First wheels turning

Departing the great Princess Seaways was a doddle.

A good breakfast first — full English buffet, a massive range of cereal and pastries, and a good handful of Nutella just in case — then everything was packed up and I hit the smoking deck once more.

Massive freight ships scattered the horizon and a voice behind me spoke up.

“Busier than Hormuz.”

I laughed and agreed.

“Least we won’t get torpedoed.”

Which was a lovely thought to have while standing on a ship.

Finally, land ho!

Slowly cruising up past what looked like a rampant shipping industry of coal piles and shipping containers, I realised that strangely, it wasn’t really an unsightly sight at all.

I’m not afraid of seeing the stuff behind the scenes. In fact, I’m quite interested in it. I’m sure a lot of people these days would rather not see how everything gets moved around, but I quite like seeing the industrial side of a place.

Waiting for the ferry to offload felt like something out of Roman times.

“HOLD!”

Everyone looks at each other.

“HOLD!”

Locks off cameras and navigation ready.

“HOLD!”

Then finally, the ramp descends and the man in front, frantically waving his arms, sends us all out in an orderly fashion.

So goodbye, Princess Seaways.

My adventure must push forth.

Dutch cycling — bloody brilliant

Easy riding from here.

Red cycle lanes hold tight to the main roads, making cycling an absolute dream. As far as I could tell, I think I had right of way in some places too.

I can see just why it works.

Keep to the right, overtake quickly, and keep your eyes up.

I was surprised when I saw my first moped whizzing past me, but at no real point did my comfort level drop below bliss.

Following my set route towards Amsterdam, I was sent through a strange open park area called Spaarnwoude Park. I was amazed to see a huge, roughly 40-foot climbing wall.

The UK would have an aneurysm over the planning permission for something like that.

No mats.

No ropes.

Just a bloody great climbing wall.

Behind it, wrapping around the whole park, was a tight single-track mountain bike trail. A really cool flow trail, although a little uncomfortable on a fully loaded gravel bike.

If you’re in the area, you could easily spend the day here. Just over the hedge line is SnowWorld Amsterdam. As the name suggests, I think it’s some sort of ski place.

After the fun of the twists and turns, the roads soon became straight.

And I mean straight.

Half a mile of road, slight bend, then another half mile until the next bend.

It was good to get some speed up and just chill without having to think too much.

But like I said, it was easy riding all the way until you hit central Amsterdam.

Then things get a little more hectic.

The bike lanes seem to merge together into a bit of a free-for-all, with walkers and cars moving around you all the time. You’re riding down cute, village-like lanes dotted with coffee shops and all different types of places.

I was actually quite upset that I couldn’t hang around too much.

I’d forgotten to set up my eSIM.

So, against my wishes, I powered on towards the hostel.

Via Amsterdam

Via Amsterdam is a really cool place with a modern, bright and arty vibe.

For less than £20, you’ll get a bed in a mixed dorm with eight people in total. The mattress is that blue kind you get in prison and you have to make your own bed.

But hey ho.

What do you expect?

I can tell you now, though — you get a lot less for a lot more in the UK.

I fancied a fresh orange juice and was told it would be €7.

Seven euros for orange juice?!

I was shocked.

Then the bloke said, “Sure, I’ll go grab some oranges.”

Ten minutes later, the fella is setting down the freshest OJ you will ever have tasted.

I tried very hard not to just drink it all in one go.

I think I did well.

Even if it was only three minutes.

The communal area is pretty impressive too. There’s air hockey, TVs and a Jaws arcade game in the corner, secluded booths for quieter areas, a bar and what looks to be a kitchen at the end of the rather large communal space.

There’s even bike parking in a locked underground area if you’re staying for a few days.

Or, like me, just outside for the night.

Yeah.

Well done, Amsterdam.

I really do feel like I’m set to have a good time here, and I’d definitely recommend checking out Via Amsterdam if you’re travelling through.

With it being just under two hours by foot back to De Wallen, though, I’d suggest using one of their bikes.

Anyway, goodbye for now.

I’m going to see what else is about.

Well, I found what the other B could be!

I don’t know what I was expecting really, but after heading out the back of the Via Amsterdam hostel and taking a short metro trip to Centraal Station, I found myself properly exploring the city.

I found the names of the stations amusing too.

Nieuwmarkt.

New Market.

Waterlooplein.

Waterloo.

Maybe I’m easily entertained.

Either way, having a good walk around the centre was a nice change from what I’m used to in small towns.

There are a lot of kebab shops, though.

I was also surprised that the whole weed thing isn’t really in your face. I don’t smoke, so I’m not particularly bothered either way.

It wasn’t until I got around to the Red Light District that things got a little more interesting.

And yes, I did find it on purpose.

And no, I did not partake.

One, I have a girl back home.

And two…

There was something a little too easy about it all.

I did speak to a lovely lady, though. She beckoned me over with a tap of her long, fake nails against the window.

She really didn’t leave much to the imagination.

For as little as €50 for 15 minutes, you can see what’s under the tiny thread of cotton she’s wearing.

Like I said…

I’m skint.

After enough peeping through windows and a few pints in various bars, it was time to head home.

Which led to me getting off at the wrong station.

I’m still convinced it was the same one, but apparently it wasn’t.

It took two minutes to get there and 30 minutes to get back.

So I don’t really know where I went wrong.

But as they say…

Hostel sweet hostel.

I think it’s now time for bed.

Goodnight, GNG.