Harwich to Hook of Holland on Stena Line

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0QJUU46L6L4xpTnlAGbHLd1B9PTdDboIx9joP9xFpOWwtjhyLcOYx3av35n_1MmuEY4dxlG6Z0p2vPrk8_roLHYxbHkrokrtImS1mOiivX4v6OA1pLqveWKxkfufJC9kiMcblYBXVKo/s1600/IMG_9996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0QJUU46L6L4xpTnlAGbHLd1B9PTdDboIx9joP9xFpOWwtjhyLcOYx3av35n_1MmuEY4dxlG6Z0p2vPrk8_roLHYxbHkrokrtImS1mOiivX4v6OA1pLqveWKxkfufJC9kiMcblYBXVKo/s400/IMG_9996.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to get through passport control</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> Our method of getting into Europe barely features on this blog, but on this trip we've traveled into Europe via an alternate ferry crossing which is new to us - Harwich to Hook of Holland. We often wish we lived further South, since the 280 mile drive to Calais seems to drag on for eternity. Our usual routine would be to drive down after work for a late evening crossing and then sleep overnight at the ticket office in Calais on the docks or on occasion, the Calais aire. We're not a big fan of this method, nor of the drive out of industrial Calais, but its a means to an end - a gateway to mainland Europe.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxWHb_2vLcoDp2-aBdzXxeUuQQKUxElTHSyauVoLaNB6qBgvi_TTA1OQjnHecFCiZQV7ML5hbXuBxfaBnvqQ7-HVfzhyphenhyphenHiCFj-DV7-fAQpMidLVE0RclcZdUfTBHt8R8t9PEmVMoZDWE/s1600/harwichport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxWHb_2vLcoDp2-aBdzXxeUuQQKUxElTHSyauVoLaNB6qBgvi_TTA1OQjnHecFCiZQV7ML5hbXuBxfaBnvqQ7-HVfzhyphenhyphenHiCFj-DV7-fAQpMidLVE0RclcZdUfTBHt8R8t9PEmVMoZDWE/s200/harwichport.jpg" width="200" /></a>The drive to Harwich was over an hour and 60 miles less than our usual trip to Dover, we decided to ignore advice to take the M11; we instead took the A14 which was a wonderfully scenic route and dual carriageway all the way. Arriving at the port in good time no sooner had we seen Hollandica arrive we were waved through passport control at roughly 7:30. I say waved through, a couple in their 20's in a motorhome can't look right and so it was no suprise when we were pulled in for the obligatory search. This is so routine for us now we must pass the attitude test because the customs officer only looked in the wardrobe and we were waved on our way.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHUdGaNZZ24lD7O3H0Aem1kdVfJOjubRZ2M0MMJ2yp_d9UNixmM1PluydB8pyAjqSUKP3AYlQl7WsaEMdu5xUlJyGsI7EreDKkt8IlGD9OJSmCNiwbT45r7uEIm4iTG7CoGZRSHxdLpM/s1600/harwichport2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHUdGaNZZ24lD7O3H0Aem1kdVfJOjubRZ2M0MMJ2yp_d9UNixmM1PluydB8pyAjqSUKP3AYlQl7WsaEMdu5xUlJyGsI7EreDKkt8IlGD9OJSmCNiwbT45r7uEIm4iTG7CoGZRSHxdLpM/s200/harwichport2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbK7SmX2yTTKwP1iv6Jc5GDJnrIqZUK0eQlmuZGgqz5Pie-9GB5vIto9ZV_7qS1j_Y44_3LG8xllxk__lZnRR7NHOKo_VBtGNEzMpDZszhYT1DGrXiQj7tPJNr3P_AuGnL1IZrl6nmgA/s1600/harwichport3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbK7SmX2yTTKwP1iv6Jc5GDJnrIqZUK0eQlmuZGgqz5Pie-9GB5vIto9ZV_7qS1j_Y44_3LG8xllxk__lZnRR7NHOKo_VBtGNEzMpDZszhYT1DGrXiQj7tPJNr3P_AuGnL1IZrl6nmgA/s200/harwichport3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Harwich port is much smaller than Dover, with a passenger train line running straight through the middle of it. It's a little strange having your ascent onto the ferry halted by a train but I suspect this is the norm for those who travel this route often. Hollandica was launched in 2010 along with her sister ship Britannica and is one of the worlds largest super ferries, carrying upto 230 cars, 300 freight vehicles and 1200 passengers. It has 1,376 beds on board in 538 cabins and is comparable in size to P&O's Spirit of Britain / France but I have to say far more luxurious.