Denver Holidays Day 9
Never did we expect things to turn out the way it did today when we were delayed in MSP International Airport, had to be deplaned and received a complimentary night stay. Fortunately for us, meal vouchers were provided as we had less than a dollar left and we had not paid for our next accommodation for the night yet. However, the day did not start off too well.
We had made some calls to friends in the US last night since local calls were free according to the operator and we were horrified to find a bill for almost USD50 this morning. Upon clarifying with the receptionist, she claimed that our calls were ‘domestic’ calls and not ‘local’ calls. This is simply absurd!
Holiday Travel Tips
Take note of phone charges before making any. Some hotels provide free local calls. However it is good to confirm what ‘local’ means. E.g. if you are in the US Denver, Colorado, then free local charges would imply only calls made to the Denver area are free. Calls to any other cities in the US are considered as ‘domestic’ calls and chargeable, and you can be hit with an exorbitant phone bill upon check out. You can however find some hotels that provide free local as well as domestic calls, one of which is Castle Marne Denver which even offers free calls to Canada.
After the ‘free bright side’ breakfast in the lobby area, we checked out and took the 0845 hrs shuttle to the airport for our flight to Tokyo via Minneapolis.
NW558 Denver – Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) International Airport, the Twin City of Minneapolis 1105 hrs – 1345 hrs, an hour and a half flight time (one hour time difference with Denver)
NW19 MSP International Airport – Tokyo. As the plane was moving onto the runway, there was a deafening noise and burning smell. Due to this, the pilot brought the plane back to be checked and we were delayed whilst they tried to identify the source of the problem. We were deplaned at 1700 hrs and given USD10 each for a meal. We had a meal at Wok & Roll, one of the restaurants at MSP which was close to the gate as we had to be back at 1800 hrs to await further information.
Food outlet at MSP International Airport
Deciding what to eat
Fried rice with kungpao chicken (left) and teriyaki chicken (right)
MSPInternational Airport is a huge airport where you can eat, shop, relax as well as conduct meetings and conferences in comfort.
Kayak exhibit at MSP International Airport
Biplane exhibit at MSP International Airport
Mall of America
We boarded the hotel shuttle again to head back to the hotel where we checked in and had our dinner at Jakes Restaurant in the hotel. We ordered the Western Burger (hamburger covered in rich barbeque sauce, bacon and melted cheese) and Saratoga Club (chicken breast topped with bacon and cheese) followed by the Molten Lava Cake and Carrot Cake.
Jakes Restaurant in Courtyard @ Marriott
Saratoga Club
Western Burger
Holiday Travel Tips
Always be prepared for the unexpected and have your most essential items with you at all times just in case of emergencies such as flight delays.
Never did we expect things to turn out the way it did today when we were delayed in MSP International Airport, had to be deplaned and received a complimentary night stay. Fortunately for us, meal vouchers were provided as we had less than a dollar left and we had not paid for our next accommodation for the night yet. However, the day did not start off too well.
We had made some calls to friends in the US last night since local calls were free according to the operator and we were horrified to find a bill for almost USD50 this morning. Upon clarifying with the receptionist, she claimed that our calls were ‘domestic’ calls and not ‘local’ calls. This is simply absurd!
Holiday Travel Tips
Take note of phone charges before making any. Some hotels provide free local calls. However it is good to confirm what ‘local’ means. E.g. if you are in the US Denver, Colorado, then free local charges would imply only calls made to the Denver area are free. Calls to any other cities in the US are considered as ‘domestic’ calls and chargeable, and you can be hit with an exorbitant phone bill upon check out. You can however find some hotels that provide free local as well as domestic calls, one of which is Castle Marne Denver which even offers free calls to Canada.
After the ‘free bright side’ breakfast in the lobby area, we checked out and took the 0845 hrs shuttle to the airport for our flight to Tokyo via Minneapolis.
NW558 Denver – Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) International Airport, the Twin City of Minneapolis 1105 hrs – 1345 hrs, an hour and a half flight time (one hour time difference with Denver)
NW19 MSP International Airport – Tokyo. As the plane was moving onto the runway, there was a deafening noise and burning smell. Due to this, the pilot brought the plane back to be checked and we were delayed whilst they tried to identify the source of the problem. We were deplaned at 1700 hrs and given USD10 each for a meal. We had a meal at Wok & Roll, one of the restaurants at MSP which was close to the gate as we had to be back at 1800 hrs to await further information.
Food outlet at MSP International Airport
Deciding what to eat
Fried rice with kungpao chicken (left) and teriyaki chicken (right)MSP
Kayak exhibit at MSP International Airport
Biplane exhibit at MSP International Airport
At 1900 hrs, we were informed of the need to stay the night and were given free accommodation at Courtyard @ Marriott with a total of USD25 in meal vouchers. By the time we received our vouchers and reached the hotel by complimentary hotel shuttle, it was already 2000 hrs.
We headed straight for the Mall of America, the largest retail and entertainment complex in
Mall of America
We boarded the hotel shuttle again to head back to the hotel where we checked in and had our dinner at Jakes Restaurant in the hotel. We ordered the Western Burger (hamburger covered in rich barbeque sauce, bacon and melted cheese) and Saratoga Club (chicken breast topped with bacon and cheese) followed by the Molten Lava Cake and Carrot Cake.
Jakes Restaurant in Courtyard @ MarriottSaratoga Club
Western Burger Molten Lava Cake 
Chocolate cake with melted chocolate and served with ice-cream
Carrot cake
As we had no luggage, we could not make use of the heated pool since we did not have any swimwear and retired to bed early.
Chocolate cake with melted chocolate and served with ice-cream
Carrot cakeAs we had no luggage, we could not make use of the heated pool since we did not have any swimwear and retired to bed early.
Always be prepared for the unexpected and have your most essential items with you at all times just in case of emergencies such as flight delays.
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