Euro trip July 15/16/17/18

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15/7/14

I love the mornings. Not every morning but mornings that are just for me.

I’m sat in the reception area which doubles as the bar and lounge. The breakfast table is set up and ready. Our hostel host is asleep on the side across from me I believe she was watching Dr Who in French! Amazing!

The rest of the world seems to be asleep around me. My dorm has 7 beds but only 4 of us in there. Bed girl (American, forced a smile at me yesterday and deemed to stay in her bed chatting with someone unknown) is across from me on a single bed. To my left is another American girl, very attractive. Only met her as I went to bed so no time to know more. To my right is a guy with flowing dark hair a full beard ( I’m only a little bit jealous!).
Sleep came quickly for me last night. I’m glad I bought my wool buff it makes a great blind fold and the drum & base from downstairs gently rocked me to sleep. Only thing I wish I’d done is properly remove the sand from me feet. Sandy bed isn’t the best.

I woke just after 7 and after a few mad seconds of searching for my key. I made my way to the beach for some air and early photos. The sky is over cast again, the sun hidden behind low clouds of varying greys. So now I must eat but I wonder how I wake a sleep French Dr Who Fan? What’s Exterminate “a la francaise”?

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Breakfast was pretty terrible but expected that as I enjoy it so much at home. Milk here tastes strange but the coffee tastes good so there’s a balance. Collected my bits from my room - everyone still sleeping so lots if difficulty prepping my gear in near darkness.

A small shuttle bus service is provided to Amsterdam which took about 40 minutes.
Still amazed by the toad system here. Motorway is 5 lanes in both directions are separate lanes for buses too. I’m now certain that children here are born with a bike between their legs. Everyone rides and all are filled with blond confidence. They ride with and into oncoming traffic absolutely certain that the vehicles will change direction. I’ve yet to see a single accident but plenty of brake squeals.
Oh and the signals to cross the road are fascinating. You’ve got the little red man and a count form to when it’ll change green. However green man goes not mean safe crossing no!!! It means - yes you can cross, the chances of getting hit are lower now but watch out still for cyclist and the occasional driver who just ignores all signs.

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My first stop was the train station, about 5 minutes walk from the shop off point. I have my accommodation in Munich but I needed to reserve a place on the night train to Munich. Found my way to customer services and had to take a ticket & wait. My ticket C167, ticket being served C112…FUCK! Gonna be here a while. Thankfully a short time later a wonderful man game me his ticket C150 which cut down my wait time & I was able to reserve a bed on the night train. I’m going to Munich….but not yet first we do Amsterdam!!!

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I grabbed a Starbucks and began walking. It seems that every public area is being built into or onto in some way. In this case the train station was having a bus station added to it!!! I walked past the largest stretch of water between Amsterdam & Noord. By now the weather was very similar to home - grey, damp and fine rain falling intermittently. I continued through shopping areas and tourist groups. Seems to be a lot of people smoking here, must a new brand because the smoke smells quiet unique!!!!

I walked towards Anne Franks House to find a que of biblical
Proportions. I decided against waiting and instead found her front door. It was filled with a constant stream of tourist taking pictures in front of a plaque proudly displaying “Anne Frank Huis” I decided against this and instead captured the only thing I was certain was there when Anne was and that was the house number 263.

I moved away from the crowds and walked along small side streets and cannel paths looking for all the things that no one comes to Amsterdam for. I was lucky to see so great things look for the pictures on here soon.

I’ve now retired for a late lunch and to rest my feet. The McDonald’s has a quick order system!! Possible going for a canal tour this afternoon but weather is dependant.
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Spent my afternoon going around a few place from this morning and exploring a few new ones too. Started to get a lot of discomfort in my shoulders but I had added a lot of weight to it so I expected that. Weather very changeable so hard to predict. Managed to cool down with an ice drink only to then feel cold afterwards?

Got the shuttle back to hostel which included some made driving and a crazy sing along to snoop dog! After a long day a shower is the best reward and the ones here are great so that was really nice.
Got some food from a local take away - fish and chips; great fish, very dry batter but I got ketchup and tartar sauce with it which I wasn’t expecting!
There’s been some kind of school orchestra show happen here - the students that we’re failing at drinking games last night were part of this. Seems a new group shows up each night. So enjoyed my food with some nice classical music - rare experience.

I’ve decided that this is currently the country with the most attractive people in it! They are unbelievable, and this goes for both male and female elements. I feel woefully out of my depth in all areas. But if nothing else it’s made this part of my trip more enjoyable.