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvDFrk1TfpSISbtbT5TP6Komb-erhHRBh6UT7RIcR5MAFDh2GhSDu7tGaccpDyjjV1lTuV6A-pVCFCkQMhzSDiuW5lL5CRsM7OJ3MWdco8hiFc9pwB4aveKJuMls-6wgPyyFiQI7KSGU/s1600/IMG_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvDFrk1TfpSISbtbT5TP6Komb-erhHRBh6UT7RIcR5MAFDh2GhSDu7tGaccpDyjjV1lTuV6A-pVCFCkQMhzSDiuW5lL5CRsM7OJ3MWdco8hiFc9pwB4aveKJuMls-6wgPyyFiQI7KSGU/s200/IMG_0040.jpg" width="200" /></a>Climbing the stairs to deck 10 where our room was located, there wasn't any of the usual stampede, lots of helpful crew were present assisting people to find their destinations. Our room, number 111, was a Comfort Class Cabin air-conditioned room with a window. This is an upgrade over the standard £39.00 cabin coming in at £90.00 each way. The room consists of a double and single bed, large walk in shower room and the pièce de résistance... a free (ok, included in the price) Mini Bar! Two Heineken, two small Blossom Hill red and two of white, plus orange and water. I'm pleased to say the wine didn't exit the room in our hand luggage, but the beer did exit the room in me! There was also a TV which linked to cameras on the ship so you could see outside as well as a channel dedicated to the pet quarters so you could keep an eye on your pampered pooch.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooqKDMv4Ha9AYdDqPHDdcr0nVlCYUXQ7WCu_Y1oGg9OWomIinN5TtCt1jCduVEfdknSes91iStzqFPbi5d7BzGl31fR3iSxyGkkDSIhvI5RJ_SqffmXZmAaxGmgegQ5CgY9KC9CjqLFU/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooqKDMv4Ha9AYdDqPHDdcr0nVlCYUXQ7WCu_Y1oGg9OWomIinN5TtCt1jCduVEfdknSes91iStzqFPbi5d7BzGl31fR3iSxyGkkDSIhvI5RJ_SqffmXZmAaxGmgegQ5CgY9KC9CjqLFU/s200/Stena+Hollandica+2.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWNpppZ_e7gQ0lMCB_o6i3vlcijAhTnoQ1DhonqOtzTiVn6Ptvc60SaG-NkfkhfNXUAvYK3hvnPl68TPxGY8RkiZgTOsZfAh20YxIn8Fc_wKSUi_If1bRtL3FYHH7fCET3zWls7HiZA8/s1600/Stena+Hollandica1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWNpppZ_e7gQ0lMCB_o6i3vlcijAhTnoQ1DhonqOtzTiVn6Ptvc60SaG-NkfkhfNXUAvYK3hvnPl68TPxGY8RkiZgTOsZfAh20YxIn8Fc_wKSUi_If1bRtL3FYHH7fCET3zWls7HiZA8/s200/Stena+Hollandica1.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_L7N7ghY9zawaA3IXJpqUjieSWHvy5HIT_JY4ZCjGwoBlfbi4SXuqzIXlBUCkigMKNIAL4-FBckmcZXHTxRwCyZgeKJtTlzptSChFuLJ3bLvowETQ_HY8tBcBAGhQbMhV2KTGw1n_ys/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_L7N7ghY9zawaA3IXJpqUjieSWHvy5HIT_JY4ZCjGwoBlfbi4SXuqzIXlBUCkigMKNIAL4-FBckmcZXHTxRwCyZgeKJtTlzptSChFuLJ3bLvowETQ_HY8tBcBAGhQbMhV2KTGw1n_ys/s200/Stena+Hollandica+3.jpg" width="133" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WZq5VQwx4Ke3mDPj3AVaW75oVmnKsexDjKCSqdXpNfKPpkp8XxUKAxCiSTuriplo-_F8dKghp1bKMzmI0kR9yTxv0WAALTdSVW7RYkcWrqEMa2vFOWuQ51FmEJVO9dSIsgJNWx5lH9k/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+metropolitan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WZq5VQwx4Ke3mDPj3AVaW75oVmnKsexDjKCSqdXpNfKPpkp8XxUKAxCiSTuriplo-_F8dKghp1bKMzmI0kR9yTxv0WAALTdSVW7RYkcWrqEMa2vFOWuQ51FmEJVO9dSIsgJNWx5lH9k/s200/Stena+Hollandica+metropolitan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> By the time we had boarded, checked in and visited our room it was nearly 10pm so we made a bee-line for the restaurant where we had reservations in The Metropolitan Restaurant which can be booked online at the time of your crossing. There is plenty on offer in terms of eating, including the Taste buffet restaurant, Barista Bar and Riva Bar. The atmosphere throughout seemed very relaxed and orderly.