How long does it take from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal?

[Throwback year 2025]

Plenty of time to kill before my next flight. So I went to explore the city center. After exiting the immigration, i walked towards the Schiphol station which is inside the Schiphol Plaza....

But before that, made a detour outside the plaza for this iconic signboard.

Now back to the station....

There are ticket machines to purchase tickets, but I only have big notes, hence i gotta buy from the counter.

The terminals are underground, with no proper gate/turnstile. Just remember to tap the ticket at the yellow check-in pole before boarding the train, or else risked being fined.

This station looks very retro.

The underground terminal.

How much is my return ticket?

3 stops away. Expected to reach Amsterdam Centraal in 13:47

Reached!

Back to the question.....the answer is roughly 20 minutes!

Casco Viejo, Panama

[Throwback year 2023]

Just posting some of the photos that I took 3 years ago while strolling Casco Viejo, the old town of Panama City. Casco Viejo is something like our Malacca Town with all the historical buildings.

[Below] Iglesia de San José (Church of Saint Joseph). It houses the renowned Golden Altar (Altar de Oro)

There is a myth regarding this golden altar. As per the AI search:

The Myth: Popular folklore claims that when Henry Morgan attacked in 1671, a quick-thinking priest painted the precious golden altar black to disguise it as crude or worthless. 

The Reality: Historical and physical analysis has debunked this legend, showing that the golden altar was actually crafted in the early 18th century.

Some of the buildings here house the government offices.

Many turned to cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants too.

There are a few historical buildings surrounding the Independence Square - the Municipal Palace of Panama (Palacio Municipal) is one of them (see below). I stood at Basilica of Santa Maria while taking this picture.

Some hidden alleys in between the old blocks.

This entire place is like a mini old Spanish town.

Seafront....

The dark skies looming. I ran to find shelter coz it was drizzling.

By the way, you can't find a decent beach in Panama City. Too many vessels passing by.

Also, there are many yellow facade buildings in Casco Viejo....the below is another government office.

Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Most of the buildings here are well preserved. 

Monuments

I also visited the Canal Museum. Paid USD15 (per pax) for the visit. The museum is devoted to the history of the construction of the Panama Canal in its various stages, including the first French construction attempt, the later construction by the United States and the transfer to Panamanian control.

Before that, some stone age artefacts....

Not sure what are these, but they look artistic!😂

The ships....like those seen at Malacca straits centuries ago.

Old coins....You can maneuver the magnifying glass to look at the details of the coins.

Another insightful history lesson from visiting this museum.

Cane Garden Bay, BVI

2 days before I left BVI, my colleagues brought me out for lunch at Cane Garden Bay which is located at the other side of the Tortola island.

The restaurant is located right next to the beach, with clear blue waters. Very scenic!😍

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The morning view at Terrance B. Lettsome Airport, taken on my last day in BVI. This was early in the morning, around 7am. There are only morning flights to Sint Maarten.

I was first to check-in!

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After a 45 minutes flight, reached Princess Juliana Intl Airport in Sint Maarten again. It is a nicer, slightly bigger airport than Terrance B. Lettsome Airport. At least here they have a foodcourt and some fast-food restaurants😀

On my way back to Panama!

Along the coast of Panama. The airport is just in the vicinity.

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Finally, back to my home-sweet-home in Costa del Este around 4pm-ish.

Did my laundry and catch-up with some sleep as I woke up early during the day (due to the morning flight).

Sint Maarten, Caribbean

3 hours flight from Panama City to Sint Maarten on Copa Airlines. I don't expect much on being served nice food when on a non-Asian airlines....They would usually serve just chips and cookies. But well, i'm fine with that. Plantain chips are my favorites.

[Below] The flight route....flying above the Caribbean Sea.

Reached Sint Maarten around noon. As it was still too early to check-in, I hang around the airport and took my lunch before taking taxi to the 'lodging place'....

I don't know if the place I stayed could fit the definition of a 'hotel' coz it looks like some sort of motel nearby the airport. My boss randomly booked this place coz it is nearest to the airport as I have a morning flight to catch the next day.

My lodging place - BethsAida Conference Center & Boutique Hotel.....

such a long name!

But the place is nothing fancy like a boutique hotel, just a normal lodging place with ordinary room.

It looks just like your bedroom😂

with clean bathroom and basic amenities. USD250 per nite....not cheap!

The balcony facing the airport tarmac.

It was noisy during the daytime...due to the plane landing and departing. The airport close at 7pm and it was all quiet then.

[Below] The lodging place's communal area with tables/chairs. There is no desk in the room, hence this is the only available working space.

Not far from the airport, there is a roundabout with Sint Maarten flag.

[Below] Are you able to guess the meaning of this signboard?

Yes, it is a bus stop.

I hopped onto a bus to Maho Beach for an adventure😎

a dangerous adventure!

Maho Beach on a Thursday evening. Ah, these people no need work!

some sipping cocktails while enjoying the reggae beat by the Caribbean Sea😂

Life is such a bliss for these wealthy holiday-goers!

Nearby Maho Beach there are a few established hotels and restaurants. Nope, I did not dine there although my boss recommended me to visit. I need to go back before the skies turn dark...Looks like it is going to rain soon!

I love St Maarten!💕

and the clear blue sea.....

Walking back to the bus stop....I saw this signboard. I don't quite understand what has changed?

Could be some new road under construction....

But as a first timer seeing this signboard warning, it really got me alerted and be extra careful coz I don't know to what extent the traffic situation has changed😅