[Europe] From Amsterdam to Brussels with Mega Bus

It was the second day of my Europe Trip, and we're going to Brussels. To go to Brussels, i chose to take a "Mega Bus" ride from Amsterdam. The bus fare is quite cheaper than a train ride, £14 pp (it costs €40 pp to take Thalys train). And it also doesn't take a long time to go to Brussels (about 3 hours). Otherwise, i want to have an experience to go to another city by taking a bus. It must be nice with a beautiful view that i would see.

We started this trip from Amsterdam Centraal Station. We took tram 26 at CS tram Oostzijde towards IJBurg, and get down at the 4th stop (Zuiderzeeweg). Right behind this stopped, you'll see a large parking area, called "Zeeburg P&R coach park". This is the place where we gonna take Mega Bus.

inside the tram

When we arrived, the place was so quite. Even i couldn't see any people there. I feel worried if we're at the wrong place. Because we were there with large luggages, and it's gonna be hard for us to find another transportation.

Luckily, we met the security, and he told me that the place was at the end of the parking area. We walked to that place, and he was right. We saw a Mega Bus there. But there's no people there. Maybe it's too early ( i came 90 minutes before departure schedule :P)

30 minutes before the departure, peoples started to come. The staff checked our printed ticket (we've made reservation before) and the bus was ready to go. The departure schedule is at 11.30 am. Make sure you won't come late. Because they will not wait for you.

The bus is clean and comfortable. They also have a restroom inside the bus. So don't worry about the long trip ^^ During this trip, we saw the beautiful view of Netherlands. I'm so glad that we took this bus. So we could enjoy the view in Netherlands. Even though we're not exploring another city at Netherlands.

First time i made reservation at Mega Bus, they told me that the bus would stop at "Bruxelles Central" station. That's why we chose this bus. Because it's not far from the "Grand Place", so we could take a walk from the station to Grand Place. But, about 1 month before departure, i received an email from "Mega Bus". They told me that the stop has been changed. Start from July 16th, 2015, Mega Bus will stop at Rue du Progres, next to Gare du Nord.

It was confusing me at the first time. Because i didn't know anything about Gare du Nord area, and i was afraid running out of time in Brussels. However, when we were there, it didn't confused me as i was thinking before. I just need to take a train at the Gare du Nord towards Bruxelles Midi, and get down at the first stop (Bruxelles Central).

at Gare du Nord, Brussels 

Well, welcome to Brussels!! Don't forget to try the "real" Belgian waffles (and chocolate too!!). It's so delicious ^^

P.S. :

Don't forget to make a reservation at megabus.com few days before, and print your ticket. You can't buy the ticket on the spot.

[Europe] A Cold Summer in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the first city that i was visited during my Europe trip. We arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the morning. Without took a long time, we were going to train station, and bought the tickets to go to Amsterdam Centraal Station. It costs around €5 pp (half price for child ticket).

Albert Heijn at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport 

At the train, i saw all the local peoples wearing a jacket. But i didn't think about it because i was busy to keep our luggages. I realized the weather was cold, when we walked out from the train station. The wind blew and it really froze us. We wore the wrong outfit!!! Luckily Aurelia wore a sweater.

In Amsterdam, we stayed at Ibis Amsterdam Centre, which located exactly next to the Amsterdam Centraal Station. After we arrived at Amsterdam Centraal Station, we went to the hotel for check in.

Hotel Ibis Amsterdam Centre has a very strategic location. You can reach this hotel only a few steps from Amsterdam Centraal Station. The room rates also not too expensive. It's around  €120 / night, including breakfast (their breakfast menu is so delicious). You also can get a great view from this hotel. I took these pictures below from the hotel.

Stroopwafels from the vending machine at Hotel Ibis Amsterdam Centre 

After that, we went to Amsterdam Tourist Office which located in front of the Amsterdam Centraal Station. We bought "Amsterdam & Region Day Ticket". We can use this card to all the tram ride in Ansterdam, and the bus to another city such as Volendam for 24 hours. The price will be cheaper than a single ticket. It costs €13,5 pp (same price for the child). So for my daughter, i only bought an OV card for tram ride at Amsterdam. The sales said that it would be cheaper if we bought a different ticket to go to Volendam at the bus for Aurelia.

