Hundreds of European backpackers remained stranded in Australia on Monday, many low on funds, as travel mayhem from the Iceland volcano extended right around the globe.
Many hostels said travellers had extended stays after their flights were cancelled, meaning “additional money to spend at the end of their journey, when they don’t have much any more”, a Sydney Harbour Hostel worker said. English traveller Amy Briggs, 25, said the volcanic ash cloud had brought a chaotic end to her six-month holiday.
“I was supposed to leave tomorrow on British Airways, but they told me it’s been cancelled. So I have to spend more money to sleep here, and it spoils the end of my trip as I spend hours calling the airline,” she told AFP. Oliver Davies, 29, who was due back for duties with Britain’s Royal Navy on Monday after a two-week holiday, was also left out of pocket.
“I was due to leave three days ago, but there will be no flights until Wednesday,” he said, while cooking his lunch in the Maze hostel in central Sydney. “I asked my travel insurance, and they won’t cover the costs of the additional nights as it is a natural disaster.” Base Tourism group, which owns hostels in Australia and New Zealand, sent an email to its managers warning of an influx of young travellers left in limbo by the crisis.
“It is not a big issue for us as it is not the peak season,” a spokesperson said. Some backpackers took the opportunity to enjoy extra time at the beach, taking advantage a spell of warm autumn weather. “There are worse places to be stranded than Sydney,” said Peter Miller, owner of the Great Aussie backpackers hostel.
However Frenchman Lucas Ferret, 27, found the wait frustrating. “We wish we knew when we can fly. This way, we would be able to visit other places and not be stuck here,” he said. Sydney’s international airport was also largely deserted on Monday as flag-carrier Qantas extended European flight cancellations into Wednesday.
Sydney, April 19, 2010 (AFP)