<br /> <br /> <br /> There were a number of menu's to choose from and we could mix and <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VoazwS5IZCF6LVJbrbDY7uBIouIklAvCTxMN-7k5fwSYgkhfC-4o_mMH7WOovHXydt6LLI05PX4dSIQ3Coe-jkfMjGEYE_ItAKuQYrnYqAFcquAhNZYnNwV3KfruNy9QVePy-JDjQW0/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VoazwS5IZCF6LVJbrbDY7uBIouIklAvCTxMN-7k5fwSYgkhfC-4o_mMH7WOovHXydt6LLI05PX4dSIQ3Coe-jkfMjGEYE_ItAKuQYrnYqAFcquAhNZYnNwV3KfruNy9QVePy-JDjQW0/s200/IMG_0048.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> match between them. Some dishes were at a premium (charged in Euros) to the pre-booked price of £29.00 per persion which also includes breakfast. We opted for Salmon and Crab with rye bread and Antipasti followed by an amazing Rib Eye steak each. For pudding I went for Creme Brule, Sophie was getting a little full by this point so opted for the simple Strawberry's and Ice Cream. The meal and the service was excellent and all of this was taking place while the ship was still docked in Harwich, so even if the sea had been rough (it wasn't, it was like a mill pond) this wouldn't have spoilt the enjoyment. We opted for a bottle of wine and as we didn't manage to finish it we were encouraged to take it back to our room.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hxh0p9sxs7FNYClGpTxYY2Mw60I2ZH6adhvZxLDebLpA4JAPBKXKYJ32TCMJkKBS3n2xL6zn_nrOqGuQLqACaB_Z17LXoR4GA_vh_iBbjALWJ4GItMfTC9xHi1-w6x0nmgKhSOuZVfM/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hxh0p9sxs7FNYClGpTxYY2Mw60I2ZH6adhvZxLDebLpA4JAPBKXKYJ32TCMJkKBS3n2xL6zn_nrOqGuQLqACaB_Z17LXoR4GA_vh_iBbjALWJ4GItMfTC9xHi1-w6x0nmgKhSOuZVfM/s200/Stena+Hollandica+food.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE_LWdgCetdPC-1VsupIquBF2MobsTdh0iq-heZxJ6HY5dqNyVpvD8sOoTAXQG6Mw9ZkzD5fQxKRotiPo7gZTJExGjH9tEN5tX_3t6QZwgsKYUEZY3sX7Seg89VEv1Xp-VQGoJu-K02s/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+food2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE_LWdgCetdPC-1VsupIquBF2MobsTdh0iq-heZxJ6HY5dqNyVpvD8sOoTAXQG6Mw9ZkzD5fQxKRotiPo7gZTJExGjH9tEN5tX_3t6QZwgsKYUEZY3sX7Seg89VEv1Xp-VQGoJu-K02s/s200/Stena+Hollandica+food2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGR59p-Bh4bAqBLRv4v9GUTO6YRpB3QfPMm3BCwWW_ADlGmZojZC-KZodmxff0QSZ-l5lcKvjcBnoEAt7lurMEhb6gB95YHFkQdvF_c_u9sWiBcudokWXX0v08Wu5MyiCp3qHdlMt6t8/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGR59p-Bh4bAqBLRv4v9GUTO6YRpB3QfPMm3BCwWW_ADlGmZojZC-KZodmxff0QSZ-l5lcKvjcBnoEAt7lurMEhb6gB95YHFkQdvF_c_u9sWiBcudokWXX0v08Wu5MyiCp3qHdlMt6t8/s200/IMG_0046.