Now editing my pictures and getting this post together with a beer. Tomorrow is my last day here so gonna spend some time here chilling and then getting things sorted before heading into Amsterdam to look at some last bits before my 8:30pm train to Munich!

*Just as I was about to post this when one of the guys I’d met yesterday came over, Brad is a web developer from North Carolina. Brad shared to see my pictures I’d taken from today. He really like them and I was soon going through my whole portfolio with him. It was great to explain my photos to someone. To share my ‘gift” with someone who is actually interested. Love this feeling.*

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16/7/14

Another beautiful morning in The Netherlands. With my only set goal for today being my train to Munich I am able to relax a little and take a leisurely pace.

Toast and coffee to get me going, surrounded by Americans & Germans. I love the different customs for food. Plastic cheese or chocolate sprinkles on toast is quite normal here.

My original plan of staying around Noordwijk for the majority of the day have come unglued as the shuttle bus I was relying on is fully booked.

So I am now travelling by bus to Leiden Centrall (Lie-den Central). Then a train to Amsterdam. There is a park just up from the station so I hope to spend sometime there.

I have enjoyed my brief time in Noordwijk. It’s a beautiful coastal area. The beach has a gold award and I can understand why. I’m certain that during the school holidays it will explode with visitors. I’m sure I will return here in the future.

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Bus journey was shorter than I expected and I soon found myself on a station awaiting my first European train ride. The trains here are electrified from above and many of them are two floors as well. I found a seat on the upper section and then watched the world pass me by. Endless houses with boats and mooring attached to each garden.

40 minutes later & we pulled into Amsterdam. I sought caffeine and chocolate at the platform Starbucks and marvelled at the wood carved ceiling and chandeliers that illuminated the room. I researched Amsterdam as I did not want to retrace my steps from yesterday.

I headed South from Amsterdam, moving along the streets with a clear route and destination in mind. I captured random images as I progressed. About 30 minutes walk from Amsterdam is Vondelpark. A public park adorned with path ways for bikes and people. Lush green lawns intermittently broken up with ponds and lakes of varying sizes.

By this point I has been walking non stop for about three hours so I took a break at pub/restaurant within the park. The day has stayed bright, sunny and hot throughout so an hour or so in the shade was a welcome break.

I made my way around the remaining quarter of the park and then look to
return to the main area of Amsterdam. Just to the right of the central station is another park area - Westerpark. Smaller than Vondel, wester is surrounded by water so is very popular with the boat owners and users. I walked around and admired the various groups that gathered in the park - random musicians and slack liners and the occasional boat passing by with champagne drinkers at the helm.

It’s nearly 6pm now. My train is about 2 hours from now so I’m going to find some food and money. Not sure what to expect from this evening. I’ve reserved a bed in a four birth room. I have no idea whom I shall be traveling along with? It’s the sense of unknown adventure that is encouraging me to go and do more.

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Wow what an evening already. Got some food in me and grabbed a coffee as I uploaded my pictures from today. Not sure when the blog will go live as there is no wifi on the train.

Yeah so got on my night train, found my cabin with relative ease. I was soon join by an American couple who are on their honeymoon traveling around Europe. Curtis and Tracey are from Colorado and they seem pretty cool although Tracey seem unsure of train travel. We departed Amsterdam and passed through a number of small towns. A German lady joined us at Arnhem I’ve haven’t gotten her name yet. The ticket inspector came round and was displeased as we had moved bed - Curtis and Tracey wanted to sleep across from each other. I tell you now I’ve had people shout and scream at me. I’ve been verbally abused by the best but an angry German women beats them all she was scary as hell. Not gonna mess with her!! So after the ticket drama we continued on arrived into Germany!! From the people I’ve spoken to so far it seems a lot of passengers are getting off at Stuttgart or Stuttergart as the Americans are calling it(?). Apparently that’s at 4am! I don’t think I’m gonna get much sleep tonight.

Well it’s nearly 11pm now and I starting to feel the day I’ve had. I hope I’m able to get some sleep. I arrive in Munich at 7am and my accommodation isn’t available until 3pm!! Anyway it’s meant to be an adventure and each element is more exciting than the last. Until tomorrow.

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17/7/14

I was right. I didn’t get much sleep. The night train was cramped and uncomfortable. Not the worst night sleep I’ve ever experienced but it’s pretty high on the list.

I’m thankful for my wool buff which I used as a blind fold to block oh most of the light and the noises around me. It’s was more the train movements that awoke me sporadically throughout the night. I was fully awake at around 6am and wearing the clothes I had slept in I disembarked at Munich for my first day in Germany.

