Rotterdam

It seemed a bit industrial to me, but I’ve been told that it’s nicer away from the port.

have the ‘Apple Pie’ at Dudok.

First, I woke up early in the morning in London. I knew I wanted to get to Holland but I didn’t know where I would be sleeping that night. I got to the train station only about 40 minutes after the first of only 2 boats left from Harwich, England. So I waited around London for a while-and got lost-before taking the 40 minute train to Harwich Landing/port/dock. I knew I had hours before the next boat so I went to Harwich Town. I walked circles around the streets and soaked in the views—I was bored and lonely. I met a couple of teenagers and talked to them for a few minutes but that was the only contact I had. I made my way back to the train station and then headed back one stop to Harwich Port.

I ended up hanging out in the station for 3 hours or more before I finally boarded this huge boat that takes you to The Netherlands. I can’t even remember where you first land but after the long ride (plus you lose an hour), I hopped on the train toward Rotterdam. I first got off in Den Haag, which is past Rotterdam, and called a hostel but they were booked. I then called a hostel in Rotterdam and they had one bed left. So I got on a train back to Rotterdam and was on my own to find my way to this hostel. It was 2:30 in the morning.

You should have seen the bike parking outside this train station. Packed. Thousands of bikes piled on top of each other. Plus, everyone is riding around on them, even at 2:30 in the morning! I started walking in the wrong direction and went up to a group of girls who had just left the bars. Out of the five of them, one spoke English. She pointed me in the general direction of my hostel.

Back, past the train station and two blocks later, I came to a Hotel that was closed for the night. Luckily, the night watchman let me in and even helped guide me with the map I had bought on the boat. What a guy!

It was now 3am. I walked in the direction of where the gentleman told me to go and I got there! The hostel still had one bed and it was mine!

Needless to say, I was exhausted. I still felt lonely the next day but nothing compared to being in a foreign city at 3 in the morning without a bed!

Rotterdam was a bit too urban for my tastes, but the cube houses make a visit worthwhile, check them out!

I like Rotterdam better than the Hague, and would go either to Rotterdam or Utrecht for a second Holland stop. There isn’t any must-see thing in Rotterdam. The Boijmans van Beuningen Museum is worth visiting if you have an open mind regarding modern art; we found it entertaining. My favorite things about Rotterdam were the great Surinamese food and the peaceful, clean atmosphere.

Travel rating: 4/10