So in frustration I turned to Twitter:

me: Hotels in Kenya are *#^%&*# expensive I tell you
usagijen: the question is, Kenya afford it? *ba dum psh*

Bad jokes are bad.

23 December : Hong Kong to Amsterdam
Depart 00:05
Arrive 05:45

24 December : Amsterdam to Nairobi
Depart 10:20
Arrive 20:25

25 December : Nairobi to Kilimanjaro
Depart 07:30
Arrive 08:30

I get a full day (29 HRS!) in Amsterdam which is great! Spending the night in Nairobi? Not so great. But the only other alternative was a 1hr stopover in Nairobi. It wouldn’t be a problem except when it comes to checked-in luggage, I have terrible luck.  So 1hr? I really doubt they can get my luggage over in time, and unfortunately, I need my gear… you know… to climb Kilimanjaro.

Getting back to Hong Kong isn’t as bad:

3 January : Kilimanjaro to Nairobi
Depart: 20:10
Arrive: 21:10

3 January : Nairobi to Bangkok
Depart 23:55
Arriving 13:35 (Jan 4)

4 January : Bangkok to Hong Kong
Depart 18:40
Arrive: 22:25

Ok… 5 cities, 5 countries. That’s a pretty grueling flight schedule! But, I bet I’ll be sleeping the whole time on my way to back from Africa (and the HK-> Amsterdam is a midnight flight for a reason, ie I should be sleeping!!!). An added bonus is that I’ll get Amsterdam to myself! Apparently its a ghost town during Christmas over there, but that won’t stop me from enjoying it.

My goal for the one day there?

1. Find a way into the city
2. Find breakfast
3. Find a coffee shop and enjoy a nice hot drink
4. Take a lazy afternoon stroll around town, enjoy the empty city.
5. Have an early dinner at a small restaurant.
6. A quick evening drink.
7. Head back tot he hotel early.

That is probably the laziest mini trip I’ve ever planned. Speaking of which, I don’t have any hotels booked yet. I’ll save that for later (procrastination wins again!)