It’s new to me (I go back to the old Magic Bus days – what were those stains on the seats !) – but I am pretty out of touch.
Anyway: http://www.busabout.com/
I think, at least at the beginning of your trip, you’re going to be a little ahead of the season. The site says services start in April: http://www.busabout.com/news.asp?aid=02D00121NWS201
It is a nice concept and a really valid alternative to the rail-pass. If it is a no-booking, walk-on service, It’ll be interesting to see how it well it works in practice.
Personally, I like the train for longer journeys as you can relax more easily, walk around and the toilet isn’t 3 feet away. This sounds really very convenient, though – assuming it works like the site says it does. The virtual tour and FAQ on the Busabout site do offer some comfort.
Diane – I imagine this is all part of the larger plan but, in case it’s not, Frankfurt > Amsterdam shouldn’t be a particularly difficult trip. Remember, there are no real borders in mainland Europe anymore and, I’d imagine, there must be a regular, daily bus service between the two. I guessing….4 - 5 hours ?
If the details aren’t in your Lonely Planet (or whatever you’re going with/ thumbing through at the bookstore), I’ll look into it if it helps.
Frankfurt to A’dam is about a five hour trip, tack on another hour or two for the trip from Ramstein, there might be other connections from there, but I don’t know. I haven’t checked the rail prices yet, but a round trip flight from Frankfurt is about $150. I’ve always found that the best way to deal with DB (assuming you haven’t bought a rail pass) is to go in person to the station, find a friendly clerk (most speak English) and just ask about the cheapest deals. It can be hell trying to figure out all the various specials, but they are very helpful. Perhaps your father could go down to the Bahnhof Reiseburo and ask for you?
Another option is to rent a car, since you’ll have so many people with you it’s probably one of the cheaper options. Driving in Germany is not terribly difficult, I think all you’ll need is an int’l driver’s license (you can get those from AAA, I think). It’s probably about a five hour drive from your father’s house to A’dam.
The only problem with driving is finding a place to park in A’dam, but I’m sure Clogster can help you out with that.
Enticing as the prospect is of being processed into meat and distributed to the Teeming Millions, I am honour-bound to point out that I am the one on the right of the photo. The brown furry one is certainly cute, and may well make good eating, but she won’t be attending.
But the man-meat must go out. It’s another one of those traditions I was telling you about.
Oh, and for the curious people, here’s hibby! Oh yeah, and he has one of those fiancee type people (I hope that’s not her in the pic), so let’s not fawn over him, okay?
If I fawn you, can I borrow your credit card? Ack! Mine expires on Thursday, they said they sent it out a new one last week, but it’s not here. And I don’t think they are going to let me make reservations with a card that expires in two days.
I guess this is why having one card just for emergencies is not a good idea.
Oh, and Snormy, your mail server hates me again. 4 bounce-backs in one day!
soda, of course we’re going to send you a postcard. In fact, I’ve enlisted the help of Fierra and Bunny Boy and we’re going to send them out to everyone that wants one.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, it’s also a tradition for all male posters from Ireland who are not Yoji to get a nickname from me. Hope you like yours, BB!
Did I miss an email? You said there was one coming? I have made my plane reservations, and sent an email to ClogMod asking him to recommend areas for me to stay… I don’t really want to stay in the red-light district!
Snormy I would love to fawn on you, but - being a redhead - I am not very good at it. Be assured I am keeping you in my evil thoughts How do you feel about older women?
Sassy, oh fab lassy, I resent the e-mail. I’m going to consult with the dashing L.C. tonight and try and figure out once and for all where the fantastic three will be staying…would you like to make it the fantastic four? Mail me & let me know…I don’t think Clogster is going to be answering his mail until the 3rd or 4th. I’ll forward you the mail he sent me with list of close districts & map.
I don’t suppose you could smuggle the other Bay Area Dopers in your luggage, could you? Wouldn’t it be a hoot and a half to get my dear sweet curmudgeonly Obby doped up?
one excuses herself with hair colour and one tries to gain economical benefits. I’m not impressed. (One of these days I’d better look “fawn” up, I’m not 100% sure what it means and who knows what of sort trouble I’m getting into…)
As for Yojimbo: Yoji Bear is darn-nigh perfect, go with it. tater, you can’t claim a monopoly on creativity, that’s just wrong. Be nice or I’ll rat on the haircut! Besides, I know a song about Yoji Bears when I get enough to drink.
Ye gods, there’s still one-and-half month until the 17th. Are you never scared we’ll run out of steam ?
