Stena Hollandica (Netherlands to England ferry) (#Ulog 21)
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For our holiday this year, we were playing with the idea of going to Croatia, we had heard such great things about it and we did have a week where all of us were free from work and school! However, when we looked into the flights, it appeared that all the flights that were in our budget left at bad times of the week for us, and if we were to take then , we would only end up with a few days in Croatia.... and so we had to go with a plan B.
England
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Well, seeing as the United Kingdom is going to secede soon from the European Union, we thought it might be nice to visit a country where we could actually understand the language and read the signs... and so this became our plan B!
We had been to London a couple of times before on holiday, and we didn't want to go back to the capital of the black snotty nose, we were more keen on exploring the English countryside. After some research (mostly from my wife), we ended up settling on the picturesque countryside of the Cotswolds.
It seemed to be the sort of area where a car was essential, and so we decided to take the ferry (Stena Hollandica) from Hoek van Holland over to Harwich, which would give us access to a car whilst we were in England.
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Unfortunately, the only car that we have is a little Peugeot 107, which is best lovingly described as a "tuna can on wheels". It is a great city car, but if there is more than one adult (such as 2 adults and 2 kids and luggage) you really feel the lack of power! Again, in The Netherlands where there are no hills of any sort, it is okay, but in the Cotswolds we were often needing a bit of gravity assist to get up speed for the uphills!
Boarding
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I've never been on a ferry before, so the thought of getting on board a ship was a new experience, let along getting on board with a car in the company of some huge trucks and semi-trailers!
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After doing the check-in and passport check (which is the weirdest thing to be dong in a car!), there was an extended waiting time in line whilst the ship was being prepared for the boarding of the cars and trucks (and people via the footbridge).
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Driving into the ship was strange experience, but the ship was huge, it was a bit like driving into a car park traffic jam.
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The experience was complete with multi level parking, to simulate the experience of forgetting where you parked the car! Right after taking this photo, I saw that you were supposed to have parked the car in gear (something that you really aren't used to in The Netherlands...), so I had to run back and fix that.
Exploring the Ship!
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Getting up to the lounge deck, we had lots of intresting things to look at! Firstly, the map was good rough guide as to how much space we had to explore in!
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You can book cabins for sleeping or just privacy, but seeing as we were travelling in the daytime, we didn't book them. However, on the return back to Netherlands, we will be taking the overnight ferry, and so we booked a sleeping cabin for the family. Hopefully, there will not be too much screaming from the little one...
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My oldest daughter had first dibs on where we were going to start exploring. These things were easy when she couldn't read, I could choose first...
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Finding a spot
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Seeing as we didn't have a cabin to while away the time, we needed to find a cosy spot where we could just stretch out and make ourselves comfortable for the journey.
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... and we did find a nice little cosy corner with a good deal of space, easy access to the children's area and the bistro for food. We even had a great window view of the outside, which the kids loved (they could sit in the window and just watch the boats and the sea, or just slide around and worry the hell out of their mother...).
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Real Exploration
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With a home base conquered and settled, we could do a proper exploration of the ship. Most of the areas were off limits, we couldn't go back down to the car and the "hotel" part was being cleaned. So it was pretty much staying on the same deck, going back and forth.
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Even though we were pretty much confined to one deck, there was more than enough room. There was a cinema (which you had to pay for, but they were screening The Incredibles 2), a bistro and a restaurant, multiple areas for sitting around, a little basketball court, and outdoor area, several games areas and even a couple of casino tables!
If you ask me, the entire ship was a bit reminiscent of the luxury space liner from the Fifth Element... which is a great film, that I still need to make my wife watch!
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Soon enough it was time to farewell The Netherlands, we had been sitting around for about an hour after boarding before the ship started to get moving!
Travelling
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Actually, the best thing to say about the travel was that it was uneventful! There were a couple of moments of movement from the waves, but all in all it was a pretty calm ride! My wife had miscalculated the length of time (due to the time change between Europe and the UK) at 4 hours, when it was in fact 6 hours. So, I definitely recommend bringing lots of stuff to do or watch.
It is a great way to catch up on a game or two, or a Steemit post. Although, don't use the internet (or your phone data), there is a maritime rate that is completely throught the roof expensive, so turn your phones onto airplane mode!
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Arrival
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Many hours later, lots of food, and one Steemit post about crypto we arrived. Our first sight was an industrial part of the port, but it soon became a very nice view!
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After landing, it was a passport check (where we managed to be the last car out of the port..., before heading off on a 3 hour drive to our final destination!
Holiday Time!
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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://www.gamerjokerbreadder.com/2018/08/19/stena-hollandica-netherlands-to-england-ferry-ulog-21/
Driving onto a ferry is always an interesting experience and a great start to a trip, that one looks real big, a good choice with the Cotswolds, I loved my one visit there
It's completely weird and it really drives (boom boom) home how big these ships are! It is like a floating building!
