Ram Ram 15
The Adventures of Ram Ram
OK, so I got a bit carried away at the Artisan Market, and ended up haggling with the artist over a wall mask and getting a deal I could not refuse (although David would disagree). This is how Ram Ram (a name I gave this creature) came to be adopted by the Howards.
It wasn't until we got him back to the room that I realised quite how big he was, and that he wasn't going to fit inside our checked in luggage. Oops.
The guys on the hotel reception kindly let us have some newspapers and cellotape to wrap him in, but it soon became apparent that he needed more, especially if he was to travel in the cargo hold of the plane.
Jackie, from our local agent Voyages Lumiere, came to the rescue. Less than an hour after texting her and asking how I could get hold of some bubble wrap, a driver turned up at our hotel with a huge roll of it. What a star she is!
Duly wrapped, we approached the check in staff at Delta Airlines in Port au Prince, who insisted he had to be checked in, but it was going to cost us $108. Not at all happy about that, I not-so-gently persuaded them to allow him to travel as carry-on, and we continued through the security into the departure lounge without much further fuss.
On the flight from Port au Prince, Haiti, to Atlanta, US, Ram Ram travelled in the cupboard allocated for coats in First Class. The staff loved him.
The next hurdle – and the biggest one as far as we were concerned – was US customs. After going through the X-ray, the security officer asked what it was, and proceeded to undress the carefully wrapped Ram Ram. Satisfied that he posed no risk to Homeland security, Ram Ram was yet again re-dressed and even received some additional accessories in the form of an approved 'INSPECTED' tape around his nose (horn).
Virgin Airlines from Atlanta to Heathrow were just as accommodating, and the crew just as amused, by our peculiar looking package. Yet again Ram Ram travelled in style in the First Class coat rack.
Back on UK soil all three of us sailed through customs without a second glance, and we soon found ourselves on the Heathrow Express train; while on the Hotel Hoppa Ram Ram travelled on the luggage rack.
Back home, we carefully undressed Ram Ram, who easily survived the journey in one piece.
He was accompanied on his adventure by a couple of friends from Haiti and has now moved into his forever-home and made a lot of new friends.
And they all lived happily ever after.
Ram Ram 15
The Adventures of Ram Ram
OK, so I got a bit carried away at the Artisan Market, and ended up haggling with the artist over a wall mask and getting a deal I could not refuse (although David would disagree). This is how Ram Ram (a name I gave this creature) came to be adopted by the Howards.
It wasn't until we got him back to the room that I realised quite how big he was, and that he wasn't going to fit inside our checked in luggage. Oops.
The guys on the hotel reception kindly let us have some newspapers and cellotape to wrap him in, but it soon became apparent that he needed more, especially if he was to travel in the cargo hold of the plane.
Jackie, from our local agent Voyages Lumiere, came to the rescue. Less than an hour after texting her and asking how I could get hold of some bubble wrap, a driver turned up at our hotel with a huge roll of it. What a star she is!
Duly wrapped, we approached the check in staff at Delta Airlines in Port au Prince, who insisted he had to be checked in, but it was going to cost us $108. Not at all happy about that, I not-so-gently persuaded them to allow him to travel as carry-on, and we continued through the security into the departure lounge without much further fuss.
On the flight from Port au Prince, Haiti, to Atlanta, US, Ram Ram travelled in the cupboard allocated for coats in First Class. The staff loved him.
The next hurdle – and the biggest one as far as we were concerned – was US customs. After going through the X-ray, the security officer asked what it was, and proceeded to undress the carefully wrapped Ram Ram. Satisfied that he posed no risk to Homeland security, Ram Ram was yet again re-dressed and even received some additional accessories in the form of an approved 'INSPECTED' tape around his nose (horn).
Virgin Airlines from Atlanta to Heathrow were just as accommodating, and the crew just as amused, by our peculiar looking package. Yet again Ram Ram travelled in style in the First Class coat rack.
Back on UK soil all three of us sailed through customs without a second glance, and we soon found ourselves on the Heathrow Express train; while on the Hotel Hoppa Ram Ram travelled on the luggage rack.
Back home, we carefully undressed Ram Ram, who easily survived the journey in one piece.
He was accompanied on his adventure by a couple of friends from Haiti and has now moved into his forever-home and made a lot of new friends.
And they all lived happily ever after.