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Journey to Cologne
Mar. 24th, 2013 08:02 pmDecided to go to Cologne. Largely on a whim. Is it a whim if it's planned a week or two in advance?
Was looking forward to experiencing first class on the German ICE train to see how it compares with Thalys and Eurostar. Train was cancelled. Was told to get the alternative to Verviers, and then get the bus from there. That particular train was running 18 minutes late. Somewhat confused at Verviers as all the buses seem to be going only to Aachen. Decided to give it go anyway. Buses are a little full. Nobody seemed to think that international travellers might have bags. Standing room only except buses aren't allowed on the motorways with standing passenger. So after much faffing around, bags are moved off seats, and on to the floor and people are moved on to the seats. Eventually the buses head towards Aachen. Look for a train that says it's heading for Cologne, or Köln rather, since this is Germany and they use the actual names rather than the names we Brits use.
So I arrived 2 and half hours later than I planned, having travelled at an average speed of less than 50mph including waiting time, I can't say I'm all that impressed with the speed. To be honest, the 130ish miles in 100 or so minutes it should have taken isn't all that impressive for a train that should be able to do it in half that time.
I finally arrived. Checked into the hotel. Wondered how I'd managed to book a twin rather than a double but didn't really care. Found hotel didn't have tea and coffee making facilities. Why did I not learn after my trip to Bruges!? Also didn't have internet access and never quite got round to complaining about that one.
So, having arrived, I had to decide, what should I do now? This is the problem with choosing a place arbitrarily. No actual plans.
Will get on to Cologne itself in the next entry. This was just about the journey. All very Zen.
Was looking forward to experiencing first class on the German ICE train to see how it compares with Thalys and Eurostar. Train was cancelled. Was told to get the alternative to Verviers, and then get the bus from there. That particular train was running 18 minutes late. Somewhat confused at Verviers as all the buses seem to be going only to Aachen. Decided to give it go anyway. Buses are a little full. Nobody seemed to think that international travellers might have bags. Standing room only except buses aren't allowed on the motorways with standing passenger. So after much faffing around, bags are moved off seats, and on to the floor and people are moved on to the seats. Eventually the buses head towards Aachen. Look for a train that says it's heading for Cologne, or Köln rather, since this is Germany and they use the actual names rather than the names we Brits use.
So I arrived 2 and half hours later than I planned, having travelled at an average speed of less than 50mph including waiting time, I can't say I'm all that impressed with the speed. To be honest, the 130ish miles in 100 or so minutes it should have taken isn't all that impressive for a train that should be able to do it in half that time.
I finally arrived. Checked into the hotel. Wondered how I'd managed to book a twin rather than a double but didn't really care. Found hotel didn't have tea and coffee making facilities. Why did I not learn after my trip to Bruges!? Also didn't have internet access and never quite got round to complaining about that one.
So, having arrived, I had to decide, what should I do now? This is the problem with choosing a place arbitrarily. No actual plans.
Will get on to Cologne itself in the next entry. This was just about the journey. All very Zen.
