First time London - Memorable in the wrong way

Arrival date - 5th Sept 2007, 5.50am

I was asked to go the the health custom office to do a chest x-ray. The custom officer was quite hostile and asked a few questions regarding my visit to the UK.

After chest x-ray, i proceeded to belt 6 to collect my luggage. I waited and waited, the carousel belt was empty but my luggage never appeared. I walked to the baggage claim counter and told them that my luaggage was not there. Then the officer asked me to go to belt 9 to check it out as SQ last minute changed the belt. I went and waited again, no sign of my lugguage. I walked back to the officer and told him about it. I filed a baggage lost report.

I was without my baggage early in the morning. Could only check into the hostel after 2pm. Found cafe near my hostel and bought a cup of coffee in order to hook onto their wireless network. Emailed almost everyone in Singapore, shouted for help. I was so lost then.

Then late in the evening, i saw this email:

Hi Mei Zhen

Someone from Warminster School called me to say that one of their students has got your suitcase by mistake! They are also hoping that you may have theirs. Can you call the following person as soon as possible to discuss : Mrs Cottam (she is the lady who called to tell us about the suitcase)House mistressWarminster School

I have been informed by Mrs Cottam that the person who took your suitcase by mistake will be returning it early tomorrow morning (Thursday 6 September) to the Cathay Pacific check-in desk in Zone B, Terminal 3, Heathrow Airport. Please go to the above location at Heathrow and tell them you have come to collect your lost luggage which has been returned to them by another passenger who had taken it by mistake.

I was jumping with joy when i saw this message; like strike 4D or Toto. It was about 12am (London time then). I slept for a few hours and then woke up to get ready to go to the airport to collect. I spent 4 hours (including traveling time) at the airport but did not manage to get my luggage. Dun ask me why... ask the bunch of inefficient brits. I was fuming mad... wasted time, wasted money, wasted effort...

To cut the long story short, i finally managed to get my luggage but it was no longer in the original condition. The lock was broken with a foldable trolley missing. I am in the process of typing a complaint letter to SIA to ask for compensation. Wish me good luck!!