Wow what a journey. I am home, 29 hours after setting off. I tried to remain upbeat and philosophical throughout. Man cannot control volcanoes and must live with the ash clouds.
There are positives and I will list them first:
The magic of rail. I had forgotten how good it is to actually see the country you pass through. It reminds me of my days as a student travelling over the UK.
The art of conversation. You actually get to talk to people. I heard tales of really horror as people tried to get from one side of Europe to another. I felt really sorry for those who unlike me are not on expenses but must pay these extra costs themselves. Horrendous. My heart goes out to them.
Our taxi ( more on that below) was an incredible setting. We gave a Danish guy a lift. Turns out he works for the Danish Immigration and the driver was an Afghan who was telling us of his frustration with Immigration authorities. You couldnt script it!
The Dutch and Swedish Rail companies. Ran like clockwork..unlike the German DB which amazingly was not efficient!
Ferries. Travelled on Scandlines for the first time from Germany to Denmark.
Negatives.
Deutsche Bahn. We arrived in Hamburg around 9. They closed the travel centre in front of us, despite the fact there was a line of concerned people outside. Disgusted. We then bought a ticket for the 7.25am train to Copenhagen. Checked into a hotel and got a few zzz’s in.
The next morning..a disgrace. No room on the train and despite the fact we had bought a first class ticket (the only option available) there was no seat reservation so they wanted us on the bus.
The only highlight here was German tv. They were interviewing two irate passengers and I popped up behind them and at the top of my voice (and boy can I bellow when I want) shouted ‘HAAAAAMMMMAAAARRRBBBYYY!’
The reporter and the cameraman were very pissed off, I had looks of horrors from fellow Swedes but couldnt resist it!
The buses…there was not enough so we had to take a taxi, 60o Euros later we were in Copenhagen.
Now I work in travel and I understand the challenges this situation has presented BUT there was no information and no help form the German Rail company. Had we known about the likelihood of delays in the morning we may have been able to get an overnight bus to Copenhagen.
My bike, came home and someone has cut the chain and made off with it. Bastards.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
LOL @ the Hammarby remark!
Got the missus and kid (hopefully) arriving t Schiphol later today. Time to plan a route home to the UK.
Should have been Swansea really
I am guessing Schiphol is calmer than it was a few days back. At least they are on European soil!
Hope they get back ok and with as little stress as possible.