eid holiday. I have to admit that people for Skyteam and Star Alliance have sympathetic gesture. They might not be able to fix it for you, but at least they can give valid advice.

We were trying to grab any flights available to reach South East Asia (by that time we didn't aim for Jakarta anymore), so we then separated into 3 groups. First 2 groups was booked on the spot on 2 different flights. I was left on the 3rd group, cos I am young and single.. ahhahaha the other 2 groups have kids and elders. Anyway, the 3rd group finally able to get some tickets through online booking.  Pure luck.

Long story short, all 17 of us finally reach home safe and sound. Damn tired, but at least we were saved.  So there it is shocking start and surprising end.