Firstly, bear with us as this keyboard's letters are partially rubbed off......

So Gatwick Airport - we didn't sleep a wink. Read our trashy mags and consumed our body weight in airport food. Then it was onto makeshift airlines, oh sorry, Easy Jet. You can see right into the Pilot's cabin! Finally, an hour of shut-eye.

Navigating the train and tram system here has been a funny time - signs written in Dutch are mighty scary! Finally we got to the hostel, "Inner Amsterdam", or perhaps "On the fringes of Amsterdam" or "Sauna Hostel". The room would make a mouse feel cramped, but it is more the lack of ventalation or air-con, that is truly killing us. Bless the hostel experience!

We looked around the city today, amazed at all the clogs and tulips for sale and the amazing architecture. Lost Vege in some coffee shop - he surfaced back in our room some time later looking a little vague and laughing alot - not sure what his story was???

Despite the cold and rain (contrary to all recent weather conditions and forecasts) we headed out tonight to see Amsterdam by night. Great Italian meal...in Holland...then off to THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT. All rather interesting, as were the countless propositions by locals on the way. Didn't get caught up in the madness - back at hostel now to have a quiet beverage.

Tomorrow it is museums and sites, and the purchasing of a jumper to battle the cold! Till then.