I was awake around 7 AM and after breakfast I walked to the station. I took the train to Utrecht where I had to transfer to the train to Schiphol. The check in there went smoothly and after the baggage check I walked to the border control which also went quickly. I went looking for a special battery for my camera, but found none. After a coffee and sandwich, I walked to the gate (G9) and waited to be able to walk through. A little later than planned the airplane departed. The time I spent watching movies, eating and sleeping. Also I saw the beautiful Greenland, which I never before had seen in daylight. Mountains with snow and glaciers.
Around 2 PM we landed and I joined the long line of passengers who had to go through customs. It took nearly 45 minutes. After getting my bag, I went looking for the exit to the car rental. That turned out to be in the basement of the garage. Again a row. Eventually I got my car, a Toyota Yaris. The insurance (CDW) proved to be just as expensive as the rent, a setback, but as I could not do otherwise.
Using my iPad I drove to the hotel. A distance of about 15 kilometers and after some searching, because some roads proved to be one way, I found the hotel on Robson street. I checked in and got a simple room on the ground floor. A bed, a table, wardrobe and bathroom, no other luxury. I parked my car in the garage, which cost me CA$ 20 again. So the money went quickly out of my wallet.
It was raining, because this weekend is very wet. They expected as much rain as they had the past 4 months. I got some money from an ATM here and looked if I could find a battery for my camera. Turned out they did not have one here.
Back in my room I watched TV. I was tired and skipped the dinner. I went to bed around 11 PM.
Initial publication: 01 september 2015
Last update: 01 september 2015
© A. Heeroma