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRCIC0OxGNVMCWPb8-BMR0C_HfawHL44uDoSkhjDwMS2iQEQ7Pz4AEVE8EYc-ji5t8Yge22aG6Igs2Qeddz6-7-gNP5pozUmRTy6npVZu0u8rK7yShP8XhsAgUEa-Ps-OvM6gx3dOY7U/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+food+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRCIC0OxGNVMCWPb8-BMR0C_HfawHL44uDoSkhjDwMS2iQEQ7Pz4AEVE8EYc-ji5t8Yge22aG6Igs2Qeddz6-7-gNP5pozUmRTy6npVZu0u8rK7yShP8XhsAgUEa-Ps-OvM6gx3dOY7U/s200/Stena+Hollandica+food+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFOzCUlYNjQ_jv9figsnmNlw4FsibYqZMNO1aaFuJOouk77vqaLvoycdSgiSpd1xB15Vaq4BTyjYj89-u6mh4vASAWB-avHqdx97lW4XV2FuH-GyV9UCKiZ7s7VaFGulF3DSHkTFekbA/s1600/Stena+Hollandica+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFOzCUlYNjQ_jv9figsnmNlw4FsibYqZMNO1aaFuJOouk77vqaLvoycdSgiSpd1xB15Vaq4BTyjYj89-u6mh4vASAWB-avHqdx97lW4XV2FuH-GyV9UCKiZ7s7VaFGulF3DSHkTFekbA/s200/Stena+Hollandica+Night.jpg" width="133" /></a></div> What surprised us most about the ship was the amount of outside space available to use, which includes an enclosed basketball pitch and a Sundeck Bar area. There was also a dedicated quiet zone at the other end of the ship which seemed very chilled out, great if you just want to relax for the evening. If you are looking for entertainment however, there is a cinema on board with all the latest movies on offer.<br /> <br /> Before we realised it, it was midnight - which means it was in fact 1am local time! With a wake up call due at 6:30am that didn't leave much time for any shut eye and so we got our heads down in a comfortable bed soon after that.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVRypJvt_oQ18XQ4of3NvYhNQiFSvukKWdWHqNqeB8NHPkiSSFgXYOVJ4h2e13qfyThYPHFbetflQnJuRwB5M2bvWaUc7k7qi6ctPTYzPDeE9smD60KYGZRx-W_iiFTk-R5bH4IOS6HY/s1600/IMG_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVRypJvt_oQ18XQ4of3NvYhNQiFSvukKWdWHqNqeB8NHPkiSSFgXYOVJ4h2e13qfyThYPHFbetflQnJuRwB5M2bvWaUc7k7qi6ctPTYzPDeE9smD60KYGZRx-W_iiFTk-R5bH4IOS6HY/s200/IMG_0088.jpg" width="133" /></a><br /> <br /> I challenge anyone to sleep through the wake up call tannoy at 6:30am, but it certainly did its job in stiring (and perhaps shaking us) awake and into the buffet breakfast queue. There was plenty of food on offer including full cooked English or Continental breakfast, fresh coffee and juices and what appeared to be unlimited refills. Perhaps the highlight of the trip for us was sitting bow of the boat, eating our breakfast as we arrived at the Hook of Holland.<br /> <br /> Departure is at 7:45 local time and after grabbing our luggage from the room and resisting temptation to raid the mini bar we were off the ramp and through passport control.<br /> <br /> Departing into a leafy suburb, it couldn't be more detached from Calais. We worked out that this route shaved off 125 miles off our journey and probably 2.5-3 hours given that we avoided the M25 at rush hour. Topping up with Diesel at 1.39 (about 1.29 a litre) and getting our Euros from a cash point we hit the motorway and headed for our first stop, Munich.<br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHdyvhYzAN_66mVtzUD6GlxbPTwzOB5Fh1sc05sizIjtj05ak186hsqQQXua2Zrhecjd_16NVVSN2RcPx0d-gyL6xyopoOIxHGaESqI1DUo5p_ztenfU3iYmjlon6LueZnBK3c71joWY/s1600/IMG_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHdyvhYzAN_66mVtzUD6GlxbPTwzOB5Fh1sc05sizIjtj05ak186hsqQQXua2Zrhecjd_16NVVSN2RcPx0d-gyL6xyopoOIxHGaESqI1DUo5p_ztenfU3iYmjlon6LueZnBK3c71joWY/s400/IMG_0084.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from our cabin</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /></div>

Harwich to Hook of Holland on Stena Line

Waiting to get through passport control Our method of getting into Europe barely features on this blog, but on this trip we've tra...

