#142 Amsterdam, Netherlands

I enjoyed my time in Amsterdam. I wasn't sure what to think before I went, but I found it made a for a really good relaxed city break, and if you're careful it can be a cheap trip too!

Transport

Bikes and canals

Everyone says the best way to get around Amsterdam is of course by bike, but we opted to walk around, and it really didn't take that long to get from A to B, so if you want to save a little money or you're not a keen cyclist than just walk! There are of course trams and buses but as the city isn't that big and the sights all quite central we didn't need to use these. We became very lazy and didn't partake in a walking tour as we had planned which I do regret as I imagine it would have been good, however we did splash out (literally) on a canal boat cruise and it was honestly quite nice just to sit back and relax and be taken around instead of walking, although due to the price it's not something I would usually do.

Sightseeing

I think one of the most important attractions is the Anne Frank House, which houses the attic where Anne and her family hid during WWII, and from where she wrote her famous diary. It is obviously very popular and gets very busy so it's best to book in advance through the website and get an allotted time slot at which to go. I found it very poignant but also a little disappointing...the rooms were all empty but some did have photographs of recreations of what they would have looked like. Apparently this was at the wishes of her father who didn't want them to furnish the rooms so I feel bad criticizing it, it's just not quite what I had expected when I had planned to visit.

Clogs

Some of the other main highlights include the Van Gogh museum and a few other art museums, but I have absolutely no, and I really mean no, interest in art so there was no way I was shelling out for the expensive entry fee. The Heineken Experience is also quite a popular tourist attraction and my sister went another time and said it was good, however my friends weren't interested in going and I was happy saving my money anyway so we didn't visit. We did the Amsterdam Dungeons which was good fun, but I realise that it is quite a cheesy attraction and not for everyone's taste. It's worth noting it's a little cheaper to book this online.

Red Light District

Of course we all know what are the most famous attractions in Amsterdam....drugs and hookers. We were an all-female group so there was no chance we were going to partake in an hour with a lovely woman, but we did have good fun walking around the Red Light District and I will admit that the vast majority of the women in the windows were gorgeous so I can see the temptation. I'm going to say I am too cool to do drugs of any kind so I didn't visit any of the special weed cafés, but my other friends visited before and said the "moon cakes" and "space brownies" tasted disgusting and had a very gritty, sandy texture. There is a definite smell of the wacky tabaccy when you're walking around the streets so if you really don't like it then obviously Amsterdam is not a good place to visit for you.


As for more cultural things, there are tons of little towns and villages close to Amsterdam which are easily accessible by train. We visited Zaanse Schans which is famous for it's windmills. It was a short trip on the train and the ticket was very cheap. Although the weather was a bit on the cold and damp side when we visited, the area was very pretty with lots of little tourist shops and cafés. There is also a cocoa factory there so when you get off the train there is a sweet chocolate-y smell in the air which is very unusual!

A windmill at Zaanse Schans

Shopping

Cheese

Of course the Netherlands is very famous for clogs so you'll find lots of these everywhere, but you'll also find lots of cheese shops and flowers as well, especially tulips. We visited the flower market but it was a bit of a let down, just lots of stalls with primarily seeds, but perhaps this is because we visited in November and it was out of season. My friends took home some cheese, but I just opted to pop into every cheese shop around and stuff my face with the delicious testers.
Also just in case: don't be a fool and try take any weed home with you ;)

#118 Travel Tips; Use Public Transport

So on my recent trip to Manila, Philippines I found myself stressed out and worried. Why? Because of transport. I had read that public transport in Manila is basically a no-go, and that it is better for tourists to use taxis (which are very cheap) and factor in lots of time going places due the crazy traffic.

So I was aware and prepared for this. However, after just one day I had established that despite the taxi’s being cheap, I was either being ripped off by them not using the meter, or I was being taken wherever the driver wanted when the meter was being used. Also in the evening it was difficult to get a taxi, and I had to stand alone on the side of the street and pray I wouldn’t be attacked while I waited, and also pray that whenever a taxi showed up that the taxi driver wouldn’t rip me off too much. 

