Holland In Nine Minutes

It can only be a good thing that more and more airlines are plying from India. KLM, for instance, is an excellent way of getting to Europe, with the wonderful inbuilt option of having a couple of nights in Amsterdam before doing what you have to do.

- Simon Hayward

Of course, KLM is not a new airline; in fact, it can be described as the world’s oldest airline as it hasn’t had a name change since the 1920s. It merged with Air France several years ago, which escaped me at the time, but it does mean even better connections.

I was spoiled with a business-class seat, an unmitigated joy after all these years (since marriage, children and penury) of turning right. I could almost believe again in the romance of travel. The excellent wine list certainly helped. The food was good too, though I made the mistake of choosing their vegetarian breakfast. I should have known that dosas die young and cannot be reborn by being reheated.

Somehow, the Dutch get away with little bits of kitsch like their salt and pepper pots in—yes, you’ve guessed it, I’m sure—clogs.