March 17: At the Albuquerque Airport

From L to R: Scott (Chaperone), Joi (Chaperone), Vergena, Estefany, Alex, Lucille, Margaret, Augusta and Karen (Parent)

What we are most looking forward to:

Vergena: It is my first time being out of the country. I can't wait to visit three different countries!

Estefany: I look forward to visiting different places and trying something new in Paris

Alex: I look forward to seeing the Eiffel tower with my own eyes.

Lucille: I can't wait to see the Mona Lisa painting.

Margaret: I am very curious about the history of these countries.

Augusta: I am looking forward to being in Amsterdam and seeing Anne Frank's house and the canals.

France-Belgium-The Netherlands 2016 Itinerary

Thursday March 17 (Travel to Paris): 

• Travel from Albuquerque to Paris

Friday March 18 (Paris):

• Arrive Paris  Check in, walk around and adjust to time change
•  Arc D’Trimophe
• Seine River Stroll

Saturday March 19 (Paris):

• Norte Dame
• Seine River Boat
• Catacombs
• Luxembourg Gardens

Sunday March 20: (Paris):

• Louvre
• Eiffel Tower
• Grand Palace

Monday March 21 (Paris):

• Versailles Day Trip

Tuesday March 22 (Paris):

• Monte Mare area
• Bastille
• Visit School for the Deaf,
• Eiffel Tower
• Paris Night Lights

Wednesday March 23 (Travel to Ghent, Belgium):

• Train to Ghent-explore Ghent
• Check in hostel
• Gravensteen Castle
• City Center/Old Market Area

Thursday March 24 (Ghent):

• Day Trip: Brugge Choc Truffle Cooking Class 
• Explore Brugge (City Square, Canals, Frites Museum, Fish Market, Belfry)

Friday March 25 (Travel to Amsterdam, The Netherlands):

• Explore Ghent-Canal row, Graffiti Row,
• Depart for Amsterdam via Train

Saturday March 26 (Amsterdam):

• Anne Frank House and Museum
• Explore the city

Sunday March 27 (Amsterdam):

• Easter Sunday.
• Visit city market and walk around

Monday March 28 (Amsterdam):

• Keukenhof Tulips Garden
• Rjksmuseum

Tuesday March 29 (Near Amsterdam):

• Zaanse Schans (windmills),
• Waterland

Wednesday March 30 (Near Amsterdam):

• Day trip to Rotterdam: The Hauge/Delft/Gouda

Thursday March 31 (Travel to Albuquerque):

• Amsterdam - Albuquerque

April 19-20: Bangkok-Albuquerque

April 19: Today was our last day in Thailand. We were set to depart for Beijing at 7:35 pm. We went to the Royal Dragon Restaurant. This restaurant holds the Guinness World Record for the largest restaurant. It can serve up to 5000 people!

After we ate at the restaurant, we went to the airport and said farewell to our guide and driver. We will miss them. Fortunately, this time, no one missed their flight, whew!

April 20: We arrived Beijing at 1:30 am. After some lengthy paperwork with the Chinese government, we were able to leave the airport and go to a hotel to grab a few winks. We finally got to the hotel and slept at 4 am. We left for the airport again at 9:30 am and ate breakfast there. The airport in Beijing is very modern, beautifully designed and huge! We took off for LA at 2 pm and arrived the same day at 11 am (we crossed the International Date line.) This was the longest day of our lives for most of us as 13 hours was added to our day.

Thanks to our wonderful school secretary (Clarissa, a big shout-out to you!) and a kind-hearted soul at Southwest Airlines, we were able to cut our layover from 8 hours to 5 hours. We were thrilled as it took us some time to get through customs and get something to eat. We only had to wait a couple of hours and then we boarded the plane to New Mexico.

There's no place like home. Thank you all for your support.

Until the next trip,
NMSD International Studies

In front of the Royal Dragon Restaurant

Proof we are not making things up!

Outside the Royal Dragon

Farewell Thailand!