Our European Anniversary Trip - The End

October 11

Happy Birthday to me!  We got up at 3:30 AM so we could leave the motel by 4:00.  It would take around 20 minutes or so to get to the airport.  We had prearranged for a taxi to pick us up.  We went down to the lobby to turn in keys, but they weren't open yet, but the bar was and they guy there said to leave them on the lobby counter.  Then we sat down in the bar area for a little while until our taxi driver got there and loaded the luggage.  

The driver was nice, chatted along the way.  When we got to the airport and our luggage was unloaded, he got a call from the motel asking if we had left a green bag behind.  At first we said no, don't have a green bag and then Greg realized it was his backpack!  We debated on whether he really needed it and just leave it, but then decided he better go back and get it.  I waited in the airport with all the luggage while they made another trip back to the motel.  

The check-in wasn't even open, even though on the website said it would be starting at 4:00 am.  There weren't many people in the airport at that time either.  Greg called and said they were on their way back.  Turns out his prescription sunglasses were in the backpack so it was needed (he could have gotten another pair but oh well).  That was some expensive taxi!

We got checked in and then went on to our gate to wait.  Our flight was due to leave around 7 am.  Finally we started boarding and when I got to my seat, this was waiting for me!

What a nice surprise for so early in the morning!  After we took off and a little while in the air, the sunrise was so beautiful.  

The moon in the background

About 30 minutes in to the flight we were served breakfast.  This was mostly breads, tomatoes, cheeses, nothing hot.  The cheese bread was the best!

The flight was only about an hour and a half and when we landed in Amsterdam, we were to have about an hour and a half layover, but, we spent time going through a passport check and then walking for probably 15 minutes to get to our gate to go to Houston.  By the time we got there, they were already boarding, but there was still plenty of time.  With long flights and big planes, it can take a while to get everyone on board.  This last flight was the largest plane were we on, it was really nice and the seats were very private and comfortable.  I had my champagne and Greg had his beer!

Later lunch was served but I didn't get a picture.  It seems on that flight after lunch, we got a snack and then something else to eat later in the afternoon.  You don't go hungry and the food is good!

I watched three movies this time - Minions the Rise of Gru, Dr. Doolittle (with Robert Downey Jr) and Elvis.  Elvis was phenomenal!  Austin Butler did an outstanding job of portraying Elvis and deserves an Academy award!

After landing in Houston, had to go through customs and then on to get our luggage.  We had to wait a while for the luggage.  While standing there, an agent came around with a dog sniffing luggage and when she got to our carry-ons, it sniffed something in one of Greg's bags.  She asked if we had meat in there and Greg forgot he had packed some dried sausage that we bought at one of the grocery stores in Switzerland.  After we collected all of our luggage, the agent led us to an area and we had to put all of it in this machine to be x-rayed.  The guy found the sausage and it turns out you can't bring pork back to the US (nor fruits or vegetables, but we were safe there).  Greg said he couldn't read German on the package and the agent pointed out the word "swine" on it.  He was very nice, took it and we were on our way to be picked up.  

Greg's nephew picked us up and took us back to his house where we left our Jeep.  We were grateful to him as we saved a LOT on airport parking.  

We finally left and got home around 4-4:30.  The saga ended, we were pooped and I ended up going to bed around 7:30 that evening.  It was a great trip, but - I was SO glad to be home!!

Our next anniversary trip is going to be in the US, I am already planning it!

NOTE: 

After each long flight on KLM, we were given a Delft Blue porcelain mini version of Dutch houses, which were filled with Gin.  These are beautiful and I can see using them in my Christmas decorating!