The day prior to our departure for Portland was the pet departure day. Pepper was first to head out to her doggie hotel and spar in Therwil. She was excited to go spend time with her friends on the farm.
Here she is packed with her favorite blanket with her favorite toys.
After Pepper it was Jack's turn to head to Allschil for the Kazen hotel.
This was his first time in a different home and meeting some other oldie cats in his room. He did spectacularly well and settled in immediately.
The following day or more accurately a continuation of the previous day which only finished a couple of hours earlier, started at 3am and getting out of bed was definitely a struggle. Maybe finishing work at 1am wasn't the best preparation.
Kids were excited and actually got out of bed. The taxi was on time and did not hang around heading to the Basel-Mulhouse flughafen or airport.
Early breakfast time at 4:30am at Basel
The shortish flight over to Amsterdam was interesting with all of us sat separately in different rows. Hayley did very well being sat on her own. Even when the flight was a little bumpy over the final 20 minutes on the descent she was not rattled or disturbed anyone.
In Amsterdam airport we went through the immigration and additional security checks for US destinations and crossed terminals without too much trouble. There was even a couple of hours to spare. We spent some of the layover time acquiring some snacks for the main 10 1/2 hour flight to Portland as plane food isn't always to Hayley's and Ryan's tastes or standards! While I did the hunting and gathering through the terminal Ryan and Hayley kept themselves busy at the gate making use of the charging stations for the electronics.
Arrival in Portland was a relief after so many hours being cooped up, even better we were met by Andi and auntie Beans! Kids were very excited to see them.
Now the holiday can begin...