We are loving the Cotswold, great scenic countryside!
Enjoy your time there :)
I like the off-brand Pacman as an icon for the kids areas, it's surprisingly apt. But I can't imagine a name less enticing to teens than 'Teen Town.'
Ha ha! I hadn't thought of that, Teen town!
hahaha no kidding @sidequest! A sure-fire way to have zero teens there :)
its a nice ship. its a always a nice brake to go on these ships am form Norway and the ferry to Denmark was always a nice brake from real life a nice weekend at sea. just on the all u can eat buffet :D
You had an all you can eat??? I'm jealous, we didn't have that!!!
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I hope the trip is a lot of fun. Good pictures I have never been on a boat like that.
My first time, definitely recommend it, if the weather is good and if you have time!
Wow - fun!
I've only done the ferry across the Channel once - but it was one of those little fast-cats from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. Apparently, that one has a nickname... "The Vomit Comet!" Taking three little ones across on that was... interesting. I hired a car in France - had to sign a contract that I couldn't read! But I'd already decided that I wanted to switch sides of the road and sides of the car at the same time to avoid confusing myself too much! (Just as well - as it was almost too easy to swap sides of the road again.) Anyway, it's a long story and I don't currently have possession of the photos that I took on that trip.
Vomit comet it would be! We didn't take chances and took the big ferry! Driving with the wrong side driver seat was tricky, especially on the narrow country roads with hedges! No visibility on left hand turns...
I learned to angle the wing mirrors down more than usual so that I could see the side of the car and where it was with the edge of the road - especially useful in those narrow roads or with parking too close... Once I got used to it, I didn't need that mirror adjustment, but it was really useful in the beginning.
Roundabouts going the wrong way around the circle is difficult too. At least they have those on the Continent whereas they are very unusual in the US - so very frightening the first few times they are encountered.
What's really scary is when you get to that point where you have to second-guess your instinct all the time! (And in my dreams/memories, I will often be on the "wrong" side of the road... for the location. It's really weird how the brain translates.) Even now, if I'm on an unmarked street and people park on both sides, I have to think a moment before I'm sure of which side the cars will be coming on...
It is always good to spend quality time with the family. It's great!
It was also nice to go back to a slower form of travelling!
It was also nice
To go back to a slower
Firm of travelling!
- bengy
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
Lol, time for my daily haiku visit already?
That is so cool! I have a peugot bicycle from '86/87 its heavy as all heck. This was a really cool post. Its nice to see happt people traveling around with their families!
Ha ha, your bike is probably as fast as this car on an uphill!
Travelling by boat is quite nice and relaxed. We were lucky and had good weather, so that helps alot.
Nice trip. I would prefer it over flying. And having your car on the other end is great and beneficial. Even though it's a Renault.
That's one priceless photo of your family on the sofa
I think as long as the weather is good, it is a much nicer experience than flying! Less stress and busyness compared to an airport! Like you said, having a car at the other end really is incredibly useful. Although, this little car is seriously underpowered!
Been there with the under powered vehicle, When I was a kid in Africa we had a VW bus. Parents would pack us all in for a trip and we would do 150 Km heading toward the bottom of the hill and before you reached the top of the next hill you were only doing 20 Km. LOL
I can imagine the north sea at the top of the channel can get rough during the winter and storms. I would not want to be in a boat for that. But summer good weather before and during would be a nice comfortable ride.
Haha, that's us! We hit the bottom of the hill going as fast as possible, and on a 14% grade we are steadily losing speed, even at the lowest gears possible! I had a couple of moments of needing to go back to first!
The funniest bits are on the hills with tight roads, if we slow down for oncoming traffic, it is time to shunt back to 1st gear just to stop rolling back down the hill!
LOL
Great for gas mileage and flat terrain, other than that useless. It will get you where your going and back home safely. That's what counts
Nice one @bengy. Your kids are wonderful and i appreaciate the experince share about your holiday trip. Bon voyage
Thanks! It was a lovely relaxing way to travel!
Ah that really brings up memories here.. In my childhood I've been going to England with the Stenaline too.. I remember that sitting in the back of the ship it was rocky so I did get a bit sick lol.. but it was bad weather during that time too.. so that may be the difference..
Nice report !
Have a great evening!
I think the weather makes a huge difference, we were lucky enough to have pretty calm weather. There was a minute of two of rolling at one point which was a little disorientating, so I can imagine if it was the whole trip, it would be sure unpleasant!
Congratulations on being a whale for a day! I've seen you have been very responsible with the added power, you were a good choice to be a whale! Enjoy the rest of the day!
PS: Thanks for the vote!