Day Seven: Amsterdam to Cardiff via London

8th July 2014

This morning we woke up early at six, when I was still asleep mentally. I took a while to physically become awake:) Mum and Dad usually wake up early, so they were fine. We had to quickly pack our bags and get ready for an hour flight to London. We then had to quickly get down stairs to get the shuttle to the airport. Our flight was going to leave at 8:40, so we wanted to be there at 7:00. Once there we checked-in, and had an early breakfast of a McMuffin at Mcdonalds. It was surprisingly delicious, but to fully wake up I needed to get my tea from Starbucks ;)

Once in the air I tried to sleep, but it was really difficult. My head just kept kind of lolling off to the side, and then I was not comfortable at all! I then attempted to read about George Washigton as a young man, but although it was interesting, I just couldn't concentrate. So, I had a hot chocolate and listened to my British neighbours... As you do:)

After we touched down in Luton Airport, London, we bought tickets into London (which would take 1 1/2 hours). We also picked up tickets we had previously bought online from London to Cardiff. It was very easy, and the lady was very helpful. We then got outside wheeling our five pieces of luggage, and lined up for the bus. Unfortunately, the bus that was leaving in five minutes was full, so we had to wait forty mintues for the next bus. Even then, when we did get on the bus it was really hot, and the bus driver couldn't hear our voices asking to put the air-conditioner on. So that wasn't a very enjoyable ride:) Finally, ten minutes before our bus stop, the bus driver turned the air-con on. Huh...

For our next adventure in London, we had two hours to get to and from the tourist information near Trafalger square to buy our 8-day train pass for Wales, Scotland and England. It was because of this time limit that we then rushed down the streets of London, through the masses of crowds watching the changing of guard at Buckingham Palace, and around Trafalger Square to the ticket booth. It was very enjoyable, because we got to see all the main attractions in London all in forty minutes, and we got to see some sights that we hadn't seen the first time we had been to London three years ago.

On the way back from the ticket booth we could slow down a bit more, because there weren't large crowds blocking our way around Buckingham Palace, and we realised we still had some time:) We then arrived back at the Coach (bus) station, and sat down outside the right gate for the coach to Cardiff. We knew that the coach would take approximately three and a half hours, so we got some pie-like pastries and muffins to quickly eat before the coach came.

Then the coach came, and it was really nice. Unlike the previous coach, there was nice air-conditioning, if not a bit too cold:) The seats were nice and comfortable, which was pure pleasure after such a long walk through London:) When we started going I just watched the scenery, because it was all really beautiful.

I fell asleep I think, but then woke up to my head lolling on an angle. My neck is sore still, but it was worth it to sleep :D I then wrote a blog post, and watched the scenery.

Crossing over to Wales we saw some lovely buildings, and although it was rainy throughout the coach trip, it died down for a while to show us a lovely rainbow.

We then arrived in Cardiff Central, and walked to our hotel near Cardiff Bay. It was a long walk, so we are thinking that we might take a taxi back to the central, where the railway station is, when we leave. For dinner we got Thai-Indian food sent up to our room, which was great! I really enjoyed that:)

The view from our hotel room of Cardiff bay at 10 pm.

Now you are uptodate,

Laura.

Xoxo

Day Six: Amsterdam

7th July 2014

Today we woke up to sun streaming through the window. We had decided to wake up early and head to the city of Amsterdam. Harri and I slept in, so we had to rush to get the shuttle to the airport :) Once at the airport we got a bus to the city, and I was soo tired becaue I hadn't had any breakfast yet... The other three had had cereal in cups at the hotel, and I didn't quite fancy it ;)

Once we arrived in Amsterdam we had some difficulty trying to find a place to eat breakfast. It was mainly that we got off at a bus stop too late :) It was an area deserted from any cafes, and if there were some there they were closed... Then when we finally found a place to eat breakfast, we had to wait for a while, and then pay 40 euros for it :0

After breakfast we went through to the courtyard of a museum to a lovely garden.