By this point I was feeling pretty rough. I grabbed a coffee and a croissant from Starbucks and slouched into an uncomfortable chair. The apartment I’d book was about 20 minutes walk from the station. I couldn’t check in until 3pm which was around 5 hours away but I wanted to confirm the location and just get a general idea of the city.

Munich doesn’t have the same feeling as Amsterdam. Where as there you had old and new sat beside each other, here the old has been removed. Tower structures of glass fill each street and this places feels more like a collections of banks and insurance companies. As I moved through angles streets and dodged the continuing trend of cycles and cars whom all ignore the signals and traffic laws and seem to rely on horn and weave to travers every intersection. To my left I saw a might statue, I decided I’d head there once I had confirmed my accommodation.

One thing I’ve quickly learnt here is that if you don’t speak German then good luck to you. Where as Amsterdam had a trio of announcements in varying languages, here thing are stated in German and that’s it. This made finding my apartment difficult, I’m only thankful that the receptionist spoke good English and was able to confirm that I had the right place.

I made way around the corner to what I now know as Bavaria park. A large construction had begun in the main park area in which 7 large structures were being assembled. I later learned that this in preparation for Oktoberfest - which impressed me as these building were close to 40ft high.

Behind the construction stood the statue I had seen earlier - Bavaria. She stood with a lion by her side on a stone platform. This statue must of been close to 70ft a breathtaking sight that towered above the area around her. So it made perfect sense to climb inside and see the view from the top…big mistake.

The winding stone path way through the base was cool and easy, but as I reached the metal section the heat increased ten times. At her head the stairs became a steep cramped climb that had me nearly on ands and knees to reach the highest point. The views was there but not spectacular and didn’t fill me with sense of accomplishment I so desired after such a climb.

By This point I felt pretty disgusting. Still in the same clothes I had slept in and with the need to eat and organise myself, I made my way back to the train station. I found a a nice WC and was able to make myself feel slightly more human. Another pit stop in Starbucks to refuel made all the more enjoyable by the lads clearing tables who pointed out how bad my tattoos were before “complimenting” me on my elf like ears. The German people really do have a way with words.

I moved away from the station again following the road away from the larger building I had seen before. I now found supermarkets and large court yards. As I passed a child’s play area I heard laughter of look passed the sip wings to see a large open air seating area. I walked through to discover a football field sized beer garden with large groups of revellers all drinking from enormous beer jugs. I found a quiet corner and read from my kindle.

At just after 3 I made my way back to my accommodation to finally check in. A1 apartments was a quick booking I had made two nights before. I knew very little about it. I wanted somewhere a little secluded for this part of my trip purely do I could guarantee I could be my best for the coming days.

I wasn’t expecting this - an actual apartment. Single bed, private bathroom, small kitchen area, fridge, TV, all for £40 a night. I felt like a king. I was able to clean myself up and the clothes I had worn over the past few days. I got some supplies from a local supermarket and then began to research the next leg of my trip. Innsbruck and then Zurich perhaps.

Tomorrow is my birthday - 30 years has finally arrived and I embark on the idea that started it all. A chance to visit a place I’ve wanted to see with my own eyes for many years.

The Eagles Nest.

