Last hours in Santa Cruz...
Yesterday I spent a quiet night and went to bed early, because I knew that this day would start early and might be long.
I asked for a wake up call at 4:00 am, so I could finish packing, take a shower, do the check out, take a cup of coffe and be ready by the time the taxi came for us at the hotel. Enrique, the guy who has been our taxi driver during the past days arrived just on time. I also had time to walk around the hotel and enjoy the exotic veggetation there. Everytime I saw the pool, I felt so bad that I wasn't able to enjoy it, mmm. I guess I just have to go back hehehe.
Enrique helped us with our luggage and before we knew we were in our way to the airport. The airport in Santa Cruz is small, so it wasn't a problem doing a small line. The flight to Sao Paulo was with Aerosur and was full. There were some Bolilvians and also Brazilians. We had to wait for a long time before going through security. Because there weren't many flights, they just started working when they see a good group of people. It was the first time I found not so friendly crew members during the flight. Usually they are really helpful and nice. But there was an old guy, who seemed to be tired and bored from his job, oooops!
Anyway, by 7:30 we were taking off and our trip to Brazil was getting started. I was just thinking about my free weekend in Rio :)
It was during my business trip through South America. I had to go from Buenos Aires to Santa Cruz and then from Santa Cruz to Rio. Both times I took this airline.
Well, this was my experience:
-the planes were old and not very well maintained. In order not to use much fuel, they didn't turn on the a/c until the flight started, so the boarding was incredibly hot!!!
-they gave us food, but it didn't look or taste very good. Actually I didn't try mine, but was told it didn't taste very good...and smelled a bit strange...
-their website is not very good
although their problems, staff try to be friendly, but it's a hard work if they don't have enough resources...
you might think it's cheap, but wasn't cheap. Personally I wouldn't recommend them unless it's the only one who can fly you to your destiny.
Things you have to know about this airport are:
when you arrive:
-the lines for customs can be long, just be ready to show your passport and yellow fever certificate. oh! if you need a Visa and don't have one by the time you arrive to the airport, don't worry. You can buy one there ;) that's amazing!!!
-don't loose the small tags the airline put on your suitcases and on your boarding pass. You need to show them while you are leaving the airport.
when you leave:
-the airport taxes, when you are leaving the country are US$19.-
-the security is not so bad, but they will ask you how many days did you stay in the country and pick up the green sheet they gave to you when you arrive to the country.
-this one is for shoppers: the duty free here is cheaper than others ;)
-the gates are not so confortable, so be prepared and have a good book with you.
-the information in the arrival/departure boards is not always updated, so better listen carefully to the speakers.
