Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Glasgow-Edinburgh
Glasgow-Edinburgh
London
London (Eye)
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Amsterdam - Apeldoorn
I can't stop praising Amsterdam! I believe it is like a dream city of mine, it has great people, it is not too big, and not too small, they have great nature spots, they recycle, it is in Europe (right in the middle of it! :D), they have free spirited people, easy going, and OF COURSE, they have cycle paths EVERYWHERE! The culture of cycling there is phenomenal. I really want to go there again some day!
The one full day I spent in Amsterdam the weather man had decided to send some pretty bad showers. This was great to see since I hadn't seen normal rainfall for a long time. There was thunder as well! Brave! In Scotland it rains a lot, but all the time, and not crazy wild showers, just some rain here, some there.
Anyway, I did go out in the city a bit. I also purchased a map of Netherlands and a good map for Germany. I do look up beforehand where I am going, but a map is a best buddy kind of thing. :D
It really helped a lot when I was wondering about to get to tonight's stop.
There was supposed to rain in Amsterdam and in Apeldoorn today, however, the weather was great all the way to the hostel. If anyone really cares, or pondering, here is the route I took (excluding the wrong ways :D) Amsterdam - Muiden - Naarden - Bussum - Laren - Baarn - Bunschoten-Spakenburg - NIjkerk - Voorthuizen -- Apeldoorn. The last bit from Voorthuizen to Apeldoorn was the easiest, and hardest at the same time. It was a long stretch of about 30km. It was great that for that bit of the route I didn't have to wonder if I was going the right way. However, I was tired, and seeing endless road ahead of me was pretty depressing. But then I did have to spend some extra minutes searching for the hostel.
Now I am again planning my later journey, planning what routes I'm taking and where I will spend the nights. For tomorrow I have luckily managed to find a place on Couch Surfing. This is the first time I am using this, so I am really hoping for a good experience. Plus I was lucky to get a response from a user since the Bed&Bike I e-mailed never replied until just recently saying they don't have any free beds for tomorrow night.
So off to bed soon, and then tomorrow, Germany, here I come! :)
*I will put up some pictures tomorrow morning. ;)
Time: 8.5h
Distance: 95km
P.S. The time I indicate is including the breaks and stops.
The one full day I spent in Amsterdam the weather man had decided to send some pretty bad showers. This was great to see since I hadn't seen normal rainfall for a long time. There was thunder as well! Brave! In Scotland it rains a lot, but all the time, and not crazy wild showers, just some rain here, some there.
Anyway, I did go out in the city a bit. I also purchased a map of Netherlands and a good map for Germany. I do look up beforehand where I am going, but a map is a best buddy kind of thing. :D
It really helped a lot when I was wondering about to get to tonight's stop.
There was supposed to rain in Amsterdam and in Apeldoorn today, however, the weather was great all the way to the hostel. If anyone really cares, or pondering, here is the route I took (excluding the wrong ways :D) Amsterdam - Muiden - Naarden - Bussum - Laren - Baarn - Bunschoten-Spakenburg - NIjkerk - Voorthuizen -- Apeldoorn. The last bit from Voorthuizen to Apeldoorn was the easiest, and hardest at the same time. It was a long stretch of about 30km. It was great that for that bit of the route I didn't have to wonder if I was going the right way. However, I was tired, and seeing endless road ahead of me was pretty depressing. But then I did have to spend some extra minutes searching for the hostel.
Now I am again planning my later journey, planning what routes I'm taking and where I will spend the nights. For tomorrow I have luckily managed to find a place on Couch Surfing. This is the first time I am using this, so I am really hoping for a good experience. Plus I was lucky to get a response from a user since the Bed&Bike I e-mailed never replied until just recently saying they don't have any free beds for tomorrow night.
So off to bed soon, and then tomorrow, Germany, here I come! :)
*I will put up some pictures tomorrow morning. ;)
Time: 8.5h
Distance: 95km
P.S. The time I indicate is including the breaks and stops.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The Amazing Race
London was glamorous, just as I remembered it. The Victoria bus station did bring back bad memories of how I had missed a bus to Glasgow when I was there in October, but being positive I was able to push the negativity astray. Since I was almost refused to take my bike on the bus to London I knew I had to pack my bicycle, so I would not have to worry about leaving it aside when I left for Amsterdam.
I got off the bus and went to find cardboard boxes and some tape. It didn't take too long, luckily. So then I was the odd girl at the bus station somehow wrapping up my love, my bicycle. I gave it to luggage storage to pick it up later, and headed to the city to meet up with Gunta and Kristiana (as random as that was..). We went for a dinner in a really neat Greek place. But time flew by, and the time we estimated to get me back to the bus station turned out to be short. Kristiana guided us through the city and London's subway, and we literally run to the Victoria bus station. It really was an amazing race! I got my bike, but was unable to take my bag. I grabbed it and run to gate 15, where my bus was calling last passengers. I imagine the view, a crazy gal running through with a bike that's somehow covered with cardboard boxes. My friends were both at different locations in the bus station. I run to the bus and the first thing they said was that I am too late!!! Deja vu much? I felt like fainting. I asked everyone there if I could do a late check in. I went to the desk and said, they said to come here for a late check in. I gave them my passport and run off to the luggage storage to get my bag. I run back. Gunta helped me to get the bag to the bus! I was mentally tired.
I got to the bus, gave my friends each a kiss and off on the bus I went; took the last empty seat. Gunta and Kristiana were at their happy dance, it was amazing. I am lucky to know some wonderful people like them!