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18/7/14

And I'm 30!
Woke up early, like really early, like 4:30am early. Didn't plan on being awake but I had an alarm set for 5am anyway so what's half an hour. So up and at them. Birthday is kind of a mute point today as I'm so focused on my trip.
Already packed most of my gear for the day, only taking the essentials. Musli for breakfast with even more weird European milk. Bang out the door at 6:15 for the train station, bit of a rush on to get to the station but made it and found my train to Freilassing.
Most of the journey was uneventful until I reached Traunstein in which the train emptied, unbeknown to me. Next thing I know one the ticket inspectors is questioning me - in full on shouty German - all I understood was Salzburg and then me trying to say Freilassing to him to which he directed me to different train which is where everyone else had gone to!! This once again strengthens my claim that things are announced once in German and that's it.
New train and onwards to Freilassing. Another rather uneventful ride although we had now left the cities behind and the view was more 'German'. Quaint little Bavarian style homes with pitches roofs. Mountains filled the highest views and made everything feel more real.
I soon reached Freilassing and looked to my next train to Berchtesgaden. By now I was deep in Sound of Music territory. Surrounded by mountains, thick forests, small rivers and pathways going under and across the track as we moved on and what felt like further from civilisation. This image was completely destroyed as I looked at the flowing river beside me, expecting to see a fisherman or bear awaiting a salmon, I look out the opposite window to see a Lidl going by!
I expected Berchtesgaden to be a tiny hamlet but tourism has made this town so much more. Directly outside the station was the bus stop for the 838 to Salzberg, which is where the bus depot to the eagles nest is. Now I had heard there was a bus to the top but I'd also heard that there was a way to walk to the top as well. After looking at ticket prices (€19 return trip!) I decided on the walk to the top.
So at 10:07 I started what would become an epic journey. It's seems mad now but the first half an hour was really difficult. Gravel paths ways, which felt quiet steep. By now I was deep with the forests. Nothing around me but trees and birds, and the reoccurring thought that at any moment a bear could appear and tear my face off!!
I followed the yellow signs which showed my journey distance counting down as I passed each. By 11am I had reached the half way point and by now was in photographic overload. Each corner I turned a new view was before me. Rolling hills, thick forests of green. It was great to see the small collections of houses below me as I went higher still. My first view of the eagles nest appeared and I stopped to take in how far I come and how far I still had to go. It seemed tiny. Fearing I taken on too much I stopped briefly to record a video ad each some chocolate.
I felt rejuvenated and putting my best foot forward to continued to the top. The last half hour of my climb was the hardest. By now I had removed many layers. I had passed only a few people on my way up but by now I was see more and more people coming down. I knew I was close to my goal and one more corner gave me the glorious view - the bus stop. I had made it. A two hour walk up a mountain, giving me views I could even describe. Hot, tired, sweaty and in need of a coffee I happily bought my ticket for the bus ride down.
The long stone walk way carved into the mountain lead directly to a brass walled lift. A short ride up and I had made it to the nest. Passing confused Americans whom seemed determined to call it Hitlers Bunker (idiots) I made my way out on to the terrace. Passing the restaurant which now occupies the majority of this lofty peak I moved forward to a stone area where people with cameras and too many dogs congregated to find the best selfie spot.
I called home and tried to reach Lindsey but no luck. I fired off hundreds of shots trying to capture the essence of the views and scenery around me. After a close encounter with a paraglider I called home again and spoke with dad.
I moved on to the house itself. Finding Hitler's tea room to now have a gift shop in it and all the historical information on 5 boards tucked away and only in German (want to learn more buy this guide book!!!!)?
I'm sure that this place would do so much more business if it actually sold more memorabilia. Military style t-shirts with an American Eagle and The Eagles Nest on it doesn't really do justice to the place or you could by a ring which has all the mountain ranges on the. So you'll never forget the view...€98!!!!
By now I was hungry and frustrated by the lack of information and those willing to talk about the historical importance of the location. As I sat down for food an American father and son passed me, at least he was giving some accurate information right up until he describe the Nazi's as "the terrorists in WW 2"?
Food was nice but expensive and they had run out of chocolate cake so i had to settle for cheese cake - sacrilegious.
I walked down to the bus area to avoid the 15 minute wait for the lift. It was nice to focus on the views around me again and think about my next move. The buses back down - 5 in total we're prompt and comfortable. I arrive back down in 15 minutes which certainly was faster but I would still recommend the climb so you earn the views. The bus back to Berchtesgaden was another 40 minutes away so I rested in the shade happy that I had tackled the climb in the morning and not now as it has become very hot.
Back in Berchestgarden with water and ice cream ( I got a Feast, which can also be referred to as a festival or as it's known here in Germany "Nogger!"). The trains here are excellent. Air conditioned, loads of seats - don't put your feet on them! - even room for bikes. Made my trip back to Freilassing very pleasant. Now on the train to Munich. However there was just an announcement and now people are most upset so I guessing we're delayed, we aren't moving very quickly at present but I have no were to be so for now I will coast along with everyone else.
*discovered that we are delayed, people are in up roar, looking to the ticket inspector for help. Shacking their heads and showing general mass confusion to the whole situation. The info board state that I won't get to Munich until 8pm - however we pulled into the station at 7:20 just 15 minutes later than expected. I'm still uncertain of what caused the delays?*
Either way today has been very enjoyable and I'm so happy I got to visit some where I have always wanted to go. I can understand the absence of historical information due to embarrassment but this is no excuse for tacky tourist gifts and over priced food.
I'll will spend this evening researching my next move. Innsbruck perhaps but a thought just occurred to me and now I'm looking for a new location in Germany.
More tomorrow.

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