After the chaos of last night’s delay, we finally stumbled into our hotel at 4 AM. Because we’d already booked it, the seven-hour flight delay didn’t actually impact us one small win after a long, brutal day. The staff kindly pushed checkout to midday, so we scurried to the room, drew the curtains, and collapsed. Everyone was out cold until 11:15 AM.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it was survival.
By lunchtime we were back at the airport, patched together with caffeine and snacks. Another flight, another round of shuffling bags, and at 7 PM we touched down in Lombok tired, yes, but relieved. A long couple of days that ended with the promise of proper rest and some island R&R.
🏝 Why Buffer Days Are Worth It
This trip has already proved the value of building in extra days between flights. Twice now, those buffers have saved us from complete chaos, back at the start…
Peru rerouting via Chile. Peru Nightmare
Iberia’s cancellation meant we spent seven hours waiting for a broken plane they never managed to fix, before finally giving up. Alis determination got us on a flight rerouting through Chile but chewed up around 75% of our three-day buffer in Spain, others had to wait 5day!
The buffer meant we still made our onward flight to Japan. Without it, we’d have been stuck booking new flights.
Borneo tyre blowout – when the wheel literally came off on landing.
The airline spent seven hours trying (and failing) to fix the plane before a replacement wheel was flown in. Many people had tight two-hour connections and missed them all and were very angry! While we were calm as we had 24 hours to spare and carried onwards without a hitch.
The lesson? Expect the unexpected. Airlines won’t always save you but your own buffers will.
💤 The Reset Plan
Day 1: Do as little as possible. Pool, beach, and naps — nothing more. Day 2: Ease in with short outings around Senggigi instead of rushing off. Day 3: Then, and only then, start exploring the island properly.
Sometimes the best travel strategy isn’t about how much you see, but how much you allow yourself to stop.
✈️ Travel Tip & CTA
Travel with kids isn’t just about destinations — it’s about pacing. Build recovery days (buffer days) into your plans, because even paradise won’t feel like paradise if you’re shattered.
👉 Want more tips for surviving long-haul family travel? Check out my Travel Tips page for parent-tested advice. And if you’ve ever been saved by a buffer day, I’d love to hear your story — drop it in the comments!
❓ FAQs & Tips for Tired Travellers
Q: Should you book a hotel when you land in the middle of the night?
A: Yes — even if it feels like a waste of money. That 4 AM bed is worth ten times the cost.
Q: How do you keep kids from melting down after back-to-back flights?
A: Routine comforts help — familiar snacks, bedtime stories, and quiet time on tablets. Sleep will follow.
Q: Is it better to push on or pause after a rough travel day?
A: Pause. You’ll enjoy the trip more if you let everyone recharge.
Q: What’s the one thing you’d do differently next time?
A: Always keep an “arrival survival kit” in carry-on: snacks, wipes, chargers, change of clothes — and most importantly, plan buffer days for when things go wrong.
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