Flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Schiphol International Airport Netherlands

Schiphol International Airport Netherlands

Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport  (AMS) is a good place start your trip to Europe or connect to the far corners of the earth. Flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from the US to Europe gives you plenty of good flight options. You get good flying times  and good connections.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (merged with Air France) resulting in another major hub in Europe which is Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Delta Airlines (merged with Northwest Airlines)  partners with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to provide most of the US side of the connections to Europe. Major hubs such as Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport (MSP) makes connections to Europe a breeze.  For an example an easy connection from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to either Minneapolis or Atlanta and then non-stop to Amsterdam.

AAmsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Once you get into Amsterdam, you can connect to pretty much anywhere in the world. There is even a non-stop flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL KLIA1 or KLIA2 Malaysia), which then connects you to pretty much anywhere in the Asia Pacific region.

 Amsterdam Schiphol Railway Station

Amsterdam Schiphol Railway Station

Amsterdam Schiphol Train Station is the place to start your train connections. You can even connect to Belgium right from Schiphol Airport Train Station.

Amsterdam Centraal Train Station Netherlands

Amsterdam Centraal Train Station Netherlands

Amsterdam is only like 20 minutes away from Schiphol Airport. Take a train to Amsterdam Centraal Train Station from which you can get on a train to pretty much anywhere in Europe.

 


Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Jacket and Vest for Travel

It is amazing how many things you can carry on either in the vest of jacket from SCOTTeVEST. It is like having extra carry on bags. You can carry all your valuables by loading them in these bags. No need to take out everything every time  you go through the security screening at the airports. Simply send the vest or jacket through for screening. This way you will not lose your personal valuables when you are experiencing jet lag and have to go through for security screening.

Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Jacket and Vest for Travel

Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Vest for  Travel

Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Vest for Travel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Vest for Travel

The SCOTTeVEST Jacket has many hidden pockets as well. It also will keep you warm on flight. It is comfortable to wear and looks smart.

Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Jacket for Travel

Anti-Theft SCOTTeVEST Blue Jacket for Travel has many hidden pockets to keep your valuables safe. You can even store your tablet inside this jacket.


Anti-Theft Travel Bobby Backpack

This is an amazing backpack that is designed with zippers on the insides. So when you carry this backpack, there are no exposed zippers on the outside that someone can easily unzip and get into your stuff (for an example in a train, elevator or subway or some other crowded place).

 

Anti-Theft Travel Bobby Backpack

The zippers are hidden on the inside. There are also  small hidden side pockets to keep small stuff for quick access. There is even a pocket on the harness for your train tickets etc.

Anti-Theft Travel Bobby Backpack

Anti-Theft Travel Bobby Backpack

Nice clean look with reflector. Notice you cannot find any zippers on the outside.

Anti-Theft Travel Bobby Backpack

Anti-Theft Travel Bobby Backpack

The bag is neatly organized with separate slots for laptop, electronics etc and also has hidden pockets.  You can connect your phone to an external built-in plugin. The plugin is then wired internally so you can connect it to your battery safe inside your backpack.


Dubai International Airport

The world has become a much smaller place. Most flights to the Pacific Rim are usually via the US West Coast.  Of course you could fly from Chicago, USA via the North Pole over China to say Hong Kong. Do consider another way to get to the Pacific Rim via Dubai. You would have then circumvented the globe by going over Europe, Turkey, Iraq and the Persian Gulf to get to Asia or Australia. Qantas and Emirates have partnered to offer codeshare flights. Transiting via Dubai Airport to the Pacific Rim was easy. There is no need to leave the airport. Just relax and take a break and you will be on your next flight to your final destination.

New York to Dubai

Flying Emirates Airline New York (JFK), USA to Dubai (DXB), UAE and beyond

The new Dubai (DXB) Terminal 3 is a beauty. Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world.  Flying Emirates Airlines is an experience. Food was great and the planes were new. The flight attendants were multi cultural and fluent in multiple languages. Most of them looked like models. Emirates passengers can eat at their lounges. The buffet was good and complimentary.

You will find both Western and Asian toilets at the Dubai International Airport. You can get all the modern conveniences of shopping in Dubai. This airport is like a huge mall with many places to both eat and shop. While you wait to board your next flight you will have plenty to do. You can get around the airport and everyone serving you was able to speak English.

