I started Monday early by heading down to the gym at 07:30. I reasoned that it would be good to get some exercise in before the trip began.
At the airport I grabbed a beer at the metro bar for a change. On the flight itself I was chat next to a guy who used to work at British Engines. We talked about people we knew & holidays. The hour twenty minute flight passed by very quickly. The bus into the city was easy to find straight out the airport itself. It took 39mins to reach the Leidseplain where my hotel was located. Having not stayed in hotels much, but working in one, the checking in experience was strange the other way around. Although located in the basement the room was very nice. Not that I spent much time there. After dropping my bag off I immediately set out to meet Stefan. He & Emily had been visiting the Van Gough museum, along with other museums in the area.
Almost inevitably the three of us engaged in some bar hopping. Our first port of call being the Waterhole. This live music venue had on my previous visit been located in the Red Light District & had served as a hostel as well. The takeaway fact from the jaunt was that apparently Emily can bench press more than we can!
They were staying at the Doubletree Hilton by central station. Once we reached there we felt it would have been very remiss of us to not have a drink in the sky lounge. Stefan & I opted for the Bartenders choice cocktail that came in a large glass skull. This was accompanied by complimentary popcorn, which was very tasty. Not as tasty as dinner though. Based on a recommendation from one of Emily's friends. We went to Gauchos, Argentinian grill. I had one of the best steaks I have ever had. I opted from sirloin while, Stefan & Emily both opted for rib eye. Stefan managed to persuade me to try some red wine with the meal, but I could not be dissuaded from my usual bottle of Sauvignon Blanc as well.
We had a brief stop off in a coffee shop, to round up the night. The only downside was at the end of the night we all set off in different directions for long walks home.