London -> Paris -> Amsterdam

Yes loyal readers, it has been a packed couple of days.

We left London and caught the Eurostar to Paris, where we found out that our accomodation was quite far from the centre of Paris by the taxi driver asking us.

"So, why did you choose to stay so far out of Paris?". That and the 50 Euro taxi fare to get us there.

The hotel itself was fine, but it was a hassle to just get into paris, requiring us to catch a bus and a train. Its really hard to get around in a city you know nothing about, whose transport system you dont understand.

Having said that, it is one of the reasons that I went on this trip, to learn to be more independent, and experience differnt things.

Paris is beautiful, even more so than London, the buildings are amazing and it truly does deserve its reputation as a romantic city. Notre Dame was amazing, the Paris Opera house owns the Sydney one in terms of class and the Musee D'Orsay and the Lourve were unbelievable.

Like it or not, I am slowly being culturefied on this trip. I have discovered an appreciation for art, by looking at some beautiful works of art by the most celebrated artists that ever lived.

I am surprised at the liking that i took to the renoirs, sisleys, Monets and most of the impressionist movements at the d'Orsay. The Lourve Building itself is incredible, just walking into the area is an experience and the museum itself is the biggest in the world. The Mona Lisa is mysterious but overated in my very educated opinion :P The effect is spoilt by the 5 guards who are currently telling you to move along and the crowd of 100 other people who are pushing each other to see it.

Funny Story:

Alby got himself escorted out of the area after he tried to take a photo, got told off by a guard, assured him that it wouldnt happen again and then immediately tried to take another photo. This was during our guided tour, so of course we lost him for the rest of it.

Getting home after NYE was a struggle as we met got to our station and found Taxi drivers who had formed a conglomerate and were trying to ask for triple the price of a normal fare to get home. There was no way we were gonna pay them, so after a long struggle we got a bus and made it home, where alby and I sat with some polish, the highlight being the drunk polish who kept leaning on me and telling me about the ukraine and eating fish with vodka in very ver slurred speech....

The Eurail is easy to use and we arrived in Amsterdam with no problems. It should be noted tho that we have the crappest tickets available and are forced to sit in the luggage area, but thats ok, all part of the budget backpacking experience.

Our first meal in Amsterdam was "ALL YOU CAN EAT RIBS". Of course I was in heaven. The ribs came with 3 sauces, Honey Soy, Chilli and BBQ. Awesome. 15 Euros is a small price to pay for such extravagance. We got Fries and Salad also, (Unlimited of course). It is a decent competition for R and R.

We then walked around Amsterdam and let me just say, the stories are true and just leave it at that. We have family members reading this!

Amsterdam is a very nice city. It is much more relaxed and the people are much nicer than the French. Definitely Recommend.

Miles