You can also people watch. East meets West.  You can hear languages from all over the world. Shops are staffed by mostly foreigners from outside of United Arab Emirates. You can find the whole world transiting through this airport. A sampling of people groups, for an example Americans, Europeans, Africans, Asians, Middle-Easterners,  Central Asians, Russians, Indians, Indonesians and Australians. Watch people with different ethnic clothing headed to different destinations, for an example some dressed for pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

There are also spas, health centers, medical facilities and hotels within the airport. Dubai International Hotel is located in Terminal 3. So the airport is pretty much a “city” of its own.


Lewis and Clark Expedition Kansas USA

Lewis and Cark Expedition camped here at the confluence of the Kansas and the Missouri Rivers.

Lewis & Clark Kansas USA

Lewis & Clark Kansas USA

You can get a view of downtown Kansas City skyline from the Kaw Point Park, Kansas.  See the rivers flow gently bye. You can see the Missouri side (downtown Kansas City) from the Kansas side of Kansas City. Ponder what this place would have looked like when Lewis and Clark camped here.

Lewis & Clark Kansas City USA

Lewis & Clark Kansas City USA

Take a short trip into Missouri side of Kansas City to see more of Lewis and Clark’s historical trails.

This monument is located by Case Park, Kansas City Missouri.

Lewis and Clark Monument Kansas City Missouri USA

Lewis and Clark Monument Kansas City Missouri USA


Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City South Missouri USA

Quiet place close to the busy Kansas City.  It is located right off I-435. The hotel has a small cafe where you can buy food. Not too far from Burger King and McDonald’s for quick meal or breakfast.

We love the hot tub and pool area. It leads into the quiet courtyard. Safe place for kids to swim and for family to take a break.

Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City South Missouri USA

Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City South Missouri USA

Short drive to Minor Park where the Oregon, California and Santa Fe Trails crossed the Blue River.

Blue River Parkway Trails can be accessed from here. Lots of trees which turn really pretty in the Fall.

Minor Park Blue River Kansas City Missouri USA

Minor Park Blue River Kansas City Missouri USA

Minor Park Blue River Kansas City Missouri USA

Minor Park Blue River Kansas City Missouri USA


Butterfly Grove Inn Pacific Grove California USA

Nice place to stay while exploring the Pacific Coast Highway, Carmel By-The-Sea and Big Sur. Pacific Grove is a good stop with fun things to see and do. We stayed at the Butterfly Grove Inn where the deer roam in the parking lot right outside our room.

Butterfly Grove Inn Pacific Grove California USA

Butterfly Grove Inn Pacific Grove California USA. It is next to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and very close to to Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row and Pebble Beach.

Butterfly Grove Inn Pacific Grove California USA

Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States of America.

Point Pinos Lighthouse Pacific Grove California USA

Point Pinos Lighthouse Pacific Grove California USA

There are various points around Pacific Grove along on Ocean View Boulevard that is simply stunning.

Lovers Point Park Pacific Grove California USA

Lovers Point Park Pacific Grove California USA

 

Point Pinos Pacific Grove California USA

Point Pinos Pacific Grove California USA


Edelweiss German Cuisine Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Authentic German Food in a beautiful setting with live music on the weekends. We asked the musicians to play the Edelweiss song from the Sound of Music. They did and one of the musicians sang the song while he played his German Accordion.

 

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

You can sit outside during nice weather and and enjoy a German Beer Garden (Biergarten) experience.

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

The restaurant has beautiful German decor and you can even buy souvenirs.

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

Edelweiss German Restaurant Colorado Springs USA

The menu has real authentic German and European Cuisine. Don’t forget the desserts. Recommend the Apple Strudel for sure. You cannot go wrong on your choice. You may have to loosen your belt as you are not going away hungry!


Compass Cove OceanFront Resort, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

Myrtle Beach South Carolina USA

Myrtle Beach South Carolina USA

Myrtle Beach South Carolina is a fun family destination.  Lots of families with kids just enjoying the water. Food and lodging are reasonable. You can even walk to the McDonald’s from the beach in your swimming suit from the Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort where we stayed.

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Compass Cove had its own entertainment including a mini water park, arcade and several swimming pools.

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Our room had a beautiful ocean view. You can view the sunrise from the balcony. A beautiful way to start the day.

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina

We walked right to the beach from the hotel. It felt safe and it was fun to get right to the beach from the hotel. It made washing up later so much easier.

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Compass Cove Myrtle Beach South Carolina