On to Amsterdam with Good Karma

Bowling Alley at Ham Yard Hotel 

Orange caddy at Ham Yard

Wall Panels made from digital printer 

Regent Street, London reminds us of Connaught Place Delhi

British Countryside from Eurostar Train

Today was a travel day from London to Amsterdam. After breakfast we took a final walk around our neighborhood. We walked to a small store that was part of the City-wide Design Festival. The stores walls were covered with panels that were printed using a digital printer. Each panel took 24 hours to make. The panels had texture and built in hook-like features to hold hanging displays. I assume we will be seeing more and more objects (hopefully not guns) created by digital printing. We had a realization of how Connaught Place in Delhi looked so much like Regent Street in London. Unfortunately Connaught Place is rather shabby now, while Regent Street is immaculate.

We sadly left The Ham Yard Hotel. We went down to the basement where they have a very hip bowling alley for some reason and also a bar. I liked the two story orange caddy used to stack oranges that could be used in cocktails. We unhesitatingly would recommend The Ham Yard Hotel. It is vibrant in design, located in the middle of the Theater District in Soho. Although the main bar is very busy, there are many quiet places at the hotel to relax and have a drink or tea.

We then went to St. Pancras Station to catch the high-speed Eurostar to Amsterdam. There is airport like security at the train station. You go through to Passport Control stops, x-ray of luggage and metal detector.

We decided to upgrade to business and they assigned us seats in the Business Premier Car. We were off and travelling at high-speed through the British Countryside until the train reached the Tunnel to Europe. It slowed down for the 20-minute ride through the Chunnel as it called. On emerging in France, it once again sped up to full speed. We travelled through France then Belgium (stopping briefly at Brussels) then entered The Netherlands stopping at Rotterdam. They served us complimentary Champagne, Wine and dinner at our seats. The entire train trip from London to Amsterdam took 3 hours and 41 minutes. It was easier then flying.

The train manager and another fellow trainee came to our seat to assess us the balance for our upgrade to business class. After I had paid by credit card and they left us, I realized they had only charged us for 1 upgrade. I figure the money l saved on the upgrade offset the money lost to a pickpocket. My karma account on money is back in balance.

We taxied to our hotel, The Dylan, located on a canal and retired to our very nice room.