We didn't get up real early but early enough that we could get some breakfast. Deb2 met Edward at 9:00 to go look for some compression socks for the flight home. He took her to an army surplus store and had some success, although they look like old granny socks. Then we went to the grocery store right next to the hotel to get some water and coffee. I did some shopping in the hotel stores and got a dress, a new carry-on bag (to replace my torn backpack) and 2 shirts for the grandsons. We went back to our room to pack everything up. I put my carry-on stuff in my new bag and put the ripped backpack in my suitcase. I haven't had to use the expander on my suitcase yet so I have plenty of room but not sure how much weight I have. We put all our suitcases in the lobby. Our plane didn't take off until about 11:00 pm but we had to check out of our hotel rooms at 11:00 am.
Now it was shopping in earnest time. We went to a little shopping area right behind the hotel where prices were cheaper. I used up almost all of the schillings I had left. Got gifts for co-workers, a drum for Oliver's birthday, some coasters, and a picture frame. Deb2 let me put the drum in the big cargo bag with her baskets. Hopefully it doesn't get smashed on the plane. We put the rest of our purchases in our suitcases.
It was time for some cooling off and food, so we found a spot at the restaurant right near the water. We had some cold drinks and when everyone else eventually joined us we had lunch. Mary and I shared a Hawaiian pizza. While we were eating lunch, we helped Deb1 compose a Facebook posting to ask for donations for the science equipment that the school needed for their exams. They need about $3000 which the Image Project doesn't have. We're hoping that social media will help us raise half that much. Edward is supposed to get the other half from Tanzanians.
We were getting very hot so we found an ice cream store and had some ice cream to cool off. It was such a hot day again! Then Edward said he would take us shopping over by the SeaCliff hotel where we were last night. We piled in the van and drove over there. We looked around a little but there weren't many stores open (it was a national holiday), so we decided we should just eat an early supper and not wait. We ate at the SeaCliff again out in the wind and sea spray. Deb2 & I shared some chicken breast and french fries. Very good. We asked for our checks right away so we were out of there soon after we were done eating (one of our fastest meals yet).
We came back to the Slipway Hotel and some of us changed clothes and freshened up in Edward's room (he was staying there another night). We waited with our suitcases for a taxi to show up. When the taxi came, the four of us (my DSH ladies) went in the taxi and everyone else went with Edward. Traffic was not bad so we were at the airport in plenty of time. Russ & Mary thought they had first class tickets on the same flight as us, but the ticket counter had no record of it. The rest of us made it through all the baggage, security checks and customs. Deb2's cargo bag had to get all taped up before they would take it, but it looked like it would be safer that way. We waited in the lounge and had something to eat and drink. I got some t shirts at the gift shop. Russ & Mary1 did finally get their tickets. Turns out the agent on the phone had taken all their credit card info, but had forgotten to actually charge their card. Mary1 needed to be able to keep her leg straight, so they are hoping their travel insurance will cover the cost. The finally did get their tickets and they were on our flight to Amsterdam.
It was 8 1/2 hours to Amsterdam. I sat next to a woman from Switzerland but didn't talk much. Too tired. I didn't sleep much on this leg. I watched a movie, then dozed on and off for a few hours, then watched another movie. We actually landed a 1/2 hour early with "priority status' because there was a smoke smell at the back of the plane. We had to stay in our seats about 15 minutes while they checked things out. Then when we exited, there were fire fighters at each door. Not a reassuring feeling, but nothing was wrong. A few days later, we got an apology email from the airline, explaining the situation and that we were never in any danger.
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