Benelux – Alsace

It was my first time travelling after I began my career. I stayed in Amsterdam and looked around the suburbs. First, I went to Hoorn by train from Amsterdam. The city covered with snow was so beautiful. I screamed, “It was the beginning of the journey” in my head. When it comes to Nederland, I can imagine windmills, so I visited Alkmaar. Next, I went to Naarden to see a star fort. If I were a bird, I would view the shape from the sky.

BTW, I hadn’t seen Amsterdam yet, though. *30/12/05

At last, I started to go around Amsterdam. In this city, bicycles are the mainstay and there is a good tram system. I walked along the canal and visited the Anne Frank Huis and Van Gogh Museum. I loved the museum so much, as everything was Gogh! Finally, my brother came to my hotel in the evening two days later.

BTW, Unfortunately, my hotel wasn’t available on the third day, so I moved to a cheap inn. The cheap room unluckily smelled like Marijuana. I thought I was gonna die. *31/12/05 – 01/01/06

Although I needed to get validation for my Benelux train pass, I was struggling with it due to the crowded station. Anyway, I left Amsterdam, which was noisy, rubbish-strewn and dirty due to the New Year fest., and I headed to Den Haag. Luckily, I could book my hotel at the tourist info straight away. Then I visited Het Maurishuis to see Rembrandt’s and Vermeer’s paintings, but the museum was closed due to New Year’s holiday.

BTW, I went all the way there. It was over. *2/1/06

I visited Antwerp to see Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal. I didn’t think I was in Belgium yet. Anyway, Antwerp station was great. It was worth seeing as well as the cathedral. Next, I dropped by at Bruxelles to see Grand-Place and the Manneken-Pis. Then, I reached Gent, but I had a hard time finding a hotel like the previous trip to Bologna. I didn’t want to compromise on a chains.

BTW, Sint-Baafskathedraal was already closed while I was looking for a hotel. I failed to see Het Lam Gods. *3/1/06

The day was a train day. First, I went to Luxembourg via Bruxelles and changed trains to Metz. At last, I reached Strasbourg. As I could find a nice hotel soon, I went to Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The gothic building was great, as always! Then, I watched a football match of Racing Club de Strasbourg vs Lyon. Lyon was too strong, though.

BTW, I had my first doner kebab at my hotel after the game. It was said the kebab sandwiches came from Berlin. *4/1/06

When I was about to go to Colmar by train at Strasbourg station, I got held up with police officers. They said, “Show me a passport” by taking an overbearing approach. As my train almost left, I said, “Hurry up”. Then they gave me a nasty look. My plan nearly went wrong. Anyway, I visited Kintzheim and Kaysersberg. There were idyllic, so I had a relaxing time.

BTW, if I missed a train, my plan would fail. Why was I the targeted one? Please give me a break. *5/1/06

Before heading to Heidelberg, I visited Strasbourg again. The station had been remodeled for the TGV. Travellers would be able to take a one day trip from Paris. I had mixed feelings about that. Anyway, I crossed Le Rhin to enter Germany, but I got in trouble because my train had an accident. Although I couldn’t get the announcement in German, an elderly lady called English speaking people to translate it, so I could connect to alternative train.

BTW, I stayed at Ibis as a chain hotel effortlessly, heh. *6/1/06