Lugged my backpack from Amsterdam CS down to Hotel Alexander, where I was staying. That’s a long walk when you have a heavy backpack, don’t know how to use the trams, don’t know which tram to catch and only know vaguely where you’re going. It’s only about a mile and a half, two miles, but that’s a long way with 15 kilos on your back and another few in your hand. Finally got to my destination – I only had to consult a map once, and only missed being run over by a speeding bicycle about twice. The hotel room was quite pleasant, and with breakfast included, well worth the 80 € a night. En-suite bathroom, window that opened out onto a quiet courtyard type area, personal safe and a TV – didn’t need more.

Tuesday evening, after checking in to Hotel Alexander, I went wandering around the city, just seeing what was on offer. Started to orient myself with the roads so I could find my way back to the hotel, and stumbled across a chess game being played on one of those 10 foot x 10 foot boards that some places have on the ground. Hung around there for 2 games, enjoying the banter (even though I couldn’t understand a word!) between the players. It was a bit windy and chilly, but not too bad. Found a VVV office (tourism folks, they sell everything related to tourist activity in the country, and provide information too), and acquired myself a 48-hour tram ticket for 10 € and the assorted bits needed to visit Keukenhof (approx. 37 €).

Went to Sama Sebo that night for dinner – their nasi goreng was meant to be pretty damn good. Asked at the front desk, and they had no clue where I was on about, so off I went in the general direction that the map indicated. Got to the road it was meant to be on, and couldn’t see it. Walked about 1/4 of a mile down the road, in the drizzle, trying to find the restaurant. Didn’t see it, so I gave up, and walked back up the road… and found it, right where I had started. The guide book wasn’t wrong either, the nasi goreng was pretty damn good. The atmosphere in Sama Sebo was wonderful, though it seemed to be a place that required night to be a good place to go – I think some of the atmosphere would be lost in the day.