We caught the night train into Amsterdam and arrived at about 930, Monday morning the 27th. We checked into The Flying Pig hostel which was pretty central to all the Amsterdam action, then went straight out to make the most of my first day. I wanted to do a bike tour but they didn't start till mid afternoon so I opted for the Heineken Museum (with Zoe) instead. Was a lot better than I thought it'd be actually. Heineken is my new favourite beer for sure, they sold me. After spending most of the day there we went for a stroll and checked out the string of coffee shops, sex shops & legal drug stores that the city's obviously renowned for. The city was pretty much exactly how I pictured it.

That night we did happy laps around the red light district. That's about it really. But it was amusing for 'various' reasons. And no, we didn't approach any of the window girls. We may have stared though..

The next day I did a fair bit of shopping.. followed by a workout at Amsterdam's fitness first (followed by a temporary death).. followed by a pub crawl. The pub crawl was meant to include 6 clubs, free drink at each place free shot in between. Unfortunately we only made 3 clubs before all three of us regurgitated lewis' spag bol in a side alley somewhere and stumbled home (somehow). I think we got a little excited on the shots that night.

The next morning was not so good, as you'd expect. The feeling of pain was overcome by about noon though before i went for another shop, another workout, another 2 servings of spag bol, and another pub crawl. Deja vu much? I think the intention was to put a right to a wrong and make up for the night before. We made all 6 clubs this time, which I think was our main objective. Was an alright night. Lewis befriended a dj at one of the clubs who was as obsessed with SHM as us.

Departed Amsterdam the next day and caught the train to my next destination, Berlin. Was riding solo for this one as Lewis was heading back to London. 7 hour train ride went pretty smooth, but the hour it took me to find my hostel didn't. I finally checked in at about 9 and caught up with a few friends (Zoe, Kirby & Sarah). We had a meal and a couple of cocktails before heading out to a club round the corner. Our hostel was right in the heart of the Berlin nightlife. The club was mediocre, however, and we called it quits around 3.

We went and did a free street walking tour the next day, which was pretty much 4 hours of checking out all the graffitied walls in Berlin. Was pretty cool, but probably would've been satisfied with just an hour of it. That night me and a friend (Zoe) opted to hit an 'alternative' pub crawl. We thought it'd be cool and different. But there was nothing cool about the first club we went to. It was a goth club. Everyone wearing black, spiky chains, red contact lenses, skulls everywhere, dark rooms, devil worshiping, death metal music, the works. They don't mind staring at you either. Mind you some of us were wearing white, so we probably stood out like dogs balls on a gold fish. Anyway I was glad to get out of there! That club was followed by a place called doctor pong which was drinking combined with around the world ping pong - pretty fun. I would have won as well but we had to leave. We went to a few other weird, but cool, places before we finished the night at a club going by the name of 'suicide circus'. Was an interesting night to say the least.

I woke up just in time for an afternoon city tour, the next day. This tour was more of a political and historical tour that delved into how messed up Berlin used to be, and pretty much still is. It was really interesting and saw some pretty cool places like museum island, Jewish memorial, checkpoint charlie, hitlers old office headquarters (now a chinese take away place), and hitlers hidden bunker. Being a saturday night I wanted to make something of it and get to one of the cool, prestigious clubs that Berlin is well known for. Me and my room mates headed to this place that I pretty was keen on. Unfortunately though the line was pretty long and they were knockin back people under 21, which was the better part of my entourage. So we went back and settled for the one near our place which was rubbish. Disappointing really. I went back and had another go getting in later on. But I don't think the bouncers appreciated me trying to sneak in past the cashier without paying.. wasn't to be I guess.

I went and checked out the East End Gallery the next day. That's the section of the Berlin Wall that has been covered with artistic graffiti since German reunification. Most of it was pretty impressive. Beats a boring art gallery anyway. Last night in Berlin, so thought I'd cap it off with another pub crawl. Me and my room mates all took part in what was your more standard or typical pub crawl, unlike the one a couple of nights beforehand. Was fun

Disaster happened the next morning. Who would have thought taking a simple shower could spark trouble, but I managed to flood, not only the bathroom, but our entire hostel room. The drain was clogged and I was obviously day-dreaming or something. Anyway it wasnt pretty. I mopped it up and got the hell out of there!

Well that was Berlin. Cool city, pretty rough edged and rebellious. A massive contrast to Munich, which was very clean and friendly. Wouldn't live there I dont think, but awesome place to party for a few nights. Pretty upset I never got round to doing any shopping, but I think I well and truly ticked that box in Amsterdam.

I flew into London round dinner time. Reunited with Lewis. Caught up on what we had both missed out on, then pretty much crashed.

Which brings me to today, our very last day in europe. We did a tour this morning, which went through Buckingham Palace, Big Ben etc. Then we made a quick pitstop via the Emirates Stadium so I could pick up my Arsenal strip. We're about to head to our mates place now for a final beer before we board our flight to New York early tomorrow morning.

Sad to be leaving, but ready for a new experience I think. Met a lot of awesome people in Europe, so many good times that I hopefully won't soon forget.

Cya Europe (hopefully soon)

To be continued .. Lewis adds 'so that was Europe ey' & 'Amerrrica f**k yea!'