Civilised Travelling

 

A slight delay on our flight to Amsterdam prompted me to open up a new blog.  It might have a bit of a build as you go feel, but so relaxed (full English, Bloody Mary, Prosecco, Capuccino, Biscuits, Rum) in the surrounds of the BA Executive Lounge I allowed my fingers to stray into google and put them to good use for once (make of that what you will)

Our second New Year away (does that now make it a thing, I think it might...) and we booked a few months back. Both the young 'uns showed an interest in this trip so might be able to offer you some different perspectives in this first blog; other trips this year already planned to New York, Greek Island Hopping and Chicago (for a marathon) is currently just Chrissi and I. Carys going solo to Paris, you may get a blog there, Bryn off to Krakow (and no doubt many other beer fuelled jaunts), I can safely say you won't.

So lets see how today goes, I'll move my shorter 10 pictures per day and quick ruminations onto blogger and am already on tenterhooks as to when Facebook looks to remove.

Shortest flight ever, thank goodness for the Exec Lounge, wolfing down salmon, quaffing champagne, served as we were descending into Schipol Airport. Felt it took longer to taxi to the terminal than negotiate the North Sea.

Airport still looking pretty festive, once we got outside we were in a bit of a rain storm.  The 300 bus took us straight to Haarlem Centrum, and a 6-7 minute walk from there to the Ambassador Hotel.  Google maps did its thing.

Now the big learning from recent trips was to get our meals a bit more organised. I'd booked for tonight well in advance (thought I had something for New Years Day) and was exploring options for New Years Eve. We settled on the very twinkly and warm looking hotel restaurant to set the tone for the end of the year.

But tonight it was all about the Thrill Grill, which was pretty much next door to our hotel and had good reviews, and a cool ambience with clientele of all ages.  A very modern menu of burgers and with plenty to suit the vegis amongst us. I went for an asian chicken burger which was probably nicer than anything I ate in Japan, a very light aroma of spices. The Japanese fries that accompanied were kick ass. The gin cocktail and Heineken a nice accompaniment, and made strawberry milkshake the dessert. A fine 6 Euro Shake.

Took a little stroll around what looked to be the old centre of Haarlem, cathedral and many, many bars... will take a look at it all in the daylight, a statue that looks like a toucan needs further investigation.

But a day of travel now requires a bit of breather before we crank up the action in the morning.  All very civilised and sensible this so far ... stuck you a bonus photo in the blog to Insta!