64 FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2018 158 Casimir Street, Port Perry 905-985-2268 virginia.frew@marlintravel.ca MC TICO #4577532 Call today! Christmas and March Break still available Virginia, Jean, Colleen and Leanne still attached. He went on to announce that we would be able to fly to Toronto, but regulations insisted we land as soon as possible. Yeah, right, I thought. What if the other engine decides to quit? They were after all, manufactured by the same builder. I think I would have been all right if the priest beside me had not turned to me and asked if I wanted him to hear my confession. Canada has one of the highest safety standards in the world, which is comfort- ing, except the majority of my flights are international. I took a Twin Otter across Costa Rica, which was built in 1964. I also had the pleasure of spending an hour in a four-seater en route to New Zealand’s Milford Sound, where the turbulence was so bad my head was constantly banging against the ceiling. One of the better memories has to be on board a Russian Aeroflot DC-8, travelling from St. Petersburg to Moscow. The plane was half full, and every con- ceivable part shook while it endlessly barreled along the runway. Upon take off the empty aisle seat beside me began to move, shake and fall, directly into the aisle. No one seemed upset and when we landed (safely, thank goodness), people simply stepped over it and con- tinued on their way. I have had a landing wheel malfunc- tion, resulting in a foam landing, which I might add, was relatively smooth, except for the inflatable chute ride down to the tarmac. Flying to Fredericton, a flap re- fused to engage and we were told we would be travelling to Halifax because – “The runway was longer”. I also know there is a large ocean at the end. I think the scariest trip was an ISIS threat against a flight from Johannesburg to New York. After a thorough investiga- tion we were deemed to be safe to fly, but I sat there for sixteen hours, wonder- ing if they were right. So as I flew through turbulence, the seatbelt sign lit and the fuselage shaking violently, most people are trying to watch the movie or reading a book, but I sit nervously glancing around, thinking only that this aircraft was built by the lowest bidder. Fly Me to the Moon (continued from page 63) The DC9, prior to take off with both engines intact. The 737 when the alarms went off. The small airplance in Milford Sound was no match for the rough turbulance. Jonathan van Bilsen is a photographer, author, columnist, keynote speaker and can be followed at photosNtravel.com TRAVEL TIP: In March of this year the CCPS&CJ released its 50 most dangerous cities in the world (ranked by homicide rates). Number one on the list is Los Cabos, Mexico, second is Caracas, Venezuela, third is Acapulco, Mexico, next is Natal, Brazil and fifth is Tijuana, Mexico.