Woke up over Belfast Ireland an hour before landing. Had a light breakfast then onto the ground in Amsterdam on time at 10:15 a.m. local time. Great flight, slept most of the way and we gained 8 hours from Edmonton. Customs was a breeze, then off to claim our luggage, which was still in Minneapolis or so we were told. Because of our short layover in Minneapolis the luggage never made the plane. Filled out the forms at Lost Luggage and took possession of the paperwork. We were assured our luggage was probably on the 2 o'clock flight from MSP or at the worst, tomorrow morning on the 10:00 a.m. flight. This brought back pleasant memories of our last flight into Amsterdam in 1990 when our luggage caught up to us after four days. This could be a problem as we are to be on the open seas in three days!

From there we found our way to the Connexxion Shuttle booth and purchased our tickets for transport to the Nadia Hotel in downtown Amsterdam where we planned on staying for the three days before the cruise began.

After a pleasant thirty-minute drive we arrived, to be met by none other than Bert and Laverne, who had arrived in Amsterdam at 7:00 a.m. They were across the street from us when our shuttle pulled up and were amazed by our packing prowess when we disembarked with only our carry-on luggage. They weren't quite as amazed when we told them the rest of our luggage, three overstuffed suitcases, were still in transit.

  

We checked into the Nadia Hotel by their very friendly and efficient receptionist at 12:30 p.m. The lobby was 37 narrow, steep stairs up from the street (with no lift!) and would have been a challenge for the climbing-challenged but presented no problem for our fit little group, especially as Lee and I had no bags to haul up. Couldn't take possession of our rooms until 2:00 as they weren't ready, but no problem for us as our unpacking wouldn't take more than three minutes, tops! There are advantages to having no luggage.

  

Having some time to kill, we walked the half block down to the Di-Ann Hotel where we were to meet Carole and LeVerne's Connexxion Shuttle when they show up on Saturday. Had a pleasant lunch in the Di-Ann's restaurant, then strolled down a couple of blocks to locate the Times Hotel where Carole and LeVerne were going to be staying for their night in Amsterdam as the Nadia was fully booked when they tried to reserve.

Arriving back at the Nadia at 2:00, our rooms were ready and with keys in hand we made our way to our room. Our room was on the lobby floor, so we didn't have to climb any higher. Bert or Laverne however, wanted a quiet room away from the busy street below, so they ended up two floors higher up at the rear of the hotel with a lovely view of a brick wall.

      

Our room on the other hand, while cramped but comfortable, was next to the breakfast room, had a very nice balcony overlooking the Keizersgracht Canal, a wonderful view of the Westerkerk (a church built in 1620 with the tallest tower in Amsterdam) and a birds-eye view of the Homo Monument (a bit more on that later).

    
  

We had a pleasant little surprise after settling into our room. Our receptionist showed up with a bouquet of fresh flowers for Lee with the same for Laverne two floors up. Nice touch. But even though we both slept well on the flight over, the traveling caught up with us and it was time for a two hour nap before rejoining Bert and Laverne for a wander downtown.

Somewhat refreshed, we hooked up with our traveling companions for the fifteen minute stroll over to Dam Square, the center of downtown and the location of the controversially phallic National Memorial statue, erected in memory of Dutch soldiers and members of the resistance who died in World War 2.

Our walk took us past the impressive Magna Plaza which was originally the main post office but converted into a huge department store in 1991, the Dutch Royal Palace which was built as the city hall in 1648 but converted to the palace for royalty in 1808 and the Nieuwekerk which means New Church but really one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam built in the 14th century.

        

From Dam Square, it was down to Centraal Station, one of the main railway stations of the Netherlands then onto the waterfront. This gave us our first view of the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam where our ship would be docked in a day or two.

  
    

On the walk back to the Nadia we stopped for dinner at a little Pannekoek Restaurant that served authentic Dutch pancakes. Pannekoeks with chorzio and cheese for me and pannekoeks with chicken and cheese for Lee. Reminded us of crepes and very good. Arrived back at our hotel at 8:30 p.m. to very good news … our luggage had arrived! Evidently our bags were on the two o'clock flight and Osam, the hotel owner (to whom I had given our lost luggage paperwork), had called the airport most of the afternoon to check for arrival and then made arrangements to have them delivered. Not only that, but one of the hotel employees had lugged the suitcases up the staircase and to our room. Our luggage was a few hours behind us, but no harm done.

We went for a bit of a walk along the nearby canals after unpacking. Found a Delft Factory Store a block from the hotel for Laverne, who was commissioned by Denise to pick her up a piece of the famous porcelain while in Amsterdam. It was closed but this was good news for Laverne who had visions of traveling 50 kilometers or so to the town of Delft to accomplish her errand. Finally back to our hotel for an Ola Magnum ice cream bar, some reading, then off to bed at 10:00. Long day, but we were happy with the outcomes.