Finally, after months of research and planning.we were dropped off at Cape Town International Airport by our friendly Uber Collette and equally amiable assistant Raymond. Check in went smoothly and quickly which left us time to reflect on how fortunate we are to be able to do this type of trip, and have a final meal in SA.

We decided on a Spur burger… don’t judge us.

Then it was time for two long flights, maybe we are just getting old but it was hard and not helped by the fact that even sleeping tablets didn’t help Roy to catch 39 winks.

The final flight was delayed as 10 passengers didn’t board. No big deal but when combined with slow passport control at Amsterdam Schipol and a false start getting public transport to our hotel (two very helpful staff members at the station gave us incorrect guidance) meant we arrived at the hotel a little hot and bothered. Oh, and it’s rather warm here in Amsterdam. But we are not going to complain about the weather!

A quick shower and freshen up and then we took an arbitrary walk to experience Amsterdam for the first time.

Watching locals sunbathing by the canals, dodging cars and bikes (they drive on the wrong side, man that’s hard to remember) and admiring the architecture as we explored various neighbourhoods.

Of course it wouldn’t be a day in Europe without a Gelato, we couldn’t resist.

Dinner was an authentic… Italian craft beer and pizza. Unconventional but we found a little pizzeria frequented by locals only and decided to do as they do. It was a perfect way to end off a very long 24 hours of travel.

Roy