After we had fun in the park area, we went to the Albert Cup market. It was extremely long, but I enjoyed walking down the streets. There were some fruit markets, and we had a fruit juice. I had orange, banana and kiwi :D There was also some dried fruit, clothes, fabrics and ornaments :D Harri got an Amsterdam cap here.

After we finally finished the Albert Cup market, we entered a courtyard dedicated to arts, where a statue depicted the famous artist Rembrandt. There were artists and photographers around the courtyard selling their work, and I bought one lovely piece as a souvenir.


After the courtyard, we headed towards the Singel Flower Market.

The flower market is referred to as 'floating', as it is slightly on the water.

We had no idea that what the flower market would be like, but it was really amazing! There were these dried flowers hanging from the ceiling, and there were flowers everywhere. It was really enjoyable, but apparently the tulip bulbs you can buy there are old ones :)

The royal residence palace in Amsterdam. We didn't go in, but the building was amazing!

On the right is a church, and in the center is a shopping center. The buildings were wonderful, and the architecture was really beautiful.

After a walk through the crowds outside the palace, we took a tram to the Central Railway Station. We had afternoon tea then, and decided to go to a canal cruise. We took a round trip, ao it would go through the canals and come back to the same place. Mum was really hoping we woudl do that, and it did sound really relaxing :D

The commentator was really good, and he added interesting facts about everything. The boat that everyone was staring at it this picture was recreated to be an exact copy (but a bit larger) of a boat that sank years ago. Retirees came together apparently to do the rebuild, which was really interesting. However, the commentator then said that the proportions were large, so that it would not be able to go on the water without sinking :D

Later we passed a museum, which used to be a retirement home. The commentator said nothing had changed;)

After our lovely canal cruise we had KFC close by for dinner, and headed back to the hotel.

We were all really exausted from such a long day, and were ready for sleep. Tomorrow we have a big day, all the way to Cardiff, Wales!!

Now you are uptodate,

Laura.

xoxo

Day Five: Rotterdam to Amsterdam

6th July 2014

Today we all packed our five suitcases again, and headed to the train station for Amsterdam!

We ate breakfast and morning tea in the apartment, then packed ourselves lunch. We were out the door by about 11, and at the train station 10 minutes later. Harri wanted to go to The Hague on the way to Amsterdam, which is the royal residence in Holland as well as The Court of Justice for EU. However, when we asked the train ticket salesman whether we could stop there, he notified us that the train was not working through The Hague, and that we should get a fast train straight to Amsterdam. I was secretely happy, because I was tired :1

We then went to the station number, but found that the train had been delayed by half an hour. Then, half an hour later it was delayed again :) So, in the mean time I went to Starbucks to buy myself some Orange Jasmine tea. That made the wait worthwhile :)

Finally, when the train eventually came, we were told ten minutes later to get off and wait for another train. Humphh... It worked out well in the end anyway, because we got to sit in first class without having to pay any extra. It was really nice and roomy, and it only took us 20 minutes to get from Rotterdam to Amsterdam by this nonstop fast train! It was super duper cool:) You couldn't even feel it moving that fast:)

We got off the bus at Schiphol Airport, which is a 30 minute bus ride to Amsterdam city, and took a shuttle from there to our hotel. We literally just put our bags down in the hotel room, and got straight back onto the next shuttle to the airport from the hotel. We wanted to look around the airport, cause our flight left early in the morning two days later and we wouldn't have time then. By that time we were all pretty tired, and after a quick shop browse, and a quick dinner (I had sushi!!) I found in Australia that I love sushi, and it is super expensive in Finland)), we headed back on the shuttle to the hotel.

The hotel was really comfortable, and we thought it was such a central place to be so close to the airport. However, I found it difficult to get to bed, because my book Christmas at Tiffanys is just far too interesting!!

Now you are uptodate,

Laura

Xoxo