Finally found a PC with decent internet connection and with access to msn properly.
After London, i took eurostar to Brussel. Haiz, another boring city. i covered the city centre in like 2 hours? anyway, i went knowing that its gonna be boring so no complains. I always looked forward to my next destination, amsterdam. i have always been facinated by the dutch lady, the wind mills, the wooden clogs and of cos, those women standing in the windows… but something happened here and it really changed my travelling pattern entirely.
initially, i only wanted to spent one night in amsterdam. after chatting to misschi, i thought i should give myself another night here. I had booked a hostel recommended by lonely planet for my first night. as their recommendations are always so popular, i had to seek alternative for my 2nd night. i went online and got myself another bed at anne-marie hostel which had pretty good reviews on hostelworld.com
i went over from flying pig (the hostel recommened by lonely planet) at 8 in the morning. when i arrived at anne-marie, the recep said check in at 12 only, fine, i left my back pack at the door and continued my exploration around amsterdam.
At 12 sharp, i went back, they told me the hostel was fully booked, but they have arranged for me to stay at another hostel, they say its exactly the same. 3 tram stations away (the recept told me2, but i know its THREE). gave me a handwritten address of the hostel, told me to go there and ask for directions myself. super KNS
when i finally found that street, i was damn uncomfortable with the environment. it was in those pubbing street. when i arrived, there were already 4 ang mos that were already sent over by the same hostel. they were hoo-haaing about where to put their valuable. this new hostel told them not to put valuables in the room, but to carry it with them all the time.
nvm, the check in desk was a counter in the pub. i was given this check in form to fill in. i went to the nearest table and i saw a guy handling some powder (like those guys handling drugs in tv show kind). i know this is amsterdam. the flying pig even wrote we are allowed to smoke marijuana in the hostel but at least i did not witness anyone really doing it!
i asked to see the room first. argh then they changed me to a 4-bed room immediately although i booked a 10 bedder!!!
i went up, totally disgusted. the room has a smell!!!!! and there were already other people’s barang in there. obviously those guys already staying in there have been smoking!
super pissed off. i refused to stay, wanted to walk out already. that guy stopped me, say need to speak to the 1st hostel 1st. kaoz, the first hostel keep telling me its the same its the same. i told him to refund my one night accomodation and he refused. that i must stay there. i cant be bothered with him. i told him i am just gonna give him a bad review on the internet so that he cant get biz and walk out. the hostel guy came after me, say i must return my hostel reservation form to him. i tore it up in front of him. my credit card number was on that form!
this whole damne business took like 1-2 hrs. i was quite pissed and tired walking ard like an idiot with my backpack! i went back to the place where i stayed the first night. i decided no more hostel for me cos although the hostel recommend by lonely planet was really good, there was this guy in my room that snored thruout the night!
i walked into sofitel and asked for a room. euro 320, only one room left. i took it!!!!!!
NO MORE HOSTEL FOR ME. i have cancelled my hostel booking in berlin although that was also recommended by lonely planet. and this time i am staying in swissotel berlin, euro 344 for 3 nights with breakfast and a day travel card for each night’s stay!
i am not paying any more money to suffer .. rather than stay in some sleezy place and risk getting robbed, i rather get ‘rob’ by 4-5 stars hotels now!
