Amsterdam - The First Stop

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Ok, so having been dropped at Victoria Station I began my journey through Europe, starting with a coach from London to Amsterdam. Though I almost didn't, noticing only at the last moment that everyone else seemed to have proper tickets rather than a printed confirmation and I actually needed to check in for the coach! I'll put that one down to nerves!



I spent the journey in fractured sleep, (not enjoying having to disembark the coach on the ferry, from what I'd convinced myself was a comfortable position to sleep in despite being face first on the chair in front!) and speaking with Peter from Birmingham, who had kindly pointed out my earlier mistake!



Overall not a bad journey and well worth the £14 and saved plane costs. (Departed 9.30pm, arrived 9.00am).



I spent the day wandering around vondelpark and settled into my only night of booked accommodation in a nice hostel near Leidsplein. There I met a couple of Finnish guys and a lovely girl from New Zealand. She's taking a similar route through Europe so it'll be interesting to see if our paths cross again. It was an early night after a lot of travelling.



My two friends then joined me this morning (6th) and after some drinks and a bit of a smoke they head off to their campsite. Unfortunately despite my best efforts I didn't manage to get tickets to the Open Air Festival to join them so have booked into the cheapest available hostel in amsterdam (note: £9-12 a night for a dorm bed during the week, this weekend your lucky to get a bed for under £50).



As I was arriving at the hostel a procession of about 25-30 armoured vehicles, police cars, fire engines and ambulances with police bike escorts drove down the road, all blaring out there sirens. I have no idea why it was happening but it was quite a sight and the racket was incredible.



It seems nice though and I currently have an 8 bed dorm to myself though I'm sure I'll have some company over the weekend.



So after travelling straight through France and Belgium to Holland and a couple of days spent in (what seems to be my most common destination abroad!) Amsterdam I'm midway through the first of my Cities. It's been a good start and there's plenty more to come. Bring on the rest of Europe!



8th June: thought it was worth adding that meeting people in the hostels has been great. Spent this morning with a guy from Sweden discussing politics over mango juice and am settling in to watch game of thrones this evening with a couple of guys from Cornwall Who are also on an interail trip.

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Photos

In the park

The first hostel

Comments

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You have been planning this trip for years!
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