Ok here's the new one.
I'm looking 4 a nice one Margarite. Enjoy your walk.

This one is nice, although not "real", and done by Olaf

Looks great!

Thank you!so much better. margarite

Sorry I have been away. The internet connection went down for a while, only just got it back. I see that Olaf and Rachid may not get off the ground today after all. Annie B.

Wish we had their cell# so we could get a definite status....margarite

Margarite, I know some people on the same flight and I didn't dare to call them, afraid I would get a verry upset person on the phone....

Don't know what KLM is gonna do with the stranded pax...

Such a bummer.....but they'll get there. Bet the airport bars are packed. No dive boats today.

I can imagine that Martin. What would u have to sya?
I guess there will be room on 23:30 flight. So they'll probably fly there 2day. They'll arrive early in the morning. I hope they can fortget about it and enjoy their days.

No boats Margarite, but there are fish

Hi folks, good evening all,
I am just returning from work and it has been terrible. We had to stop all loading and desembarking activities during a couple of hours at the airport because the winds were blowing over 50 knots (100km/h). I wish Olaf and Rachid could leave safely. Time for us to have the dinner. I catch you later if I am not tooooo much exhausted. It really was a hard day !

Martin, Igor, to top it all off... If Olaf wants to go back to Rotterdam, he has a very slim chance of making it if he's gone by train... the NS has cancelled all trains too.

Evening Martine,
glad 2 hear u're allright. I guess this wasn't the surprise u planned 4 Olaf & Rachid.

Such shame that Olaf and Rachid did not make it off the ground on schedule, but here's to hoping they will take off this evening. It will be worth it in the end. What a horrible storm that is on your side of the pond...hurricane force winds...just horrible. Hope no one else is injured and that the damage is done and that no more will happen. CArole

Marc, I don't think he wants 2 come back. I think he'll wait 4 the first chance 2 get out of here.
Did u have any trouble 2day?

Nothing worse than being at the airport all day, only to hear finally that your flight's been cancelled.

No trouble here, our roof held and nothing came crushing through the windows... Didn't bother to shower though

Any news from Olaf and Rachid ?
Let me explain you as an airline employee. Usually the airline ( I mean, a serious airline ) never lets her passengers down. The flight could be delayed (for hours and hours, especially when the meteo is very bad), reported to the next day, or at least cancelled, and passengers, in most of the cases, are fed and sent to hotels if necessary. KLM is a very good airline and will do her best to manage. Believe me, it has been very, very hard today in all northen european airports. airports.

But I'm gonna hurry you to the bathroom in a sec, Marc

Hi everyone... Hoping Rachid and Olaf *will* take off within 2 hours from now....

Martine,
their flight was delayed 2 times and finally cancelled. There is another flight 2 Bonaire by KLM at 23:30. I guess KLM will offer them tickets 4 that flight?

Hi Kitty,
tell me when was Marc's last shower?
Oh, and if he asks u 2 jump on the Veluwe, I would watch out 4 his camera
Have a nice shower!

Igor, O&R had tickets to the 747... the one going at 23.30 will be the MD-11... I doubt they can fit everyone in there...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still stuck at Amsterdam ... looks like hell broke loose here ... haven't seen Rachid so far, but it's bloody mayhem outhere ... zillions of people, Red Cross made some emergency shelter on one of the piers with a few 100 beds ...
No idea whether we'll be able to leave with the 23.30 flight .. it's pretty booked as well, though a lot of transfers will probably not show up (hardly anyone came in today).
If tonite will not work, might consider to reschedule the trip. Things I hear, it would only be possible to fly out no sooner than wednesday/thursday ...

So all in all .. we don't really need to be envy'ed (envied ?) ...
Lugage will probably not be found this week (over 100 flights cancelled gives a bit of bagage-mess).
So .. all in all, if it starts it'll be pretty grunge with nothing but what I wear right now.

Bad thing is, my contacts are in my bagage ... I wonder, is there an optomitrist (dude that sells glasses and contacts) on the island where I could obtain some lenses ??? I know my specs ..
Please help out if anyone can ...
I'll be here only 5 more mins ...