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Amsterdam Day 2

<div class="mobile-photo"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedpzk5G_FINT-cvVFaxa1dQuxetgXbsPUkQsR1s0O3vjiIlGLfkUEPiBhymmPbtkamlvZBhMZCRUY45JBGijUszzKexvSDRuqZO6HfBfAYtAEggHPmwKNg8FXZaZge-IK9TAmHy1cPxs/s1600-h/DSCF3025+(Large)-752278.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803787110809122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedpzk5G_FINT-cvVFaxa1dQuxetgXbsPUkQsR1s0O3vjiIlGLfkUEPiBhymmPbtkamlvZBhMZCRUY45JBGijUszzKexvSDRuqZO6HfBfAYtAEggHPmwKNg8FXZaZge-IK9TAmHy1cPxs/s200/DSCF3025+(Large)-752278.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayxeT2AM6YUwJgJIpWxDB8nrtFPMDbSCfiCk79MNmCdnDhLgtVm_r-_hpmM2d3ccBEWntVQGAZbKcZYvXe2m2NVsTgrNXOek3DuZZmXYRlCvxwNmXcrsj65l2bYdTgSDrWPapXFMNFj4/s1600-h/DSCF3017+(Large)-753648.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803791133297186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayxeT2AM6YUwJgJIpWxDB8nrtFPMDbSCfiCk79MNmCdnDhLgtVm_r-_hpmM2d3ccBEWntVQGAZbKcZYvXe2m2NVsTgrNXOek3DuZZmXYRlCvxwNmXcrsj65l2bYdTgSDrWPapXFMNFj4/s200/DSCF3017+(Large)-753648.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="mobile-photo"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93xFF9WrFToXZ7VuuMSEb2WF-F3YiPjG1IAYTFmVeG2mO_gsaYEBpqPECx4Hwk7j44p7dO7Hu0joyBnjAXh_70rgs92eLK98l-eMyeV0sovNzR3J_NBDQI7i-Zvf9Dir-o6NW0cQnYpA/s1600-h/DSCF3024+(Large)-754285.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803794510853986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93xFF9WrFToXZ7VuuMSEb2WF-F3YiPjG1IAYTFmVeG2mO_gsaYEBpqPECx4Hwk7j44p7dO7Hu0joyBnjAXh_70rgs92eLK98l-eMyeV0sovNzR3J_NBDQI7i-Zvf9Dir-o6NW0cQnYpA/s200/DSCF3024+(Large)-754285.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewf8xayg56NV6lsWte94vGM6ogCHQS-drmu3owmYMrMs83IQfjFxq_-stB-u93265IVyG0AHK9ElZdf7dUOuF30RRGKTJCFRpuwmB0CjLsgZpmEvmHUOygJwPG9UklkZF7SYvF7_Epjw/s1600-h/DSCF3033+(Large)-755059.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803797273389954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewf8xayg56NV6lsWte94vGM6ogCHQS-drmu3owmYMrMs83IQfjFxq_-stB-u93265IVyG0AHK9ElZdf7dUOuF30RRGKTJCFRpuwmB0CjLsgZpmEvmHUOygJwPG9UklkZF7SYvF7_Epjw/s200/DSCF3033+(Large)-755059.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="mobile-photo"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRk8Ab2r7gWcCG11AFnW-xEqNAP8f2ETt8j2QqVgw_TxRuVa7SCcscrovJVXuCp-W0kQi0cyKMGJWxx73qqaNwsDqS8K50u5x3oS5CsaouK4WbpJclFxq9JPHeoqBIsjmwmp5GP1uVYM/s1600-h/DSCF3053+(Large)-755995.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803801210205042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRk8Ab2r7gWcCG11AFnW-xEqNAP8f2ETt8j2QqVgw_TxRuVa7SCcscrovJVXuCp-W0kQi0cyKMGJWxx73qqaNwsDqS8K50u5x3oS5CsaouK4WbpJclFxq9JPHeoqBIsjmwmp5GP1uVYM/s200/DSCF3053+(Large)-755995.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> We returned to Amesterdam in the morning to go on a cruise of the<br /> cannals - something we missed on Day 1 as it was getting dark by the<br /> time we go back to the station where the boats also depart. It is<br /> certainly one of the best ways to see the city and we were taken past<br /> Anne Frank's house and the mayors residence and many other facts about Amsterdam were explained to us.