Plus one solo in Europe

Arrival 1730 Norway time after a lovely, short, 80 minute flight on KLM. I was beyond shattered. I'd just ran 2km through the Amsterdam airport and knew after this, my third and final flight, I'd be in Norway.

I devoured the delicious cheese, mashed egg and rye sandwich I'd been offered during the flight. I'd long given up trying to work out what meal I should be eating at what time and transitioned to a "Whatevs. Try everything on offer. If you don't like it or don't want it. Don't eat it." Eggs on aerial travel though. A story for another day.

I wondered briefly if the baggage handlers were as adept as I was at moving their arses to ensure my suitcase made the connecting. After 45 sad minutes watching the bag drop. I knew in my gut. They were not at all adept. Their sense of urgency was not to prioritise Melissa's connecting luggage to next flight. Nor did they care I was to leave on a cruise the very next day. In fact, I realised, they didn't care about me at all🤣.

I'm not going to colour this up. I cried. Uncontrolled tears. I was lost without a map. I needed clean undies. I needed my clothes. I needed my Dad. Eventually, in the empty baggage terminal, I found another human and sobbed to the customs official. I'm sure they thought I was crying through fear of being caught with contriband. Not this trip. Please and thank you.

Missing luggage report lodged. The KLM officer, eyeing my damp face and sniffles from my tears, jokes. "I thought Australians were meant to be tough?" I was embarrassed. But also. Bitch. I'm made of concrete. I just need sleep. Food. And a hug.

Heart sunken and anxious over the looming prospect of the balance of my trip in one pair of jocks, I head in a taxi to my hotel. I checked in. Then I checked out. 7.30pm. Proper bedtime for the ageing and, apparently, tired, hungry and emotionally broken folk.

A broken but adequate sleep, I rose at 4.15am (Norwegian time), and put my plans in place. Run. Food. Food first. Run. Then finish up work. Watch The Block finale! Luggage. Find. Clean undies.

I was caffeinated and fed at 5am, thanks to the incredibly kind concierge at the Radisson Blu, Bergen, Norway. He made me a double cappuccino. Retrieved 4 pieces of fruit. And extended my checkout time to all day, free of charge. Australians are so kind and friendly, he tells me. So are Norwegians, mate. Thank you.

I ran. It was exactly what my body needed after so many hours in economy on the plane. I smiled during my run at the irony of my new self 😄. Who'd have ever thought this would be my priority?

I dined. I expressed gratitude and knew things would work out.

And they did. Luggage delivered to hotel around 1300. Checking in 1530 to Havila Capella. Cruise to see the Aurora Borealias.

Norwegians and Norway. Beautiful.

Reunited and it feels so good 😍. I missed you suitcase and contents of my life for the next month. I missed you.Read more