Chrz y'all

Olaf

2 mins left .. gotta head back for the gate in a min. If someone finds out anything about contacts, could some of the dutch send an SMS to me with info ?? (06-21218300)
Low on batterij, so calling maybe would not be smart ..

1min left ..

Olaf, In Dutch: In kralendijk, iets voor de kerk zit een lenzen boer. Sterkte. Als je toevallig ene Reinierse of Van Veghel tegenkomt: Doe ze de groeten.

Martin

thnx Martin !!

Olaf, you might be able to pick up lenses at Schiphol. Many drugstores carry standard spec lenses these days, I would think you're not the first looking for some at an airport.

Anyway, good luck man! Rotterdam is still standing, if you decide to come back. Hang in there!

Olaf, let me know if I can do anything 4 u. U can reach me at my mobile (0651138321). I'll check 4 a eye-guy now. Take care & be safe. Try 2 keep your spirit up!

Is this a trip from hell??

Man, this sucks!
Hope he can still smile.

I doubt if the part about leaving wednesday or even later is true. That means KLM has to pay for the hotelrooms for all the pax. Doubtfull... It must be cheaper to send an extra plane tomorrow.. We'll just wait for the complete story when Olaf and Rashid get back.

All we can do is hope they can leave soon and watch for them on the cams...

Lets hope we will see them soon.
Not much we can do.
I'll upload some Bon-sight...

My surprise for them was a message I sent to KLM checking just to wish the boys a nice flight and happy stay on Bonaire from all BTers...I suppose that due to this sh... at Schiphol, KLM didn't forward the message. The problem seems very, very serious there. I fear the MD11 going to Bonaire with an extension to Quito (or Lima) can't absorb all the 01.00 PM 747 passengers. They may be reported on the Caracas flight too, if delayed...The meteo says the winds are calming now, and the worst has gone, if they do not leave tonight, they for sure will leave tomorrow. Perhaps their flight won't be concelled but just reported tomorrow. Does anyone know if KLM has on online flight tracker ? I couldn't find on their website, and I d not undestand dutch.

I feel so sorry for Olaf and Rachid. They haven't found each other yet either. What a good start for them. Surely it can only get better fron now on. Annie B.

Martine, That's a great idea. I doubt if they have a flight tracker, but I'll take a look. Did you check KLM.nl or .com?

That's right Annie and that's the spirit.
I don't know of a real flight tracker. All I know off is the Schiphol-site. But I suspect that's now what u mean Martine.
They would've loved your surprise 4 sure
Good idea! 2bad they didn't get 2 hear it.

Martine, just checked and I cann't find it either... Maybe on the nortwest site, as they are KLM's partner??

I'm signing off now. Have to get up at 05.45 for another day of work....

(but, only 4 of those.....)

Martin, I agree with you, KLM will not let them down. They will give some hotel accomodation to those who can't go back home, and they probably send an extra flight to CUR/AUA/BON with all the left passengers.
Seems the sunset is not as beautiful as the other days. Must sympathize with Olaf and Rachid's troubles. Folks, sorry, time for me to go to bed. Have a nice night all.

I'm off 2 bed 2. Have 2 rise at 6:00. But that'll be my last day! Sweet dreams all & I hope I can view some sunsets in the morning (will keep the monday-morning-depression away).

Night Martin, and good night Martine. That was a lovely thought of yours, to leave them that message. Annie B.

Night Igor, Hope you get a good nights sleep. Annie B.

Hi all, just got home. U all heard the story from Olaf, it’s unbelievable what a mess it was today at Schiphol. I hope I can get to Bonaire this week. I let u all know.

Olaf what a bad luck for u this week first your car and know this But I think that it all comes around when we are on Bonaire. Let me know when your new departure date is set.

Rachid

Rachid. Sorry you could not get to Bon. This storm has been bad. We have been following both your progress all day, worrying about you both. At least you are safe and sound. Things can only get better from now on. Keep yer chin up. Annie B.

forgot the sunsets.

Sunsets are marginal tonight,Igor.................

But I'd still rather be there than here. Poor Rachid and Olaf....

Hi Margarite. Got dark quick tonight didn't it. Annie B.

Sure did! I hope O and R are able to get going tomarrow......Is it late there?margarite

Margarite. Rachid has gone home. Annie B.