Berlin To Amsterdam

My flight from Amsterdam to San Francisco leaves today at 2:50. I am at a hotel close to a train station that will get me to the airport in 4 minutes. It will take me longer to walk to the station than it will for the train to get me to the airport.  Checkin for my flight at the airport won't be available until 11:50, so I have some time. I will leave myself plenty of time since I'd rather have time on my hands at the airport rather than rushing to get there to make my flight. Random thoughts: For beautiful scenery and warm hospitality, put a visit to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on your list of places to see and stay. This trip was my second visit there and it will not be my last. German and Dutch trains are convenient, affordable, and efficient as well as smooth riding. You can get  many places by rail or bus, and if you miss one train, another will be along soon. It is very easy for English speakers to communicate in both Germany and The Netherlands. Like many Europeans, German a...

 My stay in Europe is winding down and, much as I love to travel, I am ready to go back home. It is Sunday morning and here in The Hague, we may have unsettled weather today. My trip has been blessed with good weather. The first two days were rainy, but since then most days have been sunny and pleasant.* *by my standards which are possibly different (definitely different according to some people I know) from the standards of others. Often while other passengers were bundled up as if heading to Antarctica I was in short sleeves.    On Friday I took the short 12 minute train ride from The Hague to Delft, home of Delft Blue Ceramics. With the help of Greta Google, I made my way from the train station to the old town center with its large market square. The square is book ended by the old Town Hall and the New Church. The square is lined on both sides with restaurants and shops. I am sure if the residents from centuries past could see their present market square, they would o...

   This morning I faced the monumental task of getting my luggage down 4 flights of very narrow, very steep stairs from the attic to the ground floor of the VRBO in which I stayed in Amsterdam. I succeeded without breaking a leg, arm, my neck, or my ass, so I felt quite accomplished, ate breakfast next door at the little brasserie and UBERed to Amsterdam Centraal for my train to The Hague. I was quite early but found that my ticket was good for any train headed to The Hague, so I boarded, switched at the airport, and had a smooth uneventful train trip to the Hague. Where I am staying in the Hague is an aparthotel that is literally multiple steps down from my attic accommodations in Amsterdam as I am on the ground floor, but since it has a small kitchen, table, private toilet and shower, and a separate bedroom, it is quite a step up for me. I have dubbed it the James Bond Suite since, you guessed it, I am in apartment 007. I have not really gotten a feel for The Hague yet as I ...

    Perhaps you have noticed a gap between entries. This was not by choice. It was caused by the lack of internet for about three days on board the MS Victor Hugo. To be honest, being untethered from the internet was kind of relaxing, no news headlines, no Facebook, no emails. We have become so dependent on the internet for information that once we get over the shock of being internetless, we actually begin to pay attention to other people and have conversations.    I will try to recreate what has been happening for the past few days in reverse order. First, the cruise has been a wonderful experience and I plan to cruise with CroisiEurope in the future. The company is family owned. All of the emplo yees whom I have met have been courteous, professional, and friendly. In spite of being one of 6 English speakers on board, the language barrier has not been insurmountable. Every meal has been wonderful and our excursions have been very good. Last night we arrived in Amst...