Homebound: A Dash Through Amsterdam and a Heart Full of Memories

Our final morning in Bergen started just as the others had—with one last breakfast at the Radisson Blu. After eating, we packed up and caught our 10:30 a.m. shuttle to the airport, saying goodbye to the cobblestone streets, colorful rooftops, and cool sea air of Norway.

The ride to Bergen Airport was smooth, and we made it through security without issue. We boarded our KLM flight to Amsterdam and settled in for the first leg of our trip home. On all of our short flights, they served sandwiches as part of tradition - made with fresh danish bread.

But things got a little stressful once we landed in Amsterdam. Our layover was originally just an hour, and due to delays, we were left with only 49 minutes to make it through the airport and onto our flight back to the U.S. With no time to spare, we grabbed our bags and booked it to the gate, speeding through customs thanks to an expedited line. The girls were absolute rockstars—focused, fast, and full of hustle. We made it just in time—the last to board, but we were on.

The long 10-hour flight home was mostly uneventful, until halfway through when there was a medical emergency onboard. An older gentleman needed attention. Once we landed, we had to wait to deplane so that he could be safely assisted. It added some extra time at the end of a long day, but we were all just thankful everything turned out okay.

And just like that—we were home. Tired, and jet-lagged. We explored cities, fjords, museums, amusement parks, and trails. We tried brown cheese, fish stew, donuts, and reindeer sausage. We played cards in cafes, raced through airports, and walked cobblestone streets together.

It was the kind of trip that reminds you just how big and beautiful the world is—and how special it is to explore it as a family.