As a lone traveler, the overpriced taxi fares started to add up to not actually that cheap anymore. Since they all speak English, I also hated making small talk with them. By the time my last day came around, I was too worried about arguing fares, having to wait for a taxi home, and making more dreaded small talk that I just stayed in the hostel all day.

But now I have learned something. I have learned that while travelling alone, I would actually prefer to use public transport, where the prices are fixed and I don’t have to argue about fares or deal with people or worry about where I might end up. If I get lost I can look at a map and try figure it out, or I can ask someone at the station. My safety could still be at risk, especially regarding pickpocketing etc, but I would be vigilant. It requires more planning on my part, but I am in control of the situation.

This is one of the factors why I will not be going to Siem Reap in Cambodia – I don’t think I could handle being ripped off or arguing with a driver all day, or constantly worrying about my safety. Some people can handle it, but not me. It’s neither relaxing not enjoyable and given the choice, I would rather not do it again. In a group this would be different, but alone I just can’t handle the stress. So from now on I will check the availability of public transport in an area before travelling.

#108 AirBnB in Japan

I recently went on a trip to Kyoto and Osaka. It was a Japanese public holiday, and everything booked up quite quickly. With no hostels available, or hotels in our price range, we ventured onto AirBnB.

If you don't know, it's basically an app where you can stay at a persons house. It's usually much cheaper than a hotel or even a hostel, especially if you have a group of 4 or 6. You even can find some unique places, but it all depends on the situation.

So I had downloaded the app and browsed through it before. Cheap prices and quirky locations sounded very tempting. But the thought of actually turning up to a strangers house, and just hoping for the best that it was like the photos, sounded a little scary. However, with no other options available, it was time to take a chance!

I was honestly very nervous about the whole thing (the added language barrier didn't help), and as I had suggested it, if it were to go horribly wrong I would have other people to answer to. The good news is, it was a great success! With a group of 6 of us, it was much cheaper than if we had gone to a hostel, and we had the places to ourselves. Both places were perfectly clean, and I had no complaints (and I do like to complain!).

My biggest recommendation for using AirBnB is to book somewhere which already has a lot of reviews. This is probably the best way for you to decide if the place is actually as listed and therefore a good choice. (I actually accidentally booked a place with no reviews, which really worried me as it is definitely not something I would purposely do, and although it was fine it really isn't worth the risk!)

You pay through the website so if anything does go wrong you can get a refund - it's just the being temporarily homeless thing would be the issue....

Some of the downsides; it was a hassle to be there at the allotted times to be shown around/given the key. We (as a group) had all agreed on times - but when it came down to it we were an hour early for the first place and had to wait outside, and the second place I had to check in by myself because everyone else went for dinner. Not ideal. The freedom of a hotel or hostel is much more advantageous, but I'm sure with some places they leave the key for you under a mat or in the postbox.

As we were a relatively big group having only one key was a bit tricky, we were trying to guess who would be home first, or if we should leave the door open if someone was coming home late and we wanted to sleep. Maybe some places have more than one key though..

Also, don't expect for everything to be exactly as listed. I was so relieved that it wasn't a scam and the houses were in good condition that I didn't care about anything else, but other members of the group were concerned about the wifi information or the "hot tub" they had listed (presumably a bath?). Although if they list it it should be there, it's not a hotel and you're not paying hotel prices. If it's a nice place for a good nights sleep, try not to stress over minor details.

Overall, I would like to stress that point. It's not a hotel, and you're (probably) paying far less than the hotel going rate. So you can't expect hotel service and hotel quality, and to do so would be foolish. If you want hotel quality, book a hotel. But if you want to take a chance, keep an open mind and try something new, then this is a good option for you.


Would I use it again? Honestly, not unless I had to. Although my experience this time was overwhelmingly good, I feel like the casual nature of it will always make me apprehensive, and the fear that if something goes wrong then I'm on the street or paying high rates for a last minute hotel is just too great.
But if everywhere else is booked up, or the prices are looking a little high, I'd definitely venture back on and see what I can find.

