We checked out of MARA House at 6.30am by leaving our keys in an envelope and slipping it in below the door entrance of Bonda Cafe.

We made our way to Paddington station but it was closed for the District and Circle lines - we needed to go to Marble Arch station to the Kelana Convoy meeting point. The Underground officer asked us to take the bus at the other side of the road. Or just walk straight down the road. Since we were early and it was a nice cool morning, we decided to just lug all our stuff and walked. We went pass Edgeware Rd and realized that there are many Middle Eastern shops and Halal food places (even at the Paddington area).

Then we got to Marble Arch after walking for about 25 minutes, got ourselves some hot choc from the nearest KFC and joined the group.
It was a big group, we got on the bus. There are two coaches for our group There was a slight delay because the staff were trying or organize our bags and food to fit in the bus.

We finally departed at about 8.45am (supposedly 8.30am) and our tour manager Mr Khairul introduced his team and our driver for the whole trip, Chris.

Hairul showed us some notable London sites as the bus heads towards the Euro Tunnel. After that, we all fell asleep.

At the Euro Tunnel immigration, our tour manager just said that we are mostly Malaysians who are staying in England (which is partially true), and the officer simply let us off. The tour manager told us: "orang Perancis memang pemalas, kalau boleh tak nak buat kerja". Haha!

The undersea train carry vehicles big and small across the English Channel. We were free to roam outside our bus along the trip, but no flash photography is allowed because it may trigger the fire alarm!

35 minutes later, after crossing the English Channel, we arrived in France at 2.04pm local time. We were instructed to wear seatbelts in the bus, if caught we have to pay €100 on the spot.

In the bus, we were asked to introduce ourselves, to the group that will be with us for the next 15 days. Meanwhile, our driver drove straight towards Belgium and stopped by P&J to shop for Belgian chocolates (around 3pm). They sell all sorts of chocolates, nougat, ice cream and candies. Bought some flavoured dark chocolates (for its health properties and for my cough due to the cold) plus a pack of vanilla waffles. Yum!

It is super windy in Belgium (but sunny!) and there's a lot of windmills. The view of the greens and cows and sheeps reminds me of New Zealand.
Fell asleep and when I got up, I was already in The Netherlands! Saw beautiful double rainbow against the green fields and blue skies.

We went straight to our campsite (Het Amsterdame Bos) and once we got thre, the KC crew showed us how to build our own tents. Easy peasy. We got ours up easily, and it fits 3 just nicely.

And then it rained. It's cold!

After solat (jamak Zuhur-Asar at 7:30pm - Maghrib is at 10pm!), we had dinner, specially catered from an Indonesian restaurant in London. White rice, beef rendang and long beans + sambal and keropok. Drinks - make your own coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
The restrooms are just beside our campsite, clean but some come with a price.

To use hot shower: €1
To use washing machine: €4.50
To use dryer: €2
Suffice to say ramai tak mandi malam ni hahaha!

Our first night in the tent was a little uncomfortable, it was cold and it rained on and off all night long. While it is not my first time sleeping in a tent, it is definitely my first in a sleeping bag.

Guess we will get used to it after 14 nights!