30-Day Solo Travel in Europe | Day 2: Finding Joy in My Own Company

Last night's sleep was surprisingly peaceful (read more about Day 1 of my trip here). No noisy snoring from my roommates, and of course thanks to my eye mask and earplugs as well. I woke up before my alarm, feeling much refreshed, and did my makeup around the sink before heading down for breakfast at the hostel.

I was excited for the day trip I had booked to Edam, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans. At first, I felt a little anxious about navigating a foreign country on my own, but then I discovered Google Maps' Live View, which turned out to be a total lifesaver! It shows you the real street view through your camera and points out the direction with a handy arrow. Honestly, it made me feel like a local!

Most of the people on the tour were travelling in pairs or groups, but I was surprisingly comfortable exploring solo. Our first stop was an Edam cheese factory, where we learned about the cheese-making process and sampled all sorts of delicious flavours. I was so relieved that the rain stopped today, even with the overcast sky. The weather felt just right for my outdoor adventure.

Next, we wandered through Volendam's charming market, bursting with vibrant colours and traditional Dutch styles. I was especially thrilled to see all the Miffy decorations (known as ‘Nijntje’ in Dutch, meaning little rabbit—how cute!). It was a bummer that I was travelling with just a 21-inch suitcase, which meant I couldn’t buy any of the tempting pastries, giant cheese wheels, or my beloved Miffy souvenirs. I guess I can only blame myself for being more of a romantic than a realist when it comes to packing!

After lunch, we headed to the windmills at Zaanse Schans, where a handsome craftsman demonstrated traditional clog-making. The entrance to the windmill was €6, and I decided to skip that in favour of visiting the nearby Zaans Museum instead. My fantastic Museum Card got me in for free, which even included access to the toilets (a small win, as most places in Europe charge for that!).

By the time the tour wrapped up around 3-4 PM, I was back in Amsterdam, and I was craving something warm for dinner. So, I treated myself to Thai boat noodles, simply because I felt I deserved a little indulgence. And I paired it with a sweet Thai milk tea, felt like heaven!

I returned to the hostel early, still feeling a bit surreal about finally being on my solo trip. I sat down to write about my journey and the emotions of the past two days. I want to capture these memories while they’re still fresh in my mind, knowing they’ll bring a smile to my face when I look back on them one day.