I know you all have been anxiously awaiting our vacation moments...so here it goes...
The weather leading up to our departure was not looking so good. Snow and freezing temperatures were paralyzing airports across Europe and we were just praying it would clear up enough for us to reach our destination - we had been looking forward to our trip for a couple months! Departure day, December 21, started with snow in Stavanger, and not just a little bit!
After checking and double checking and triple checking our flight statuses, we took off for the airport and things were looking pretty good. We checked in, dropped our baggage and proceeded to wait while keeping a close eye on the departure boards and our Blackberries. The flight from Stavanger to Frankfurt was looking good, but then we discovered the flight from Frankfurt to Prague had been cancelled. I proceeded to get in line with dozens of other folks to try to reschedule our flight and figure a way to get where we wanted to go. Spencer went off to try to retrieve our luggage...After a what seemed to be a terminally long wait, we made it to the window and the only option they had for us was to go from Stavanger to Oslo, Oslo to Copenhagen, and Copenhagen to Prague...we took it. Amazingly, Spencer also managed to get our baggage back too! We were back in business!
We patiently waited for our new flight and boarded the plane. Our layover times were tight and we were crossing our fingers. Well, unfortunately, things went sour about this time...our flight was a little late, but we thought we would make it until...the airport halted departures to clear the snow from the runway...crap...and then after 30 minute or so wait for that, we made it over to de-icing - another 15 minutes. Add that to the already slightly late flight and we were screwed.
We made it to Oslo and frantically searched the boards for our flight, but we were too late. So, it was back to the terminally long line to reschedule again...We stood there for a while and finally got to the window and the poor guy took one look at us and at his computer and heaved a big sigh because he immediately knew the airline was going to lose money on us. Four complimentary overnight kits, a hotel room voucher, and dinner for four voucher and off we trekked over to the hotel for dinner and a decent night's sleep. We had early flights to catch...
We enjoyed a lovely dinner and a nice room and set our alarms for 4 AM. We had to be back in line to check-in for our flights by 5 AM. We arrived at the airport at 4:45 AM hoping the early flight time would be in our favor and it wouldn't be crowded...ummm, NOT! The line for check-in was wrapped around and around...we panicked because we had no time to spare! Watching the minutes tick, we finally got to the front of the line to find out there was a problem with our tickets...through all the rescheduling, somehow an important number was left off and the guy took off to try to "get it sorted out." More minutes ticked by and by this point we are thinking we are going to miss our flight out of Oslo. Frustrated would not even begin to describe it! Eventually the guy returns with all the necessary slips of paper (by now, I have multiple boarding passes and slips of paper and an array of other documents I am trying to keep track of.) We still have to get through security with another huge line and our flight is being called to the gate for boarding. We make it through security and take off for our gate with just moments to spare.
We heave a sigh of relief and start praying we get off the ground and to Copenhagen in time to catch our next flight. Thankfully, it was only a few minutes behind and we somehow ended up in first class which means we got a little breakfast! We get to Copenhagen and rush to our next gate with a few minutes to sit and take a breath! Once we got on this flight and the wheels lifted off the ground, we knew we would be able to salvage the trip with only one lost day and tour! WHEW!!!
Oh, and imagine in all this chaos, me trying to call our tour company's emergency line to let our ground transport know of all the time changes and when we will arrive so they will be able to meet us at the airport...cancel one of our tours (the one I had specifically planned for Spencer - the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour) and make sure our hotel would not be cancelled...yep, fun times!
Our next order of business, try to find our luggage...the fates must have aligned...we landed in Prague and immediately went to make a claim for our luggage figuring it surely was now lost...we looked through all the bags lined up...not there...I get to the window and start trying to explain when I see Spencer coming with not just 1, but all 3 of our bags in tow! What a shocker!!! They arrived on the same flight we did! Things were looking up! We head out of the baggage claim and YES! Our driver is there waiting for us! We have a vacation to get to!
The driver is great - points out some sights and tells up some tips about the public transportation - and drives us to the front door of our hotel who has our rooms ready to go! Yes, I said rooms...harder to find "family" rooms in Europe, so we had two rooms this trip which worked out okay. We dropped off our bags, bundled up, and set off to make up for lost time! First order of business, lunch!
We walk a little bit taking in the sights and come across a restaurant that looked good, served beer and traditional Czech food, and had a only a short wait...we got in the queue! AHHHHH...yummy Czech food warms the soul and lifts the spirits! We enjoyed a hearty lunch and then took off for some more wandering!
Right near our hotel was the Old Town Square and a big Christmas Market. We headed over there and took in the atmosphere and much to our delight, found horse and carriage rides there in the square. Kyla had been promised one since we didn't get to in Salzburg, so that was at the top of our list! We enjoyed the tour around town via carriage and then spent a little more time in the square before heading back to the hotel for the night. We were all pretty tired and needed a good night's sleep! We had a tour the next morning...!
Attached are a few pictures. Lots more to come...so stay tuned!