<br /> <br /> <br /> We got back to the campsite around 2pm and set off on our journey to Gouda and Rotterdam. There aren't nearly as many Aires or even campsites for that matter in the Netherlands and we decided after visiting Gouda<br /> and seeing how industrial Rotterdam was to press on into Belgium. Amsterdam is certainly the highlight of the Netherlands we wouldn't go as far as to say it is all 'flat an boring' as we've heard said before once you've seen a few windmills and a few cannals that just about sums it up!<br /> <br /> Tonight we are staying on a free Aire just inside Belgium near Antwerp and although little more than a car park we've been joined by two other Belgium campers which is always a good sign.

Amsterdam Day 2

    We returned to Amesterdam in the morning to go on a cruise of the cannals - something we missed on Day 1 as it was getting dark ...

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Amsterdam Day 1

<div class="mobile-photo"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2ZltbsjEfPyBqi1dgp5Qdp4R1vBhBO0u4SKZBQJahi2VLVAsOG6TUIrNbtlLBlqcYN-fvup5AA3LvlrwQ7An5JgyRx99O2u0gCqEXZC5cDvLVJR5bXaNmhqWV2dNxQ1nZlmBd-cB44Q/s1600-h/DSCF2989+(Large)-794454.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803535716457618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2ZltbsjEfPyBqi1dgp5Qdp4R1vBhBO0u4SKZBQJahi2VLVAsOG6TUIrNbtlLBlqcYN-fvup5AA3LvlrwQ7An5JgyRx99O2u0gCqEXZC5cDvLVJR5bXaNmhqWV2dNxQ1nZlmBd-cB44Q/s200/DSCF2989+(Large)-794454.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="mobile-photo"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HIj0JYBUUeugClunm7L6wXLlyNWdrw42tv4ZiXa4vl4FyL-fGMpgnID0B-DEcAlxCqYU7ClXUROLg5DL-ingWaT-aDVwrmCslTlIF2TemRBXiSIF8KQqvumEQTuBhwaTCpplSzrCFWQ/s1600-h/DSCF2939+(Large)-795937.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803544438678818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HIj0JYBUUeugClunm7L6wXLlyNWdrw42tv4ZiXa4vl4FyL-fGMpgnID0B-DEcAlxCqYU7ClXUROLg5DL-ingWaT-aDVwrmCslTlIF2TemRBXiSIF8KQqvumEQTuBhwaTCpplSzrCFWQ/s200/DSCF2939+(Large)-795937.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMdCHk1BUw0z3ZpSJxRjbTAobh_2IY0Awr7shqW_tL3GIqOFtTD9DUxe95mDcaH1Y9KvRuXEshTBf2-4oKOzs4Ic9hrazlz3E5SAbRFFyT1fqBUt_dMle4IG6Gx09SWMTnh61mfyHyss/s1600-h/DSCF2972+(Large)-796741.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodBpuLFhjDM2Koo991P_4UUTpI36jzhWvg7-8f9c7tklI8oSXLf0ythDLJJV4Y3W9FyBnl7WbQnxlgHvXLTHvtiopte7Rk1Hen9rZqfqoJzSXpCs18U72DhkAPERwvf47BZYGCKo5y3c/s1600-h/DSCF3003+(Large)-798581.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803555698696818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodBpuLFhjDM2Koo991P_4UUTpI36jzhWvg7-8f9c7tklI8oSXLf0ythDLJJV4Y3W9FyBnl7WbQnxlgHvXLTHvtiopte7Rk1Hen9rZqfqoJzSXpCs18U72DhkAPERwvf47BZYGCKo5y3c/s200/DSCF3003+(Large)-798581.JPG" width="200" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803544538301026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMdCHk1BUw0z3ZpSJxRjbTAobh_2IY0Awr7shqW_tL3GIqOFtTD9DUxe95mDcaH1Y9KvRuXEshTBf2-4oKOzs4Ic9hrazlz3E5SAbRFFyT1fqBUt_dMle4IG6Gx09SWMTnh61mfyHyss/s200/DSCF2972+(Large)-796741.JPG" width="200" /></div> <div class="mobile-photo"> </div> <div class="mobile-photo"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmadc1Yl3YG0oDXT4oAi0A-Jjh3D6CFOEZkEVuzYxfc313HSNorRn1X6pMtqJuhgWCoABqBch5NRfraTajn171P6wN79Nx2ddw5Oat3wrcgYHAfINmCtbluE5nUyeRpOv7kB0VI0G1XuU/s1600-h/DSCF2936+(Large)-797154.