Russia 2019 (70) - Heading Home to KALAMAZOO

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Mike was still not well and not hungry, so I enjoyed the last supper with by then dear friends Jim and Donna from Ohio. Before we left we gave some extra tip money and small gifts to our favorite servers (and room attendant). Then our restaurant servers (Ron, Dasha, and Gemma) gave us a surprise gift of a packet of menus and a pretty wood bead bracelet.

On the way back to our room, I settled our bill at the front desk--Mike's medical tab ($35) and fee for the vodka tasting event. We had pre-paid our tips, so that was not added to our final bill.

This was the view when I returned to our cabin. Sunset out the back.

And a little later out the front toward the Bolshoi (Big) Obukhovsky Bridge.

I finished packing and waited for the early morning alarm and bus ride to the airport. Continental breakfast was served starting at 01:30. Packed bags had to be outside our door by 01:45 for loading and transport.

Bus departure time was 02:45. We boarded at 02:28. For as little sleep as we got, we were wide awake, anxious to be on our way home.

The sunrise was beautiful.

The SP airport was beautiful.

There were four or five checkpoints to pass through to the boarding area. Seemed excessive, but we weren't going to complain. At the last one, however, Mike was detained for about 20 minutes. He does look a little Russian oligarch-ish, but what the heck!!!

They asked him a number of times how much money he was taking out of the country. Between us we had about 400 rubles which is under $6 USD. He was handed off to several people and finally the last fellow asked, "Is that your (bewildered) wife waiting over there?" Mike acknowledged "Yes" and they released him. We both breathed a sigh of relief as we passed under the final "Exit" sign.

Our route was the reverse of our arrival. This time SP (05:45) to Amsterdam (07:50) on KLM. A pretty hearty breakfast was served. For us, it was too early to eat much though.

 Salt and pepper shakers were little Dutch shoes. So cute!

Over Russia we saw beautiful woodlands.

When we did see small cities they were mostly the high-rise apartment complexes like we saw in Moscow.

On our Amsterdam layover we spent time in the Business Class Crown Lounge. We weren't hungry, but sure enjoyed their cappuccino machine. Almost as good has hand-made in Italy.

Then Amsterdam (10:25) to Detroit, Michigan, USA (13:06) on Delta Airlines. This segment was in the Business Class compartment with the personal "pods" with full recline, cushy pillows and comforter, and great food. Among other courses, I had an entree of buratta lasagna with roasted fennel and arugula pesto. Dessert was raspberry macaron cake. Ummmm!

Mike slept much of the time, but I watched these movies. Enjoyed both.

We had an on-time arrival in Detroit. Customs was a breeze as we had our Trusted Traveler passes. As we drove out of the airport we saw the Delta cargo hanger where Mike used to work (although then it was Northwest Airlines).

The drive home was uneventful. The best part was being reunited with our sweet Bella.

What a fantastic trip, but happy, happy to be home!!