Day 15: Mon 8 Oct - Amsterdam

This was the traditional MEPS host nation’s military visit day. McDonalds was open for an early breakfast and we arrived at the RAI with plenty of time to spare before boarding the bus for Ermelo, about an hour north of Amsterdam. There we visited the 400 Medical Battalion. The unit consists of a staff section, two hospital companies, and three mobile (deployable) hospital companies. There were 34 of us on the bus and we were met and welcomed by Major Chin and his team and were treated to morning tea in the Mess before visiting the various elements that make up the hospital.  Then, it was back to the Mess for lunch, and as it was concluding, a number of speeches were made. 

After making our way back into Amsterdam to the RAI, we all said our good-byes and went our separate ways. 

As Jane and I were attending the Japanese Reception, we took a slow walk to the Okura Hotel and arrived a few minutes early. As the Closing Dinner is held on this night at every Congress, the Japanese Reception does not go for too long, and therefore Jane and I were ‘home’ early enough to take a breath and get ready for dinner at the Chinese restaurant on the corner down from our hotel. Greg and I shared a Peking Duck meal, consisting of three courses. Greg couldn’t even finish it off it was so large and reasonably priced as well.  Needless to say, as it had been a very long day, dinner did not last long and we were soon all in bed. 






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