I didn't have a lot of time at Amsterdam. I started by go to "I Amsterdam" sign. Its located in front of Rijksmuseum. To go to Rijksmuseum, you can take tram 2 or 5 from Amsterdam Centraal Station Tram Westzijde. Rijksmuseum is at the 8th stop.

Mr. Kaws at I Amsterdam 

In Front Of Rijksmuseum 

I arrived at Rijksmuseum around at 5 pm. I started to enjoy the weather. It's not as cold as in the morning. Very nice weather to walked around.

The next stop is a Dam Square. Dam Square is a must place to go when you're in Amsterdam. There's a lot of stores that you can visit. However, they only open until 8pm. Make sure you go there before 8pm.

Royal Palace Amsterdam at Dam Square 

Beside the shopping places, you also can go to Madame Tussauds. It also located at Dam Square. If you stay near Amsterdam Centraal Station, you don't need to take a tram to go to Dam Square. You can go to Dam Square by walking through Damrak (about 1 km).

Amsterdam Centraal Station from Damrak

At the nice weather, you will enjoy to walk at Damrak. Many things to see, and also many peoples walk at that place. One thing that you have to try at Damrak is "Manneken Pis" Holland's fries. That is the most famous Holland's fries in Amsterdam. It's not hard to find this place. They always have a long queue, but don't worry, it only take 5- 10 minutes until your turn.

I bought a small size with the mayonnaise for the dipping sauce. They have another sauce as well, but they said that mayonnaise is the best seller. An they're right!!! The mayonnaise was really yumm. But, the fries was just so so. Nothing special with the fries. It's really thick. Be careful, they have a very big portion. I only bought the small size, and i still couldn't finish it. Although, i shared it with all my family.

It was at 7 pm, we're all felt tired. So we went back to our hotel, took a rest for a moment. For a dinner, we took away some foods from "Wok To Walk". They're selling asian food in box such as fried rice, fried noodle. You can choose the topping and the sauce, and they will cook it with your noodle / rice.

Fried Rice Noodle with Soy Sauce

After had a dinner, we're going to Red Light District. Of course my daughter didn't follow us. It's a prostitution place. She stayed at hotel with her uncle.

Red Light District is located not far from our hotel. It's located behind the Damrak. Just across the street in front of "Manneken Pis" fries. And then walk through the small street. You'll find many sex shops at that place.

The Oude Church at Red Light District 

I don't know whether it's because i walked to early or what, but it's not as crowded as i thought. I only saw a few girls behind the rooms, with a half naked. The reason for me to go to Red Light District is for the show. The famous place to watch the sex show is Casa Rosso. However, when i went to that place, i didn't see even 1 people at that place. I was afraid if that place was a tourist trap. So we decided to not watch that show. We just walked around to see the Red Light District and enjoyed Amsterdam before we're leaving tomorrow..

P.S. : I couldn't take a lot of pictures at Red Light District. Because i heard that if you took a picture there, the guards will take your camera and break it. Even though i didn't see any guard, i still didn't want to take a risk.



I Amsterdam Sign - Rijksmuseum 
Netherlands, Hobbemastraat 19, 1071 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Manneken Pis - Belgian Fries
Damrak 41, 1012 LK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website : http://www.mannekenpis.nl/

Wok To Walk 
- Leidsestraat 96, 1017 PE Amsterdam, Netherlands
  Sunday - Thursday : 11 am - 3 am
  Friday - Saturday : 11 am - 4 am
- Damstraat 44, 1012 JM Amsterdam, Netherlands
  Sunday - Wednesday : 11 am - 2 am
  Thursday : 11 am - 3 am
  Friday - Saturday : 11 am - 4 am
Website : http://woktowalk.com/