So I was on a long ride to Amsterdam. Hours later morning came, and so did Amsterdam. After leaving the bus I unpacked my bike and off to the city centre I went. Soon I found my hostel. I have spent the day here, and in the city. Mostly I've been planning my next few days.
But tomorrow I will have all day in Amsterdam. Today I realized what an amazing place this is to start a long cycling journey. Amsterdam truly is the ultimate bicycle city. :D
I got off the bus and went to find cardboard boxes and some tape. It didn't take too long, luckily. So then I was the odd girl at the bus station somehow wrapping up my love, my bicycle. I gave it to luggage storage to pick it up later, and headed to the city to meet up with Gunta and Kristiana (as random as that was..). We went for a dinner in a really neat Greek place. But time flew by, and the time we estimated to get me back to the bus station turned out to be short. Kristiana guided us through the city and London's subway, and we literally run to the Victoria bus station. It really was an amazing race! I got my bike, but was unable to take my bag. I grabbed it and run to gate 15, where my bus was calling last passengers. I imagine the view, a crazy gal running through with a bike that's somehow covered with cardboard boxes. My friends were both at different locations in the bus station. I run to the bus and the first thing they said was that I am too late!!! Deja vu much? I felt like fainting. I asked everyone there if I could do a late check in. I went to the desk and said, they said to come here for a late check in. I gave them my passport and run off to the luggage storage to get my bag. I run back. Gunta helped me to get the bag to the bus! I was mentally tired.
I got to the bus, gave my friends each a kiss and off on the bus I went; took the last empty seat. Gunta and Kristiana were at their happy dance, it was amazing. I am lucky to know some wonderful people like them!
So I was on a long ride to Amsterdam. Hours later morning came, and so did Amsterdam. After leaving the bus I unpacked my bike and off to the city centre I went. Soon I found my hostel. I have spent the day here, and in the city. Mostly I've been planning my next few days.
But tomorrow I will have all day in Amsterdam. Today I realized what an amazing place this is to start a long cycling journey. Amsterdam truly is the ultimate bicycle city. :D
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Glasgow - Edinburgh
Where to start?
This is my first post, so I better tell you all what this is. I've been living in Scotland for two and a half years now, and I decided it is finally time to move back to Latvia. I've been wanting to do this for a while now, however, I couldn't find the right time. So instead of waiting for the right time, I just decided to make things happen. But to make things more adventurous I am cycling most of the way. I begun my journey yesterday as I cycled all the way from Glasgow to Edinburgh. This was the first long ride that I have ever been on. It went better than I thought.
I left Glasgow soon after 11 AM and it took me roughly 6 hours to get to Edinburgh. I think I would have never departed if it hadn't been for my brother. He helped me more that I would have ever imagined anyone helping me. His kind heart got me where I am now.
The ride was not easy, I got lost and confused a few times. But the beautiful nature and scenery made me care less about the time or location, I just sucked in last of the gorgeous Scotland. I knew I would reach Edinburgh eventually, and that's all that really mattered at that time. After checking google maps for the approximate route I was taking, I learned that the total distance I rode was 85 km. I spent the night at a hostel in Edinburgh city centre. The hostel Caledonian Backpackers was really neat, great and helpful staff, very tidy and clean, nice people, and very, very cosy, had a great atmosphere, the bed was comfortable and sheets were clean. All in all I really wish I had more time to stay there.
Now I am on the bus and on the way to London. Today evening I will be hopping another bus to Amsterdam. So tomorrow morning I will be getting of the bus in The Netherlands. There I shall spend two days and on the 30th of May I start my long tour from Amsterdam to Latvia. So far I've met nice people along the way and have had only the best experience.
Now a nap, and I'll wake up in London. Peace out. :D
Time: 8h
Distance: 85 km
This is my first post, so I better tell you all what this is. I've been living in Scotland for two and a half years now, and I decided it is finally time to move back to Latvia. I've been wanting to do this for a while now, however, I couldn't find the right time. So instead of waiting for the right time, I just decided to make things happen. But to make things more adventurous I am cycling most of the way. I begun my journey yesterday as I cycled all the way from Glasgow to Edinburgh. This was the first long ride that I have ever been on. It went better than I thought.
I left Glasgow soon after 11 AM and it took me roughly 6 hours to get to Edinburgh. I think I would have never departed if it hadn't been for my brother. He helped me more that I would have ever imagined anyone helping me. His kind heart got me where I am now.
The ride was not easy, I got lost and confused a few times. But the beautiful nature and scenery made me care less about the time or location, I just sucked in last of the gorgeous Scotland. I knew I would reach Edinburgh eventually, and that's all that really mattered at that time. After checking google maps for the approximate route I was taking, I learned that the total distance I rode was 85 km. I spent the night at a hostel in Edinburgh city centre. The hostel Caledonian Backpackers was really neat, great and helpful staff, very tidy and clean, nice people, and very, very cosy, had a great atmosphere, the bed was comfortable and sheets were clean. All in all I really wish I had more time to stay there.
Now I am on the bus and on the way to London. Today evening I will be hopping another bus to Amsterdam. So tomorrow morning I will be getting of the bus in The Netherlands. There I shall spend two days and on the 30th of May I start my long tour from Amsterdam to Latvia. So far I've met nice people along the way and have had only the best experience.
Now a nap, and I'll wake up in London. Peace out. :D
Time: 8h
Distance: 85 km
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