City of Canals, Boats and Pirates.
Captains Log Day 7 – 29/07/16 7:06 am. Transavia
The Bridge and the surroundings did not cease to impress as we took photos, and did tourist things. Finally parched from our walking and satisfied by our voyage so far we looked for a Bar to celebrate. Our pirate instincts kicked in as we walked past a sailboat that had been converted into a bar – This was just meant to be.
Fighting the urge to make our ways to the Captains deck we placed ourselves in the cabin, and started slamming down some of the finest pirate ales we could get our hands on. Hours passed. – What seemed like hours and finally well marinated we stumbled out of the sailboat, unfortunately this time we were not able to undock and sail home though the thought did arise. Many times.
It seemed that the intoxication had gotten the better of us and the sun had set – the time was to commence our induced happy journey back to town. A very happy train ride and the clock moved to the AM hours, the stronghold approached.
Catching up on sleep the squads last day commenced a little later than usual, however it was precious sleep that the crew had to bank – the days ahead would come with only a few hours sleep. We were to fly at 6am the following morning, this day had to mean something, this day had to lay a milestone of our Amsterdam leg of our trip. That it did.
Starting off with beers and eye candy at the red light district the squad managed to board an unlimited drinks day boat cruise around Amsterdam. When in Amsterdam, drink Heineken and tour around the canals. At one point I was not sure if it was the boat rocking or our minds at this point and the time was only 5PM.
Once again failing to commandeer the boat we disembarked, once again we were stumbling. Apparently, hijacking any vessel is frowned upon; even if you’re a pirate.
Pleasantly lubricated we had a pit stop at our dock and joined the Amsterdam Pub Crawl, which coincidently crossed our dock. The night went to plan, drinks, dancing, socialising with a sprinkle of “doing heavy things”. Bar to bar we hopped, skipped, danced and ran, time creeping towards our last hours in the country and our minds we started drowning in the elixir. 2:30 am struck as we stumbled to our dock paranoid on how we were to lower our load the luggage down from the 3rd floor in a stairwell barely 1 meter wide. The struggle was real. The luggage made it. Nobody slipped. Win!
Marinated like Nandos chicken, 0 hours of sleep, in our clubbing outfits we zipped our bags across Amsterdam to reach Central Station. Loading our bags we were off to the airport, red eyed drunk and minds jumbled like moms spaghetti.
It was time to say goodbye once again to the country that had given us so much, and taken so many of our brain cells.
Donation complete. We left our minds, our lungs and our marks on Amsterdam City.
Amsterdam, old friend and older foe, once again with a bittersweet feeling, we bid thee farewell. The ship once again has been battered, and beaten as it escapes the tumultuous seas of such a land. The squad remains a little scattered, a little exhausted, and all in all completely satisfied by their efforts of surviving the adult Disneyland.
For the fifth time in the country, we arrived by train. The squad proceeded to spend most of the day exploring. The captain feeling a little sea sick retired early to the dingy cabin located in the heart of the city, with narrow steep stairwells, curving like fusilli pasta. During this time, the rebel leader and co-captain rekindled an old flame with the city by exploring new found lands, with streets full of exotic foods, drinks, and other hallucinogenic substances.
Returning from their mini adventure the battalion brought gifts for the Captain. This pleased the captain and he did not know if it was the gesture of the gifts or the gifts themselves that stimulated his senses more. The day ended with these high notes.
The head of the curiosity stick poked its little head, and prompted the team to venture out of Amsterdam Central. It was time to take it out of the city and explore lands that none of the members had been to. Loaded with supplies the battalion decided to target Rotterdam.
Smashing some Mannkien Pies Fritz (The best in Amsterdam) the squad boarded a train to Rotterdam, enjoying the scenery (vividly) along the way.
The mentally eventful train ride flew by, we disembarked to our first Dutch rural adventure. We strolled around exploring, stopping to try some fruit juices, and snacks (jackfruit chips) as well as utilising the supplies. One thing worth mentioning at this point, as we walked past an organic fruit shop, the captain and the co-captain bought a Nectarine (when in Rome). Words cannot describe the taste and the juiciness of this fruit. It was by far the best fruit we had ever eaten. Covered in the sweet nectar of nectarine we continued.
Our adventurous walk led us firstly to a megastructure Market Hall (Markthal) which blew our minds, a curved warehouse; the building itself being a masterpiece of architectural art. Here we bought and devoured local Olives seasoned with tomatoes, herbs and garlic. Overwhelmed by the awesomeness of the structure, and palates fully satisfied we headed to the next pinned drop location – Erasnus Bridge.
