We’re OFF!

We’re OFF!

We decided that it was less painful NOT to try to sleep, with a 2.30am taxi. We watched Tv till late, and so it was no bother to be ready for the taxi at that hour, though I wouldn’t want to do it too often… Also, the fastest trip ever to the airport! (20 minutes flat)

On the KLM website, they insisted we get there THREE hours before the flight, due to all the COVID palaver to be gone through. This was a load of b***ocks, as there was NO STAFF at the check-ins at that time! Mind you, we were first in the queue, first through security, and first to go through Duty Free (LOUD pop muzak at 4am - NO thank you!!)

But what a treat in the Business Class Lounge - a machine that churned out soft, fluffy, hot, perfect pancakes!! You just pressed a button. What an invention. 

We then had a couple of hours to spend in Schipol Airport lounge (NO pancake machine). I dozed off and when JR woke me I got such a fright, dreaming I was at home on the sofa and all these strangers were sitting around. Though not as traumatic as JR’s experience in the toilets. When she came out of the toilet, she noticed the opposite wall was lined with urinals. She assumed it was some new-fangled, continental unisex ones, and was greeted by a man who said, ‘Good morning, madam’… Yes. She was in the men’s toilets, and departed sharpish.

A pleasant flight to Lisbon, with a most excellent lunch. And then the fun began! We waited for half an hour to collect five ‘missing’ people from the flight. I think their luggage didn’t arrive. But we eventually got to the pier, where there were A LOT of people going through the documentation to board the boat. We had a covid test there, and then had to sit and wait for the result. ALL CLEAR! There were dozens of charming Portuguese people in dark uniforms helping, but it was quite a job. People were getting very fraught, but it was all forgotten once we settled in to our cabin and then went for dinner. A few problems with internet access…

Fabulous food and we were plied with champagne all evening by a naughty waiter. The staff are wonderful - cheerful, friendly, and ready for fun. LOVING IT SO FAR!

Spot the cute little salt and pepper clogs with KLM.