Security checks were quick, including body scan, pat down and explosives detection checks that seem to have become the norm for one of us. One bag sidelined, searched and tested resulted in a major repacking event to ensure binoculars, camera, head torches, water bottles and other equipment essential for a safari tour all fitted neatly back in place. But all in all it went very smoothly thank goodness!
A tour of the various duty free shops, a bit of a sit down and it was time to go to the gate.
That's a pretty blue aeroplane.
Eleven planes ahead of us in the queue meant a slightly late take off, but the flight is only forty-five minutes. In that time the cabin crew managed to come around with a wrap snack, water and a cup of tea - all very pleasant.
Amsterdam from the air before we land.
Schiphol Airport is huge but we find our way to the airport hotel for the night.
Amsterdam from the air before we land.
Schiphol Airport is huge but we find our way to the airport hotel for the night.
Mmm - a toilet pod and a shower pod - interesting. Inside the shower pod. The shower doesn't work until you close the doors.
Sign in the hotel bar and dining area.
Outside of the hotel Eric meets his first new friend - that's some baby - I can see right up it's nose.
Out for a Dutch stroll to find something edible, one very tasty and one very very big mistake (forgot that carpaccio isn't a veggie option). On the menu it looked like the name of a mature cheese salad - honestly - double portions for the lucky one, well I needed to shed some pounds anyway).
Return to the hotel and Eric meets some more new friends -
I thought we'd have to wait until we arrived in Africa before we saw anything like this.
The hotel is quite unusual and very cosmopolitan. Display of lights in one of their lounges
