Part 8: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerpen - Cities with nice train stations...and ports...somewhere.

(13.07.2022-20.07.2022)

On Wednesday the 13.07. I leave Bremen in the morning for the Netherlands. As expected, once more there are problems with the train and I am stranded at the Duisburg train station - a beautiful construction site that is served by trains. Here you walk past excavators and barriers along the platform. Talking to some poor souls who have met the same fate makes the wait much more bearable. In the evening I arrive at the accommodation in Purmerend near Amsterdam - a very quiet and tranquil little house on the canal. The next day the big reunion with my brother Matthew awaits.

Matthew and I at breakfast in Purmerend, a pack of geese included

We both spend the following days mostly capturing the Amsterdam vibes. Since everything that is fun in this city generally costs at least €15, we mostly walk around, look around and relax a little. Since the city is incredibly beautiful, that doesn't bother us too much th.

A visit to the Maritime Museum and a few visits to the bar are, however, in the budget. Two city challenges (a kind of scavenger hunt) add a bit of background and history to the city - can be recommended! After 5 days, the time together in Amsterdam is over again. Hias travels on to Ghent, I'm driven to Rotterdam.

Farewell photo with Hias. Was great to see you again!

On 18.07. I´m off to Rotterdam for a day trip. A very modern city, with few beautiful and historical buildings - a result of massive bombings in the second world war. Although historically quite interesting, I'm quite happy to be able to move straight on to Antwerp in the evening.

My personal Rotterdam highlight: Santa Claus with his "Christmas tree". If you interpret it differently, don't worry - the locals affectionately call it "Santa with his butt plug".

In the evening in Antwerp I arrive at the hostel and learn about a metal concert that is taking place in a bar just around the corner. Of course I won't miss it! I get to know Theodora in the bar and then a small group from Antwerp's Meet Up Community. Spontaneously and without expectations, it turns into a great evening.

The remaining two days I look around the city a bit. Again a very impressive and beautiful city, but I finally realize that I've had enough of sightseeing and finally want to do something of value again.

So my Interrail time is now coming to an end. I originally wanted to visit these last three cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp, because of their ports, in order to continue my overseas mission there. However, all three of these cities are so decoupled from their ports that I had next to no opportunity to do so. So the idea of ​​working on a commercial transport ship to get overseas hasn't come an inch closer. What has not changed, however, but rather increased, is my enthusiasm for seafaring.

So the time for city trips is over, but the adventure has only just begun - the first ship is already waiting for me. The last train ticket in the Interrail Pass goes back to Hamburg Harburg, where Morpheus is supposed to bring me closer to my dreams...