*Live blog* - Ben the Bendyman's Great GETAWAY - Maiden Voyage

[hpecorari]

Thanks for this. I always love your live blogs!

 

Harriet

[Want2Cruise]

Looking forward to your review.

[3DBeach]

Can't wait to read more YAY!! :D

[tiffygirl]

yeeea...you know im here with you every step of the way...I hope ben has got his red bull and kale juice ready because there will be no time for sleeping:D...I need you to do everything in 24 hours...lol Ben can do this!!LOL

 

 

have fun!!!!!!

[toby517]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10 AM GMT (Dublin)

Connecting flight in Dublin

 

Dublin Airport

 

 

 

Boarding

 

 

 

 

Love these blogs. Thanks for posting Ben and Kyle.

 

Bruce

[SliceOfLife]

Yes!! I love Bendyman reviews!! Thank you in advance for the time and effort you put into this review! I hope you have a fantastic adventure :D

[TryingCruising]

I'm excited to follow along and "see" the Getaway! Thanks for doing this!

[SissasMomE]

It is a 2012 Google Nexus 7 inch tablet with an optional bluetooth keyboard from ebay/amazon. Ben rebranded it as the Etch A Sketch 2012 :D

 

I think I'm going to look into that. It looks perfect for travel!!!

[kylenyc]

yeeea...you know im here with you every step of the way...I hope ben has got his red bull and kale juice ready because there will be no time for sleeping...I need you to do everything in 24 hours...lol Ben can do this!!LOL

 

have fun!!!!!!

Tiffyyyyy! At the moment got my cola fix so I can catch up on the blog and be ready for big day!

 

Thanks for this. I always love your live blogs!

 

Harriet

Thanks Harriet!

 

Love these blogs. Thanks for posting Ben and Kyle.

 

Bruce

Thanks Bruce!

 

Yes!! I love Bendyman reviews!! Thank you in advance for the time and effort you put into this review! I hope you have a fantastic adventure :D

Thanks! 8 hours to go til the Breakaway! And thanks for following Ben's journey.

Edited January 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[Cruisercl]

Hi K & B!

 

Say 'hi' to Yemi for me...have a great time on your trip whatever you plan to do. ;)

[kylenyc]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 1PM Local

Arriving in Amsterdam

 

Ben anxiously jumped across headrests from window to window as soon as the plane began its decent trying to get a better view. He couldn't wait to disemberk and officially begin his adventure. His porter sighed and rolled is eyes in dismay pretending not to notice the fuss. Instead he remained focused on his mission, tensed up, readied to unbuckle and leap into the aisle to secure a prime spot in queue and grab his bag from the overhead bin before any women with children or the elderly held up the line. After they came to a stop at the gate, his porter looked around only to realize his charge had disappeared!

 

 

Taxiing

 

Pulling up to the gate

 

We could hear the approach of sirens until they were blaring and surrounded the plane screeching to a halt, the captain over the intercom reasuring us and asking that we remain calm and seated. Ben's porter would only learn the cause of the commotion far too late when he was surrounded by a barrage of air marshalls and immigration officials, whisked into a room by the arms, and shown this footage.

 

Do you recognize this unauthorized stowaway seen fleeing the scene?

 

...Almost getting sucked into the jet turbine and causing an international incident. Americans!

 

So the story goes...

 

[johnjovi]

have a great time Kyle and Ben! Really enjoying your trip so far!

 

john

[kylenyc]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2 PM Local

Detained in Schiphol the Case of the Missing Train Ticket to Amsterdam Centraal

 

Ben's underappreciated assistant denied all knowledge and association of the events, declared diplomatic immunity, and claimed close ties to political officials until they discovered the bag of Ben clones in his backpack upon which he simply grinned, shrugged, and offered them one. Eventually they had to free him on account there were no statutes covering this type of incident and no one real or polymer was actually harmed in the making of this blog.

 

To ease his trembling after the taxing incident, he made his way through the duty free shops looking for a chocolate treat. When he approached the cashier with his gold box of luxury sweets, the clerk denied him the ability to purchase them. As he began to frantically explain that he was not responsible for the actions of flexible figurines fostering fantastical fictional fantasies, the clerk stared back sternly and flatly explained that purchases in this area were reserved exclusively for passengers on departing flights. So he left dejected and unsuccessfully searched the stores outside past customs for a box of coveted Godiva's, and ubruptly left to catch the next train to Amsterdam Centraal Station.

 

 

 

 

 

As if Ben's manservant didn't have enough surprised for one day, while aboard the train, he checked one pocket then another, patting himself down nervously looking for his train ticket, only to have his limber littleton leap up on to the sill with it in hand. A short fifteen minutes later, the train arrived at their destination with no further fanfare.

 

"You can't leave without me!"

 

Arriving in Amsterdam Centraal Station

 

Edited January 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[TracieABD]

What a great blog! I just love Ben and his adventures!

 

Thank you so much for taking the exhaustive time to post this.

Can't wait to read more!:)

[DCP]

Enjoying the adventure and can't wait to read more! (now I am trying to figure out how to subscribe to it!)

