The Way Home

  Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
December 08, 2013

I popped a Gravol before our flight, so I think I was asleep before we took off. I had a nice long sleep, seven or eight hours, but woke up with a sore back and neck several times, shifted to another uncomfortable position, then slept some more. Bill said that he watched a movie, slept for a few hours, then watched another movie and some television shows.

We arrived at the airport in Amsterdam early, so that was a relief with our relatively short turn around. They showed a video before we landed to help explain the airport layout and how to handle connections which was very useful.

We departed and used a kiosk to change our seats and reprint our boarding passes. We did not have to go through a passport check point, so we had lots of time. I was thrilled to find a Starbucks (first time since Paris) and Bill was thrilled to find a Scotch and Cigar Store. They had a bottle of Scotch for sale that was worth 36,000 Euros. They also offered tastings, so Bill tried two that he had never had before. He purchased two bottles of Scotch and some cigars. 

Terminal F is new or has been newly renovated and has some really neat things - a library, museum and museum shop, comfortable seating and interesting shops and cafes. It was a great way to spend our short time in the Netherlands!

We had several moments of panic after we crossed through security at our boarding gate. Bill realized that we did not have my iPad. We must have left it on the cart. With all of our extra bags and carrying our sweatshirts, we did not realize that we were missing something. Bill went back and I anxiously waited beyond security. We were both certain it was gone. Who would not be tempted to keep it? It was not on the cart, so Bill raced back to the information desk (10 min walk away) and it was there! Our Patron Saint of Travel, St Christopher, has once again been looking out for us!

Pictures & Videos

We are on our thirteenth and final flight of our trip. Once again we are so blessed to have the opportunity to go on a Trip of a Lifetime! 

Africa has a unique charm that has certainly captured my heart in the past and this trip has been no different. I saw so many beautiful places, things, people, animals and birds in Namibia and South Africa and I have loved it all. I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience it because it really is beyond words.

I was sad to leave Africa knowing that it really may be many years before we have the chance to return. But, I am happy to be returning home to see my kittens, friends, family and home that I have missed so much over the past few weeks. I am also looking forward to starting the next chapter of my life and I am confident that it will be another new adventure!