Amsterdam

I left Hamburg around 2:45 pm and got to Amsterdam, 460km later, around 9 pm.

The weather and driving conditions were some of the worst that I've ever experienced... sleet, patches of snow, monsoon style rain and gusts of wind. And then oddly, I would suddenly find myself in patches where the weather was absolutely fine. Like it hadn't rained or snowed at all.

And despite the conditions, I was having people go past me like I was stood still. Probably explains why I saw half a dozen completely totalled vehicles; emergency services definitely had their work cut out today 😬

Oh, and one really memorable piece of driving... Coming to the outskirts of Amsterdam, where the speed limits are usually in the region of 80-100 km/h (50-60 mph). I come around a sweeping left bend, to my right is another road which is joining this one. Both roads, almost completely empty apart from me.

It was at this point that my life flashed before my eyes... well, I say my life... It was a grey Audi (looked like the RS variety)... But they were clearly taking as much of a straight line as possible, which involved nearly taking the front of my car off, as they went past. Probably around 150+ mph.

That certainly got the heart rate up!

Park & (maybe don't) Ride

Earlier on in the day, I'd sussed out roughly how I'd be getting into Amsterdam. Rather than pay extortionate prices to park in the city centre, the plan was to go to one of the Park & Ride stations and then catch the public transport in.

However, for this to work out even remotely cost effective, you have to do certain things:

1. Park up
2. Get a GVB P&R Return Ticket
3. Use public transport to get into the centre
4. Use public transport from the centre, back to the park & ride
5. Purchase your parking within an hour of the public transport

Great. That's nice and simple. Oh, apart from the fact that you can only get the GVB return tickets from certain P&Rs. (You can also use an OV card.. but 🤷)

I found the most suitable car park. All was looking good. And the sat nav took me pretty much straight there.

Only, that when I got there, there were a number of temporary road signs up (and my Dutch is non-existent, and there was a few cars behind me) so no time to stop...

I fumble my way through, eventually going through the entrance barrier and being issued a ticket.

I park up and get my kit out of the car. I look around - no obvious way out of the car park. No signs, no nothing. I walk around and eventually find some doors.

All this time, wondering if the ticket I was issued from the barrier is what I need for the public transport. Nothing on the website really made it clear.

I get outside. I can't see any signs for public transport

I ask someone. They think they know, but aren't sure, but say I should just try the ticket on the tram. Nah, don't think so, I thought. The last time I messed up with tickets, the driver just grunted at me and gestured for me to get on.

I ask someone else. They seem to know more and point me towards the ticket machines (hidden, and right in the middle of a different, mahusive, floor)

I eventually get there, read the instructions. Great, now we're getting somewhere.

But then. Nope, I'm informed that I've not come through the P&R entrance. I've gone into a different part of the car park, which is, ya' know, for the other sort of parking 🙄. And now the signs I saw on the way in are starting to make sense.

I check, the website is showing that this P&R is closed - there's been a technical issue at 3 of the P&Rs. 😭

If I can't get this P&R return ticket, I'll be charged extortionate rates, even parking here. At this point I seriously consider (and even check to see) if there is an earlier Ferry, leaving tonight if possible. There isn't. The earliest is tomorrow at 2pm. Either way, I'm gonna need to find somewhere to get my head down

I drive out (after paying for my short, and rather unnecessary stay). Go into the suburbs and park up. Read through loads of the P&R website pages - Eventually I manage to determine that there's just one P&R car park remaining which sells the GVB ticket I need. Great! And it's showing as open. But... It's also saying it's in Amsterdam's environmental zone. I've no idea if this car meets the criteria, but a load more hunting around, I think it does 😬

I decide to risk it... But when I get there, there's huge gates blocking the entrance. It looks completely locked up. At this point I'm really not sure what to do. I'm seriously tired and it seems I've run out of options.

But then, I see there's a small green light above one of the gates.

Could it be open? I drive forwards, and low and behold, I trigger a sensor and the gates start to open . It's not closed after all! 😰

As soon as I get in, I get out the car, check all the nearby entrances - there's multiple. But I managed to find the specific P&R barrier.

I get parked up. Go to the ticket machine. It won't work. FML.

I find another machine. This time it works. Finally!!

I find the tram. Travel 30 minutes into the city centre. Then a five minute walk to the Generator... Well, that was simple 😂

The Generator

The moment I walk through the door - I can hear a fire alarm going off - there's people running around all over the place. It's absolute chaos. Okkaaayyy...

After ~ 30 minutes of pandemonium, it turns out to be a false alarm - apparently someone was smoking in their room 🤦‍♂️

I get checked in, go up, and go to have a shower. It's at this point that I realise, in all the commotion, I've gone and left the bag of clean washing in the boot of the car. I thought my rucksack was light.

Fortunately, I've got enough bits and pieces to see me through for the next day or so. Pants inside out & back-to-front if needed.

Enough's enough - I get my head down.

The Ramble

Considering it was around 01:30 when I eventually went to bed, I was up relatively early. I walk out to a grey sky and drizzle. The forecast is for rain throughout the day, but more-so in the morning.

Before long, it's gone from meh, to not too bad at all 😃

I stop off for a quick coffee - These coffee shops are something else. It's like a cross between Ikea and a greenhouse. Love all the greenery!

I continue into the city, getting caught in a few heavy showers, but spirits are high.

After a good few hours, the food gremlins start to kick in. Determined not to just go to any old food outlet, I begin my search. There seems to be a fair number of 'completely full' or completely empty' places... which is often telling.

I eventually stumble across a super nice cafe / restaurant down a back ally. Kapitein Zeppos - If you're ever over here, I highly recommend checking it out. Staff, food & atmosphere were fantastic.

I think of all the cities I've (probably ever) visited, Amsterdam is up there, if not, at the top. There's something about it. It's stunning, the coffee shops, the atmosphere, the history & architecture, there's loads to do, the infrastructure is spot on.

After a good few hours of wandering around, my feet are feeling it, so I jump on the tram and get back to the Generator.

Thank you Amsterdam. You, yet again, haven't disappointed. And to think, I was about to skip this part of the journey and head straight home.

What a great end, to a fantastic trip...

Well, Almost...

Rude not to, right

So... after finishing my lunch, I might have sat there, had a pint & looked up to see if anything was on. On a weekend. In Amsterdam. 😏

Of course there was... 😁