Back to Cali

After our journey home with KLM we were expecting a similar very poor experience on our trip back to Cali, Colombia. We had an overnight stop in Amsterdam airport where we stayed in a Yotel, a Japanese concept where you get a basic (and small) pod to sleep in. It was actually OK, a tad expensive but also comfortable enough for one night especially when it means you stay airside cutting the stress the following day.
Airports are my pet hate, they are now one of the worst travel experiences you can take part in, using the threat of terrorism as an excuse the staff now use their perceived power to de humanise, bully and intimidate members of the public travelling by air. You dare not complain or you will be arrested and banned from flying ever again, its a ridiculous situation but if you want to fly you must comply with their over the top rules.
We paid a bit more (quite a bit more) for more legroom as on the flight home the long haul had less legroom than the Easyjet flights I normally use in the UK. In the end the flight was fine. Mega stress at Panama as we watched the baggage handlers abuse the luggage going on to the plane. one poor sod had a flat screen TV going on, not sure how many bits it would be in when it got to Cali. We had no confidence our luggage would arrive but amazingly it did, first we saw the tyres then the suitcase with the Scottoiler and Forth Gear sticker appeared on the belt. Relieved we then went through Customs expecting some hassle, we were after all taking tyres and spares in, I explained the situation to the customs and declared the goods, the lady listened and then waved us through, no problem, no tax and we have our spares. A taxi back to our Hostel and a beer ended a long, stressfull at times but successful return back!

Scotland the freezing!!! Snow still blocking roads

A sunny but cold Schipol airport

Leaving Europe again

In flight entertainment

Passing Puerto Rico

Artistic I thought! 

 

Our tyres and Spares back in Cali !!

 

Now all that remains is to check our bikes and gear are still OK, change tyres, mudguard on Fi's bike, fill up the Scottoilers (thanks guys) have a day to chill then head back on the road!