6/8/2016

Left the hotel at 1300 hours and got to the airport at 1320.  Got our boarding passes at the kiosk but soon found out that we can’t actually check in until 1500 h.  So we are sitting out in the main terminal for a couple of hours.  Once we are able to check our baggage, we will start through TSA… the lines look quite long so it may be a while before we are able to get through.

Once we get through, we will be able to get something to eat and find a place to sit and relax.  The outer ticketing area is not meant for people to sit down… limited seating for sure!

At about 1530 we checked our baggage and went to TSA security area.  It took us 25 minutes to get through but it wasn't a problem.  Our Boeing 777 boarded and took off on time and the premiere economy seats were excellent.  The flight took 10.5 hours or so and it was quite comfortable although neither of us slept very much.   We passed through the immigration area and got our passports stamped but our luggage is going through to Amsterdam (we hope)  - I wonder if we have to go through customs in Amsterdam?

Should be leaving Charles de Gaulle airport in about one hour for a 1.5 hour flight to Amsterdam. We will be tired tonight but that is ok as we get to Amsterdam just in time to go to bed!!!

Our adventure really begins tomorrow with a walking tour of Amsterdam.

Below is a satellite image map of part of Amsterdam showing where our hotel is located relative to a couple of the important museums we want to visit.