Dublin to Amsterdam (NYE)

After 4 days in Dublin, we were kinda ready to get back to the States. BUT! We had 1 more adventure in store. When I booked these tickets back in October, I discovered that we could do a typical 1-2 hour layover in Amsterdam OR a 14 hour layover in Amsterdam. Since we would be flying back on New Year's Eve, and it would be a chance for Drew to see another city, we decided to go with the overnight layover. Also, there's a train that stops right in the airport and takes you directly to the city center. Public transportation perfection.

The great thing about this layover? You're in Amsterdam for New Year's Eve. The bad part? you're in Amsterdam for New Year's Eve, and it's packed to the brim with people shooting off illegal fireworks that sounded like bombs. (This was confirmed by the British Navy dude we met who kept ducking and he had just gotten back from Iraq.) I was over it about 5 minutes in. This was my 2nd trip to Amsterdam in 2012 (both for holiday weekends) and if I can make 1 suggestion, it's to never visit Amsterdam during a holiday weekend or you will lose your shoes. Trust me on that. 

Bikes are the #1 preferred mode of transportation in Amsterdam

Fireworks EVERYWHERE

We decided to do the most exploring that we could in the little time we had by walking around. There were thousands of people on the street and luckily the super loud fireworks died down a bit as the night went on. Our first stop after our hotel was a random bar on a random street, where we met this friendly chap:

Our British Navy friend, Gary. Introducing him to the Stick!

Needless to say, Gary LOVED the Stick and (obviously) loved us, and invited us out with this group of 5 other guys to walk to the city center area where the firework show was going to happen at midnight.The area was PACKED. Right after midnight we decided to get away from all the craziness and walk around some more. Sooo we did. Aaaaaaaaaaaand that's the end of the night. Happy New Year all!