#98 London on the horizon

I'm going to London in a few weeks. I've been to London before, it was 5 years ago on my 18th birthday, and my older sister and I went for a weekend. We did the London Eye and the London Dungeons and we got one of those bus tours around everywhere else. It was the end of November and the Christmas lights were all up which was a nice touch.

Christmas!

So I've already been. But then I was only 18 and I was chaperoned by my older sister. This time I'm old and hardened and well travelled and I'll be with a friend (who I haven't seen for nearly 2 years, so you know it's gonna go down!).

London is horribly expensive, but then I've seen the major sites and I'll be with a friend who also happens to have a spare bed in her room which is wonderfully convenient!

Thankfully I'm a native English speaker and occasional viewer of Eastenders so there will be no language barrier to contend with on this occasion, and I think my biggest worry will be the currency. The pound-euro rate has more ups and downs than a rollercoaster, so even though I'm not going for a few weeks I've started eyeing up the exchange rates in order to try and get the best value.

The transport around London is pretty expensive, I'll probably be getting a £30 Oyster card, and travel within zones 1 and 2 (basically central London) has a max daily charge of £7. So (avoiding peak times!) it should be £28 over 4 days. Peak times are 6.30 am to 9.30am (easy enough to avoid I think) but again also from 4pm to 7pm, which is slightly more difficult to avoid, but by (Prince) George I'll try my best!

Not this kind of oyster though

#53 A List Of Free Things To Do In Stockholm

This is for the people who want to see Stockholm on a budget! There are so many great things to do here that don't cost money, so I will keep updating this post as I discover more fun things to do in Stockholm for free. The obvious things are walking the streets and sightseeing, but during the weekdays many museums are free in the evenings so it's good to check before your visit.

Katarina Hissen - Great viewing point of Stockholm. Located beside Slussen metro station.

Monteliusvägen - Viewing point. Take the metro to Mariatorget and then 5min walk.

Gamla Stan - The Old Town. Walk around cobbled streets. Located at Gamla Stan metro station.

Ericsson Globe Arena - The World's Most Spherical building! Metro stop Globen.

Maritime Museum - NOT to be confused with Vasa! Bus 69 from Sergels Torg to Museiparken.

Sports Museum - Bus 69 from Sergels Torg to Museiparken.

Free walking tours - Every weekend and some weekdays www.freetourstockholm.com

Changing of the guard - Located at the Royal Palace, usually Wednesdays and Sundays at 12pm

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo locations - Google it! Popular places are Fiskargatan 9 and Bellmansgatan1.

IKEA Kungens Kurva - Take the free IKEA bus from the city or go to Skarholmen metro station.

The Woodland Cemetery (Skogskyrkogarden) - Skogskyrkogarden metro station

Skeppsholmsbron (the bridge with the crown) - Bus 65 from central to Nationalmuseum.

Drottinggatan shopping street - Located near Stockholm central train/metro station.

[Stockholm Travel card: You can take the ferry, tram, see metro station art]


Special Days Only (most of these exclude June, July and August, please check in advance)

[Mondays only: Royal Coin Cabinet - Located at the Royal Palace. Metro to Gamla Stan]

[Tuesdays only: Nobel Museum (free from 5pm)  - Take the metro to Gamla Stan]

[Wednesdays only: Nordic Museum (free from 5pm) - Take the tram from Sergels Torg.
and Technology Museum (free from 5pm) -  Bus 69 from Sergels Torg to Museiparken.]

[Thursdays only: Army Museum (free from 5pm) - Take tram to Nybroplan
Royal Armoury (free from 6pm) -  Located at the Royal Palace. Metro to Gamla Stan]

[Fridays only: Moderna Museet (free from 6pm) - Bus 65 from central station
and Architecture Museum (free from 4pm to 6pm) - Bus 65 from central station
National History Museum - Take tram to Djgardsbron]