Prague to Amsterdam

Early start this morning. Left our K &K Hotel for the railway station with plenty of time to spare. Again we waited for our departure platform to appear on the electronic display, then it is a mad race to get onto the platform and in the area where our carriage will pull up with our suitcases and backpacks. Not a mean feat, considering lifts are scarce and sometimes the escalators are not operating.

This time a freindly and helpful local gave us a hand lifting our suitcases not only onto the train but up onto the overhead luggage racks. Gee, we were impressed with such a helpful individual until he put out his hand for a tip!. This was his way of collecting money. Poor thing wasn't getting too much from us as our Czech Kroner had almost been spent but he got all that was left in coin and the last of the notes, about $4 or $5.

Each of the three trains we travelled on were all a little bit different. The train from Prague travelled a considerable part of the way along the Elbe River and we were able to recognise towns, locks and sights we had seen on the cruise.  It took 4 and half hours to travel to Berlin, there we had a lazy 50 mins to change platforms, buy some lunch/afternoon tea then board the train for Duisburg.

The countryside we passed through showed the late spring richness of green crops and vegetation. Our change of trains at the Duisburg Station took longer than scheduled, a 110 minute delay caused us to be late arriving into Amsterdam by 2 hours. By the time we checked in at our hotel and into our rooms it was just before midnight. We were exhusted.

As DH and I are staying in Amsterdam for 4 nights before flying home and our friends, Brian and Roz and Roger and Merrilyn are joining another cruise to travel onto Budapest, we said our goodbyes at breakfast.

We have had a lovely time sharing our holiday experiences with them, along with lots of laughs. We would not have been able to have this holiday without them, especially Brian who planned all the details. Thank you.