So I've been convinced that it's worth the Covid-risk to travel to Amsterdam for Hive Fest IRL 1.0, I mean it is technically the very first Hive Fest which we're doing Face to Face, after all...
Travelling Via Belgium...
Just be extra careful about getting in I've booked a EuroStar to Brussels and then from there it's either the train (40 EU) or bus (10EU) across to Amsterdam, and I can't realistically see anyone even checking my passport on the hop over the border - I mean, free movement in the EU an all.
And I've got EU residency of course, I'll take my certificate with me just in case!
I'm not bothering booking the hop ticket in advance, I'll sort that out en route, it seems easy enough.
I've gone for an early afternoon train, from St Pancreas, one of the advantages of living in the SE is that I've got this option, and overall it's just a few hours - quicker than getting to Scotland besides Europe being across the ocean!
Should be there for early evening no problem.
Booked a stay in a 'pod hotel'...
I think I've found a nice play to stay... it's a pod hotel somewhere in the middle of Amsterdam, I didn't actually check the exact location, it's Amsterdam - tram or walk everywhere easily innit!
Under 400 EU for four nights and some privacy, so I am happy enough with that!
Downloaded Ecency and the HiveFest App...
I'm planning on NOT walking around with my laptop all day, maybe even just leaving it in the UK and relying on using my phone as my go-to device, my phone and my charging brick, so to this end I've loaded up the phone with the two apps I'll need to do everything I might need to do.
TBH the laptop is just an ergonomic thing and not a necessity, especially for four days - I could possibly live without it for that period. I'm not that keen on either lugging it around or leaving it in a pod all day as an alternative!
I've also got an ipad so I may take that as a half way house.
Basically I'm ready to go and looking forward to it...
Besides packing my bags and remembering my passport (the UK isn't in the EU anymore, after all!) I'm pretty much good to go and looking forward to both the journey, the event, catching up with people and seeing Amsterdam itself.
I think it'll be quite a chill affair but defo the right move to go, especially when it's just a hop across the ocean via the train, and of course on the way back it's a direct line as the UK couldn't give a toss whether entrants have got Covid or not!