It's 7:30 pm and we survived our first Queens Day. And it was fantastic!
So Paul & Maya left the house around10 am to check out the street sales. On Queens Day flee markets, or rummage sales abound in the streets of Amsterdam. Elle, Deb, Sue & I stayed behind to prepare ourselves for the day's festivities. We were spending the day on a canal boat organized by the mothers of the British School where Elle and Maya attend school. All of Amsterdam is out on this day, dressed in orange, white or gold.
So we biked over to the neighborhod where we're catching the boat. We meet other families an hour before we're to get on the boat for a pre-party. Our hosts served a wonderful Indian lunch and at 1 pm we boarded the boat for our 4 hour cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. The food was plentiful and the beer was abundant and the experience was one in a lifetime! It's hard to describe, you just have to see the pictures!
The streets and the canals were packed. Music was blasting everywhere, everyone was dancing and just having a good time. The amazing thing was that everyone was partying, but we didn't see any disorderly conduct or aggressive behavior that often shadows these types of events in the States. I'm not saying they didn't happen, I'm just saying we didn't see any.
So the day was a success. We're were able to safely peddle back home. And, Paul is already in bed! God bless Queen Beatrix.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Greetings from Sue
I guess it's about time for me to put my 2 cents into this trip, and not just be the tagalong. Betty has done a wonderful job of describing our adventures so far, so I will fill you briefly in on my "pickpocketing trauma." last Friday. After a wonderful time in Brugge, we were ready to move on to Ghent. However, we still had not enjoyed a true Belgian waffle, so decided it was time to do that. This is the last time I knew I had my wallet. We enjoyed a nice walk to the train station, and made our way through a very busy station, entered a very full train amongst many not-so-always polite Europeans. Seating was very limited and we all took the first seat we found. Wouldn't you know it, I pick the seat next to the gypsy lady. I had my purse and backpack close to me at all times (but obviously not close enough), About 20 minutes into the trip, I suddenly had this feeling. The wallet was gone!!! So I went into my panic mode, and my wonderful sister and niece calmed me down and took over the situation. (I was a mess). We got off at our stop, turned around and went back to Brugge (15 minute) in hopes I left my wallet at the waffle shop. Deb took off running to the shop, we met her halfway back, but no such luck. We stopped at the train Police station and filled out a theft report. They were extremely helpful, friendly and some of the nicest policeman I have ever met. They told us that there are at least 10 pickpocket events reported daily, and that is just the reported ones. He said the chance of getting the cash (170 euro) back is 0% and the credit cards 5%. So all they got was the wallet, money, credit card, WI drivers license and a picture of my adorable grandchildren. When we arrived in Ghent we contacted my family to cancel my cards. Luckily Jen was online at school, she was able to get ahold of Randy, who efficiently cancelled all my cards. I had made a copy of everything, so it was easy (lesson for all). The luckiest part of this whole adventure is I decided to put my passport into a different pocket in my purse. Had they stolen that - it would have really put a damper on the adventure. We also were blessed with good connections on our chase, helpful Europeans and the fact that it was so easy to get ahold of the USA so they could do cancelling. So now it is time to move one, and continue to enjoy the wonderful adventure. I am very grateful that my sister is here and able to "front" the rest of my trip. There will be "reckoning" when we get home, but family is the biggest blessing of all.
It's Monday morning, April 30th - we are about to get dressed in our orange and celebrate QUEENS DAY.
It's Monday morning, April 30th - we are about to get dressed in our orange and celebrate QUEENS DAY.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
4-29 Biking through Amsterdam (Betty)
Another slow morning at the Dixon house. It feels good not to have any big plans today. We want to be rested up for Queens Day tomorrow, the celebration of Netherland's Queen Mothers birthday.
After breakfast we head out to do some biking. Deb and Elle stay home to catch up on some homework and housework. Paul and Maya jump on his bike, Sue & I hop the tram and we meet down at the Leidseplein to rent some bikes.
Amsterdam is made for biking. But if one doesn't know what they're doing it could be a bit dangerous. Paul gives a quck lesson on Amsterdam biking rules and we're off. What a great time. We stop for lunch on a canal in the Jordaan neighborhood, visit a cheese shop, and then head to Vondelpark to meet up with Deb & Elle.
The sky's are threatening to rain, so we decide to head back to Hotel Dixon. I need to return my rental tonight so I head back to the bike rental with Paul while Sue, Deb and the girls head home. Paul drops me off at the rental store and heads home. I plan to hop a tram home. But instead I walk. I know there will be more beer to walk off.
Tomorrow - Queens Day!!!
After breakfast we head out to do some biking. Deb and Elle stay home to catch up on some homework and housework. Paul and Maya jump on his bike, Sue & I hop the tram and we meet down at the Leidseplein to rent some bikes.
Amsterdam is made for biking. But if one doesn't know what they're doing it could be a bit dangerous. Paul gives a quck lesson on Amsterdam biking rules and we're off. What a great time. We stop for lunch on a canal in the Jordaan neighborhood, visit a cheese shop, and then head to Vondelpark to meet up with Deb & Elle.