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277803549089338770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmadc1Yl3YG0oDXT4oAi0A-Jjh3D6CFOEZkEVuzYxfc313HSNorRn1X6pMtqJuhgWCoABqBch5NRfraTajn171P6wN79Nx2ddw5Oat3wrcgYHAfINmCtbluE5nUyeRpOv7kB0VI0G1XuU/s200/DSCF2936+(Large)-797154.JPG" width="150" /></a></div> <div class="mobile-photo"> </div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> On our journey into the Netherlands we pulled in at the first fuel<br /> station to fill up with LPG which by now had dropped to 50c/litre- only<br /> to discover that the dutch have their own unique filling adapter which<br /> we didn't know - so a quick U turn back to Germany to fill up<br /> (fortunately only 3 miles to the nearest station as we were right on the<br /> border) and we were raring to go.<br /> <br /> We arrived in camping Zeeburg late on Friday after a few issues with<br />finding a suitable route into the campsite because of a low bridge. The<br />campsite was basic but for 15 euros and 5 minutes walk to a tram which<br />took you into the centre for 1.60 each we couldn't complain. First impressions of the city were that there appeared to be a large number of English, especially Geordies although this may have had something to do<br />with us deciding to have a bacon and egg McMuffin for our breakfast while they were having Big Mac's trying to recover from the night before!<br /> <br /> There is definitely something for everyone in Amsterdam and we tried to take in as much of the city centre as possible. A large part of Amsterdam is geared toward tourists (noticeable from the number of 'tourist tat' shops - Amsterdam hat anyone?), be it shopping, exploring the relaxed culture of the coffee shops, the flower markets or the red light district. There were probably as many couples present as there was groups of lads. The shopping was great, although it was easy to have Deja-vu as a great number of branded shops repeated themselves on different streets.<br /> <br /> However there is a lot of history to see and we were blessed with bright blue skies - a lot of the houses and<br />bridges over the cannals in the centre date back to as early as the 1600's and Amsterdam was not bombed heavily during WW2 so it made a refreshing change that everything wasn't rebuilt and suspiciously new<br />looking as was the case with Germany.<br /><br /> Tomorrow we shall return and view Amsterdam from the waterways as by the time we had explored the city centre on foot it was dark!

Amsterdam Day 1

On our journey into the Netherlands we pulled in at the first fuel station to fill up with LPG which by now had dropp...

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