So after managing to navigate the train from the airport and then a tram to my hostel (more of a fluke than anything else!!), I checked in.

The hostel I am staying at, Hans Brinker, is in a really nice area where I have stayed before - Leidseplein. Its quite a lively area with lots of bars, shops and restaurants.

The hostel is just what I expected, bright and colourful and my dorm is ok. My bed is on the top bunk though and there are no ladders - not ideal for a short arse like me! I quickly got changed and headed down to the bar for my first pint! Heineken for 4.5 euros. By the time I got there it was about 9pm and I was knackered as hadn't slept very well for the last couple of nights! So I decided to go and get some food and just have a wander. I recently stopped eating meat so finding food isnt as easy as normal but I found a nice italian with a heated outdoor area and had a beer and gnocchi with mozarella - it was lovely but came to 20 euros!

Holland is probably one of the more expensive places I am coming to, and I knew how pricey Amsterdam can be so I had budgeted for it.

I had a wander around for a while and a couple more beers in the square then headed back to my room. My 5 dorm mates were already in bed asleep so I had to navigate the bunk in the dark - stood on the poor guys head in the bunk below me so many times!!

I drifted off excited for a couple more days exploring the city!