[kylenyc]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2 PM Local

Festive Amsterdam and the Rho Hotel

 

Immediately after Ben set foot outside the station, he was awestruck and immersed in the same chorus of sights and sounds that greeted him on his first visit back in April... and then some - a sea of daily commuters and tourists, cyclists, motorscooters and trams zig zagging across the roadways full of busses and automobiles. As soon as he crossed the canal onto Damrak he ran into a street fair that would extend the entire 1800 feet from Centraal Station to Dam Square and the National Monument - Everything from makeshift sidewalk bars and cafes, to bakeries and fast food.

 

After he finally snaked his way through the seas of windowshopping pedestrians to the Rho Hotel where he checked in, quickly dropped of his luggage and head out too explore the vibrant city.

 

Ed: Here are pictures taken just a few minutes ago in the evening. With the excitement of arriving and of the street fair, forgot to take pictures of the hotel sooner.

 

Exiting Amsterdam Centraaal Station

 

 

Street fair on Damrak

 

 

Rho Hotel

 

 

Edited January 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2 PM Local

Rho Hotel

 

Ben had searched for a budget hotel one on step up from a hostel but couldn't find any. He was happy with his stay at the Hotel Internationaal last year with its friendly staff, complimentary ear plugs, and festive location on a street lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. Unfortunately they were fully booked. So he hade found a hotel a step up at 85 euros per night. The Rho Hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and room was clean and comfortable but dimly lit and bit noisy in the morning when the sounds of footfalls and the housekeeper's cart make their way noisily over a poorly constructed floor. Wifi and breakfast are included, and the vending machines were cheaper than buying from the store (1.30 euros for a bottle of water which is 2 euros outside)

 

Rho Hotel Lobby

 

Rho Hotel Lobby

 

Single bed room

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2014 by kylenyc

[kylenyc]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 6 PM Local

A Taste of Amsterdam

 

There is so much more to Amsterdam than what it's infamously known for - from its rich history and culture, tradition of orderliness and tolerance, beautiful canals, architecture, and vibrant night life...

 

Ed: It's 5:45 am and only a few hours before we catch the train to Rotterdam and board the Getaway, so here's a quick picture roll of Amsterdam...

 

Busy shopping street

 

View of the city from the Sky Lounge bar, 11th Floor of the Double Tree Hotel

 

Festival of Lights - Atera (named after a wild flower that blooms after sunset.

 

Perhaps one of the best restaurants Ben's ever been. Every dish was a heavenly experience.

 

Looks Restaurant - Crayfish bisque with dim sum prawns.

 

 

Crab salad with spicey tuile, virgin bloody mary and basilcream mayo

[kylenyc]

Day (-2) - Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 6 PM Local

A Taste of Amsterdam

 

Looks Restaurant - Surf and turf (Half Canadian lobster, lobster tempura, guinea fowl)

 

Looks Restaurant - Sirlion steak, carrot cream, stewed beef

 

Chocolate cake with dark chocolate, white chocolate bombe, px jelly, nouget

 

A stroll the next day...

 

 

 

 

[kylenyc]

Day (-1) - Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 3 PM Local

A Taste of Amsterdam

 

Street fair on Damrak

 

 

Blue Boat Company - Canal cruise visiting the light artworks of the Festival of Lights

 

 

 

 

[kylenyc]

Day (-1) - Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 6 PM Local

A Taste of Amsterdam

 

Festival of Lights canal cruise - Fly's eye dome (named after the portable modular home created invented by R. Buckminster) Fuller

 

 

Festival of Lights canal cruise - Digital origami tigers (made of recycled materials, the tigers first appeared in the 2010 Chinese New Years celebration in the Sydney Customs House)

 

 

 

View from the Sky Lounge, 11th floor of the Double Tree Hotel (Fly's eye dome in blue)

 

[kylenyc]

Day (-1) - Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 11 PM Local

A Taste of Amsterdam

 

Ending the evening with a night cap in the Sky Lounge and back to the Rho Hotel to for catch up blogging all-nighter finally finishing at 7 am.

 

Coming soon...

Boarding the Norwegian Getaway for her maiden voyage.

 

Sky Lounge - A cup of hot chocolate came with a surprise of a sugar cookie, nougatt, and chocolate ganache

 

[bear3412]

Thanks for the live action. Can't wait for the onboard pics.

You rock ! ! !

 

Don't forget to take time to relax. You don't have to play concierge to CC. :D

 

It's OK, to not post, and enjoy your sailing, fwiw, IMO. :p

 

:)

[skram99]

Can't wait to see more picture and hear of your fantastic trip!

:)

Kerri Ann

 

NCL Breawaway Jan. 17, 2014 @ night to Nowhere

NCL Breakaway Sept. 2013 Bermuda

NCL Star April 2012 2 night to NoWhere

NCL Jewel Oct. 2011 Bahamas/Florida

NCL Gem Feb. 2011 1 night to Nowhere

Disney May 2002 Bahamas

Princess Aug. 1987

[debnjoe1438]

Can't wait to see more pictures. Have a wonderful trip. :D