Off to the Netherlands

 Here we are, in the Netherlands, visiting Aaron, Kylie, Mia, Abi and Raphy.     It is really lovely being here again.

Of course, we did not realise when we booked the plane tickets that there would be huge problems in the Middle East, but luckily we had booked flights on Turkish Air, who codeshare with Malaysian Airlines.    Therefore we travelled on a Malaysian Airline plane to Kuala Lumpur, and on Turkish Air planes to Istanbul and to Amsterdam.   We had originally planned to travel with Qatar Airlines but they were too expensive.   Luckily!

However, it was still a little scary, due to Trump making announcements that America would flatten Iran, which he did not, of course.    Our time spent in the lounge in Kuala Lumpur was dampened by the constant news alert on the television.  

Walter looking very happy, in the photo below, during breakfast at the hotel at Adelaide Airport.    It was lovely staying there, the night before the flight, as it meant we could have a leisurely breakfast before walking across to get our tickets.

We also were able to meet Andreena the night before, when she returned from her two weeks in New Zealand.  

Due to getting older we decided to fly 'Business Class' last year.  Of course this is a luxury, but now that we know what it is like, we can no longer go back to 'Economy'.   So getting a good price is so very important.  

All ready to go, and feeling very relaxed and happy.

Walter's walker was booked as luggage, all the way to Amsterdam, which was not our preferred option.   Last year he was able to use it until the cabin door, where it was taken down to the hold, and returned to him once we landed in Doha.    

So this time he had to rely on wheel chair assistance, which was very good, except for one thing, the speed through security.    We were always in a priority lane, due to the Business Class tickets, plus fast tracked due to wheel chair assistance.    Trying to organise all our bits and pieces as we sped through security was quite challenging, and Walter nearly lost his watch at one point.   I also had to run to keep up with the wheelchair pusher!

As we left Adelaide, Walter is also looking very relaxed and happy.

There were many Emirates planes sitting at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, going nowhere.

In the past we have travelled extensively and independently and it is very difficult to find we now have to rely on other people.    So not only do we travel through an airport at a very fast pace, we also have to wait for staff to arrive with the wheelchair.    

We have always liked to leave plenty of time to board the plane.   After pacing around, and annoying the staff at the lounge in Kuala Lumpur, the wheelchair assistant eventually arrived with what I could see as barely enough time to catch the plane.    My heart was in a flutter.    

The staff members were very calm, and totally relaxed, and reassured us that all was fine, and to stop worrying.

The same thing happened in Istanbul.   We were due to board the next plane and we had not left the plane from Kuala Lumpur.    'You will be okay' was the response from all staff members.  

And it was!

My lovely mushroom soup, set on a beautifully laid out table, with linen and good cutlery.    

Mood lighting and very cute salt and pepper shakers.

Once we arrived in Amsterdam we knew we would be fast tracked through immigration, in front of the queues of 'others'.    We were looking forward to that.

But we were delayed, for a very long time.    No fast tracking here.    All due to a woman who had a disagreement with the electric buggy driver.     He told her that her disabled husband could ride in the buggy but she would have to walk (run) behind it, as there was not enough room.    She pointed out that I was sitting on the buggy!   Oh dear.   I sat there looking very innocent.  She then took a photograph of the driver and said that she was making a complaint.    He told her to remove the photograph, and of course she would not.    Stale mate.

So we all waited for the supervisor, who did not turn up.   Eventually we were told the supervisor was by immigration, so we moved off, with the woman now on board, as there was a spare seat!   Then we waited at immigration for the supervisor, who actually was very supportive of everyone and managed to sooth all parties, and the woman deleted the photograph.   

An interesting half and hour or so.     

Finally we were through immigration and collected our luggage, and most importantly, Walter's walker.  Independence!

Fantastic to meet Aaron on the other side of arrivals.     And then to go to their house to see Kylie and a welcome cup of coffee.

Our apartment is on the top floor, under the eaves, so I have to watch my head when I get out of bed.

The eaves on my side of the bed.

Our view, with the bike lane in front, and shopping centre and flats on the other side.

Malaysian Airlines was, as usual, very good, and it was lovely to fly with them again.   However the surprise was Turkish Air, which we cannot fault, with comfortable seats/beds, excellent food and friendly, helpful staff on the plane and in the airport.