Fly first to Jo-berg then try to connect to our flight through Nigeria however there is a representative at the gate saying we need a special visa (US citizens only, literally no other country has this requirement) to transfer through the airport, and since we don't have it we cannot board. We try and figure out what is happening and to get my bag. Turns out they did not unpack my bag so it gets sent to Nigeria. We wound up getting a later flight directly to FRA (where the flight through Nigeria would eventually land). We actually land in FRA before our initial flight and then catch our original flight to AMS. After arriving in AMS we realize my bag didn't make the trip; turns out it got taken off the plane in Nigeria since I didn't make my connecting flight – I was not thrilled about this as I have heard stories about the airlines in Nigeria taking people's stuff from checked luggage and my bag had my souvenirs in it. We get picked up by S's friend and call the airline once we get in to have them get my bag to our address once they get it; until then I wear borrowed clothes from C, my bro's friend. We spend the next few days (my bag comes the next afternoon) exploring their city (Utrecht), watching the Dutch win a match in a local bar (crazy atmosphere, where even they had the bane of my world cup experience – the vuvuzella), going into Amsterdam to have some herring (whole fish – wasn't a fan but gotta try it) and try some Belgian beer from a pretty sweet beer bar, and eventually spend a day on a boat exploring the countryside which was beautiful and an incredible time. S and I say our goodbyes and make our ways back to our respective places (he goes back to work in KZ and I head home).
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| We are just chilling in the lounge trying to get out of South Africa. Having access to these lounges definitely helped with the travel experience. |
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| Finally got into AMS and got on a bus from our friends' place to check out the town a little bit. |
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| Me admiring the beers at the Belgian beer bar we came to in AMS (I believe it was called gollem. |
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| The AMS gang with our beers. Great time though that first day was brief as we had a full day of traveling under our belt when we got there. |
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| Going back into AMS for the next day for a proper day of exploration and fun. |
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| Saw these people on the water chilling in a recliner. Not sure exactly what was going on but I deemed it funny enough to capture and share. |
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| Taking a boat tour of the canals and going through a small tunnel. Extremely pretty. |
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| There was an old sail boat in the marina that we came across as part of the canal tour. I believe that building behind it is the maritime museum. |
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| Helping my friend out. The urinal we are using comes out of the ground at night so people have public restrooms to use during the times people go out. I love this idea and think more cities should adopt these in high concentrations of bars so people are not tempted to relieve themselves on buildings, fences, etc. |
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| Sean got defeated by Craigy after we got back to his place. Oh what a night! |
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| My bro and I standing in front of a pretty garden as we explored their area. |
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| We are on a boat! We took a boat out for a bit to explore the inland waterways and go to a few towns. |
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| Sean found a windmill. They are cool little buildings. |
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| Dutch countryside. Not too shabby. |
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| Looks like we are coming up on civilization. Though didnt know people still lived in tents. Tents the size of houses. |
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| Back in civilization at the next town. Those cars get awfully close to the water. Pretty towns abound. |
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| My bro and I on the boat having a drink and enjoying the great day. This was the last day of the trip. The next day we were on planes back to our lives. Wonderful trip with a fantastic friend. |
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