Amsterdam 21 - 26 June 2007

Ryanair flights for 2p (taxes inc) return to Amsterdam, it would've been rude not to.

We got off to a rather anxious start when Sandra had literally seconds to get on the plane before take off. In true latino style she swans aboard and sits down, not a care in the world while Vanessa and I were moments away from nervous breakdowns. After probably the shortest flight in history we land at Eindhoven and kick off the Netherlands road trip with a bus ride to Amsters and embark on finding our apartment. Much to our amusement we found Humphrey's restuarant and had to have a picture

Miss Humphrey outside her restaurant

But google has since revealed this is just one of 14 other Humphreys restaurants around Holland. (V - Ha ha you're a chain)

On the second day we did the Mikes Bikes Tour around the whole of the city followed by a cruise on the canal. Enjoying cycling again after about 10 years without riding a bike I decided I would definitely be buying a bike when I got back to London. Although this thought only lasted for approx 2 days (read on).

Mikes Bikes Tour 22 June

The girlies on the boat

Thankfully friday was one of the drier days and it was only after getting off the boat to take the bikes back that the rain started, and didnt stop for the next five days. Out came the ponchos and we were looking like real sexeee laydeeees.

I dunno how many times I've said it yellow is not my colour

After a few hours r & r we decided it would be a good idea to do the Ultimate Amsterdam Pub Crawl. Although Vanessa and I were feeling ill we still managed to polish off the free beers and shots and we had a ball and met some wicked people.

Sober (ish)

Now probably would have been a good time to stop

Erm.........

The next day we nursed our hangovers shopping and between us managed to buy 12 pairs of shoes which none of us had any space in our baggage to bring home. By Sunday all three of us were ill but we soldiered on through the rain and the wind and decided to hire a bike and cycle around the city and visit Anne Franks House. My degree came in handy and I single handedly guided us all over the city in completely the wrong direction looking for the house. 3 hours and a puncture later we find it. However, we dont have time to look around as I have to push my damn punctured bike back to the hire place. Wet, tired and with a saddle sore bottom I decided no way would I ever be cycling in London.

We ventured out to the red light district on Sunday night and that was certainly an eye opener. Nothing much to say other than lots of naked mingers standing in windows.

City number 2 - The Hague - was scheduled for Monday. Half dead we took the train and tried to make the most of being out of the rain. But the travelling thing all just got too much for me...

Miiiiii!

It was still raining in Den Haag which was a shame because it would have been a lovely place to chill in the cafes and bars after living it up in Amsters. We had a quiet night with dinner and a few cocktails and prepared ourselves for city number 3.

Travelled back to Eindhoven on Tuesday and again it was raining so we did some more shopping and sat in coffee shops and restaurants till it was time to catch our flight. Finally arrived home soaked and dying of some kind of mystery amsterdamish illness. I've never been as thankful to sleep in my own bed again as I was on Tuesday night.

I think I would probably go back to the Netherlands as I'm sure it is a beautiful country if only it wasn't raining.