Well after leaving Paris we headed for Amsterdam. Caroline and I decided instead of doing the whole Eurail thing we would do Busabout which means we selected a two loops around Europe and we can hop on and hop off whenever we want (as long as we book the next leg). The buses drop you off at hostels that they recommend (and they are usually pretty cheap) and give you advice on what to do. I didnt know what to expect after Topdeck but I was happily suprised at how easy and well organised the first leg was.
Once we got on board they gave us swipey cards so we just swipe on for the rest of our trips. They also gave us a lonely planet guidebook and a little booklet that gives us info on the places and what we can do there. There is also a guide on each coach that can recommend things to do and sell us tickets to tours cheaper. The buses are pretty much the same except they have a little spot you can put your headphones in and listen to the movie, music or radio. So it was a pretty comfy journey from France to the Netherlands.
Once we arrived in Amsterdam we checked into our hostel called the Flying Pig. It was right opposite the Vondel Park which is like Amsterdams version of Central Park in NY. It was in a residential area just slightly away from the clubbing district so it was a bit quieter then the last one I stayed at. The place had a really cool chill out area where you could watch TV, drink or a seperate smoking room. Having the smoking room seperate was a godsend for those of us who dont smoke because that way you dont walk out of the place smelling like weed.The plan was this time to do a little bit more cultural stuff and a little bit less partying - as last time it was the final stage of our tour so it was all about the drinking.
That night we decided to have a bit of a walk around the red light district as Caroline hadnt seen it.When i say we had a bit of a walk around it i mean that totally literally. We got lost trying to find it and spend 45 minutes wandering the streets only realising when we pasted a chinese resturant for the second time that we had actually walked straight through it twice. In our defense the ladies werent out and the lights werent on and the last time I was there i was completely wasted. Caroline couldnt convince me to go to another sex show so we just had a good wander round and checked out the ladies in the window and all the funny things in the sex shops. Its amazing the type of people you see walking around. We saw all the boys on bucks nights or wild weekends, old men on business trips, a pregnant lady with her husband (walking right past a coffee shop we were like seriously lady!) and people like us just checking it out as well as many of the men going in and coming out of the doors.
The next day it was pouring down with rain so we decided to have a nice lazy day inside. I know I said a bit more culture this time but im telling you sometimes a lazy day is just what you need. We spent the morning reading and chilling online before heading into town to see Sex and The City 2. Since we were having a girly day we followed the movies by traditional dutch pancakes and coffee in a cute little cafe in a side alley. It was really relaxing to do something with a bit of normality like you would at home. I know that im in Europe and probably should be seeing a museum or something but seriously being on the road for a few months makes you miss little things like movies and coffee with friends. Im loving my life right now but when you are away you sacrifice those normal social things without realising how much a part of your life they are.
That night we were just bumming at the hostel when we met some girls from our tour and headed down to the bar for a drink. The girls were from California and we got to know each other over a round of Kings - the drinking game. Its good to know that this game is international and can be played anywhere there is booze and cards. So far I have played it with the yanks, kiwis and poms. Its great to see what different rules they have and i have definately picked up some good ones along the way. I also picked up a few normal card games and some more drinking games which means I will be set for the future backpacking trips to come. It was also really nice to make friends with the Cali girls because they were going to be on the next few stops with us - and making friends from around the globe is part of what backpacking is all about really!
The next stop was Berlin and I will fill you in very soon. Im slowly catching up on what ive been up to!
The next day it was pouring down with rain so we decided to have a nice lazy day inside. I know I said a bit more culture this time but im telling you sometimes a lazy day is just what you need. We spent the morning reading and chilling online before heading into town to see Sex and The City 2. Since we were having a girly day we followed the movies by traditional dutch pancakes and coffee in a cute little cafe in a side alley. It was really relaxing to do something with a bit of normality like you would at home. I know that im in Europe and probably should be seeing a museum or something but seriously being on the road for a few months makes you miss little things like movies and coffee with friends. Im loving my life right now but when you are away you sacrifice those normal social things without realising how much a part of your life they are.
That night we were just bumming at the hostel when we met some girls from our tour and headed down to the bar for a drink. The girls were from California and we got to know each other over a round of Kings - the drinking game. Its good to know that this game is international and can be played anywhere there is booze and cards. So far I have played it with the yanks, kiwis and poms. Its great to see what different rules they have and i have definately picked up some good ones along the way. I also picked up a few normal card games and some more drinking games which means I will be set for the future backpacking trips to come. It was also really nice to make friends with the Cali girls because they were going to be on the next few stops with us - and making friends from around the globe is part of what backpacking is all about really!
The next stop was Berlin and I will fill you in very soon. Im slowly catching up on what ive been up to!
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