10 April 2019
Our customary cup of tea in bed this morning well before the 7:00 alarm. Peter sent a text to Chris and Ruth wishing them a good flight while they were being taken to the airport by Phil.
Alison had a long soak in a very hot bath while watching Sky News before we went down to breakfast in the restaurant next to reception.
There was a fantastic selection of fresh fruit and even low fat yogurt so much so that we did not need any cooked breakfast, a slice of toast and plenty of tea was quite sufficient. The level of service was extremely good and certainly knocked Hilton into second place.
Afterwards, we had a walk outside, looking at the brand new BMW’s which were on display. Going back into reception, we discovered that we could check in and drop our luggage at the hotel, saving a long haul over the walkways to the Terminal. Back to our room, finished packing, checked out of the hotel and then dropped our bags at a very pleasant BA checkin desk in the lobby before heading off to the terminal and straight through fast track, as unbeknown to Alison, Peter had upgraded the flight class to Club Europe as part or our celebrations.
We bought some papers and then walked the length of the terminal from fast track at the north end to the BA lounge at the south end, with a hour to spare before we needed to be at the gate. Breakfast had been so good that all we wanted was a glass of water, though perhaps we might be tempted to some coffee and a nibble later on.
Pete managed a frittata and some coffee and Alison managed a cup of Earl Grey!
Thats it for now, second chapter once we have arrived at our hotel in Amsterdam.
We left the lounge shortly after 11:00 and found our way to Gate A15, where we were soon ushered to our seats. We pushed back on time, but waited for 20 minutes in the queue before we were airborne.
When the trolley came past we asked for champagne and then revealed that it was our anniversary, for which the staff were most congratulatory. Our meal was a beef or tomato & mozzarella salad. The flight was so short that the staff were waiting for Alison to finish her second glass of champagne whilst we were making our descent. Then to our surprise, they presented us with four bottles to take away with BA compliments! Despite the long queue at take off, we landed on time.
Once off the plane, we walked for miles mingling with the departing passengers until eventually we arrived at the baggage hall and after enquiring of the customs men, managed to find our luggage on belt 2.
We were greeted by a posse of Viking reps and ushered via another long walk to our car transfer, together with two passengers who had flown in from Dallas. Another Viking rep greeted us at the hotel and gave us some information about our stay in Amsterdam. Then up to our room where we sent another text to Chris confirming our arrival, before chilling out for a while and having a cuppa to revive us.
In the plane, Alison had discovered that she had lost a rear stud from one of her earrings, so we went downstairs and asked our rep the way to the nearest Svarowski shop. Down the the canal across the bridge and through Rodin square to Kalverstraat, a very busy commercial street. We arrived at 5:40, just 20 minutes before the shop closed at 6:00. The assistant identified the missing piece and gave us two spares, gratis.
On our way back, Chris phoned as they has just returned to our hotel, so a few minutes later, we met up in their room and shared some champagne before heading out for dinner at Kapitein Zeppos, a busy restaurant tucked away down a sidestreet that we had by chance spotted on our way back from the shop.
The restaurant was very friendly and we enjoyed a delicious meal, with no time pressure, before heading back at about 10:00 pm.
Tomorrow we go on our walking tour in the morning and the Rijksmuseum in the afternoon.