First Day in Europe

Flew out of Hilo and almost exactly 24 hours later we arrived at the Schipol airport in Amsterdam. Kim forced to stay awake for the first leg of the flight from Honolulu to Seattle (5 hours) and then after a 7 hour layover we took off and we were able to sleep all the way for the 9 hour flight to Amsterdam.

We almost didn't get sit together but Kim worked her magic with the flight people at the desk and we were able to sleep on each other's shoulders.

Once in Amsterdam we picked up our rental car from Avis at the airport. The first car they gave us had a dead battery so they upgraded us, to a four door! All rental cars are stick here so that was a change.

From Amsterdam we drove immediately south to France headed to Reims. The drive took about 5 hours and thanks to google maps we made it there with no wrong turns and no GPS. Once we got to Reims we checked in at the hostel ($59 a night) and then headed to the city center for a (rushed) tour of the Mumm champagne house and some tastings.

After the tour we walked downtown a bit and came across the beautiful city hall. After stumbling in, a very friendly front desk person asked if we wanted a tour. Even though it was after hours and they were having a reception that evening, he showed us several of the beautiful halls and meeting rooms.

Reims has a beautiful central cathedral that is in the process of being renewed due to time and pollution damage. You know you are in champagne country when even the churches have stained glass dedicated to it.


For dinner we walked along the boulevard where there were 100's of restaurants to choose from and we chose Le Latinos. My dish was inedible, but the atmosphere was great. It was a crostini pizza type thing but all the toppings were canned, so just kinda unusual.

The streets in the city center are all old of course and quite a maze if you are not familiar with the layout.

Typing this at the CIS Champagne hostel during breakfast in their cafeteria.

places we are interested in

www.hema.nl -- one stop shopping

9 narrow streets - heart of ams. chic shops, fun walk, food, people watching. "de negen straatjg"

northern market - vintage, apple pie "Noordermarkt"

coffeeshop: de rokerij

shop/gallery: droog -- modern design www.droogdesign.nl

spiegelstraat -- shops, galleries, walk, cross all the important canals. Tram 6, 7, 10

art in a building site: stedelijk museum 2nd and 3rd floor of the posts

bakery: Brebakkerswinkel address: Warmoesstratt

brewery with tastings and outdoor cafe: Brouwerif 't ij

de jaren cafe "the years" www. cafedejaren.com simple good food

de kas - restaurant and greenhouse www.restaurantdekas.nl

nieuwmarket -- full of pubs

catch a ferry to the north - can take your bicycle with you: Wilhemina dock

Bimhuis - lots of different kinds of music. relaxed atmosphere, good view. www.bimhuis.nl

restaurant and club: 11 -- www.ilove11.nl

Hotel Arena - restaurant, club

AREAS:

Centrum - use bicycle or walk to explore.

Eilanden - "the islands" - cycle. interesting architecture

de pijp

STREETS:

Albert cuyp - area, de pijp

Kalverstraat - area, Centrum

Reguliersdwarsstraat - gay street in Centrum

PC hoofstraat -- exclusive stores

Zeedijk - China town, area Centrum

PARKS and BEACHES

Nemo - water park on top of building address: Oosterdok 2 , area Centrum

Vondelpark - MUST see park. Blue tea house. Big park

westerpark: new park, chill out spot, lake, old buildings. cultural complex, cinema, art factory, gallery

Must dos
paleis op de dam
Rijksmuseum
VanGogh Museum
Leidseplein
Red Light District
Heineken Brouwerij
Bloemenmarkt
Westerkerk
Rembrandtplein
Rokin/Damrak/Central Station

First!

To document the travels from Hilo HI to Amsterdam, Finland, France, England.