The final push
It would have been rude to have left the Netherlands without first experiencing some night-life (not that sort 🤪).
The search earlier had revealed that Hollt was playing in one of the clubs on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Sounds like a plan!!
An hours ride on the trams & train, I arrive at the station. A ten minute walk, finds me at a warehouse with a petrol station next to it. I see loads of people stood outside, and I can here the melodic thump of the bass from inside.
I walk up to the entrance, to the guy on the door, who's probably in his early twenties, who kinda looks like he's checking tickets... After a brief interaction, he realises I'm English, and asks me...
You here for the Salsa??
At this point, I clearly think he's taking the piss. Urrmm no, I'm here for the DJ. 😏 At which point he looks completely confused. Fortunately, one of his mates leans over and explains how I'm at the wrong entrance (Of course I am - with my luck, it wouldn't have been any different 😂). Apparently, he was being completely serious, and by all accounts Salsa in Amsterdam is really popular with that age group.
A brief walk around the side, brings me to the entrance...
Looks alright! But I get inside to find a truly underground, warehouse vibe. I think I love it 😅
Throughout the night it gets busier an busier. Finally, Hollt comes on and delivers a brilliant set. The place is absolutely going off.
By ~ 03:00 I'm thinking about calling it a day. I've still got an hours ride back to the Generator. Fortunately, I make good time to the bus stop and the night bus is just a few minutes away (missing this would have meant an hours wait)
The Journey Home
I wake up around 9am... Feeling surprisingly fresh, considering the fairly active night. I go down, check out of the Generator and embark on the journey home.
Whilst waiting for the tram, I start chatting to an old chap who's waiting for the same one. Turns out he's 82 and was born and raised in Amsterdam, but later travelled and lived all over the world. Whilst we chatted, there were a few times where he would say something and then just pause, stare off into the distance, clearly reminiscing on the past and his own journey.
The tram arrived a few minutes later. He looked at me and asked if I'd come and sit opposite him, which I was more than happy to do... Right up until he got off, in the centre of Amsterdam, we continued to chat and discuss the current state of affairs around the world. Honestly, this was an amazing interaction, and one that'll I'll remember for ever.
I can't wait to come back to Amsterdam. I truly love it.
The Park & Ride Epic
Time to find out if I'd got this part right!
I arrived at the park & ride and walked up to the machine. If I've got this wrong, it's gonna have been an expensive few days of parking!! (In the region of 90 Euros 😬). I go through the steps. And wait... beep. 12 Euros! Get in! Result!!
I get to the car, throw my kit in the boot, and off I go...
The first part was a relatively short; an hour long blip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam.
I make it to Rotterdam with plenty of time to spare. And then it's into the giant mouth of the P&O ferry...
A delightful 7 (ish) hours later we're docking at Harwich.
And then it's on to a 4.5 - 5 hours of driving in the dark & rain, back to. Exmouth.
Around midnight, I'm starting to flag... it's time for a 20 minute power-nap. Then it's off for the final push.
I arrive home ~02:30.
That's it. Journey done. ~2,500km of driving and five major cities explored over the last couple of weeks.
Not gonna lie... It's definitely been stressful at times. But it's definitely been worth it. I've got some amazing memories and met some great people along the way.
Until the next time...