The sky's are threatening to rain, so we decide to head back to Hotel Dixon. I need to return my rental tonight so I head back to the bike rental with Paul while Sue, Deb and the girls head home. Paul drops me off at the rental store and heads home. I plan to hop a tram home. But instead I walk. I know there will be more beer to walk off.
Tomorrow - Queens Day!!!
4-28 Ghent (Betty)
After a late night we sleep in. The weather is gloomy and we're in no hurry to get anywhere. We finally check out of the Ghent River hotel at 11ish and head out to find a coffee and something light for breakfast. We find a pastry shop that meets our needs and after refuling we head out on the streets of Ghent. The city has a different feel from Bruge. Instead of groups of tourists we see the locals tending to their Saturday shopping.
It's raining slight so we walk to the Ghent Castle. Deb has already been here and Sue and I opt to save our castle touring for Germany. Instead we check out the Saint Bavo Cathedral. It's a great break from the weather and we're in luck, there's a school choir concert going on. So we settle in for a bit to listen and then tour the rest of the church and the crypts beneath the alter.
Before we leave the city we stop at the Belgium Chocolate shop, then head to the train station. It's time to head home.
It's raining slight so we walk to the Ghent Castle. Deb has already been here and Sue and I opt to save our castle touring for Germany. Instead we check out the Saint Bavo Cathedral. It's a great break from the weather and we're in luck, there's a school choir concert going on. So we settle in for a bit to listen and then tour the rest of the church and the crypts beneath the alter.
Before we leave the city we stop at the Belgium Chocolate shop, then head to the train station. It's time to head home.
4-27 Brugge (Betty)
We started the day rather early today. We're up at five and out of the house by six to catch the 7 am train to Brugge, the Venice of the north. After 3 train transfers and 3.5 hours we arrive in Brugge. The sky is still cloudy, but the sun will peek out later during our visit.
We stroll into the old city center, walking along the river and canels our first stop is the Beguinage, a Catholic order of lay women who wished to serve God, but not enter the convent - oh I'm sure there's more to it! We also visited a similar settlement in Amsterdam.
Our second stop was at a little sidewalk cafe for a ham and cheese sandwich and some of the famous Belgian beer. We order out of our pilsner comfort zone and opt for some local favorites. We feel a few sprinkles of rain but wish it away.
After a great lunch and some good "girlie" conversation we continue on into the city. Many of the churches and historical building now charge to enter. Deb & I opt to climb the belfry tower while Sue sits with our back packs in the courtyard. 366 steps later we have a beautiful view of Bruge and the surrounding countryside. Now for the climb down. Ahh, much easier.
Our next stop was a 30 boat tour of the Canals. Our tour guide's name was Sean Connery - so he claimed. It was nice to see the canals from the water level. During the tour we spotted a canal side bar that had 3 empty bar stools calling our name. More local beer to sample.
After our beer it was time to head back to the train station. But we couldn't leave town before sampling a belgian waffle! Lucky we're walking our way through Europe otherwise we'd have to buy some larger pants!
This is where the day gets a bit rough. While on the 6 pm train, almost in Ghent where we're spending the night, Sue realized her wallet was missing. So we hop off the train and catch the return train to Brugge to return to the waffle shop. I'll let Sue fill you in on the rest of the story.
Finally, at 9 am we check into the Ghent River Hotel, exhausted! Tomorrow we plan to tour Ghent.
We stroll into the old city center, walking along the river and canels our first stop is the Beguinage, a Catholic order of lay women who wished to serve God, but not enter the convent - oh I'm sure there's more to it! We also visited a similar settlement in Amsterdam.
Our second stop was at a little sidewalk cafe for a ham and cheese sandwich and some of the famous Belgian beer. We order out of our pilsner comfort zone and opt for some local favorites. We feel a few sprinkles of rain but wish it away.
After a great lunch and some good "girlie" conversation we continue on into the city. Many of the churches and historical building now charge to enter. Deb & I opt to climb the belfry tower while Sue sits with our back packs in the courtyard. 366 steps later we have a beautiful view of Bruge and the surrounding countryside. Now for the climb down. Ahh, much easier.
Our next stop was a 30 boat tour of the Canals. Our tour guide's name was Sean Connery - so he claimed. It was nice to see the canals from the water level. During the tour we spotted a canal side bar that had 3 empty bar stools calling our name. More local beer to sample.
After our beer it was time to head back to the train station. But we couldn't leave town before sampling a belgian waffle! Lucky we're walking our way through Europe otherwise we'd have to buy some larger pants!
This is where the day gets a bit rough. While on the 6 pm train, almost in Ghent where we're spending the night, Sue realized her wallet was missing. So we hop off the train and catch the return train to Brugge to return to the waffle shop. I'll let Sue fill you in on the rest of the story.
Finally, at 9 am we check into the Ghent River Hotel, exhausted! Tomorrow we plan to tour Ghent.
4-26 Enjoying the City (Betty)
Another wonderful day in Amsterdam. Today we woke up early. Deb had already left to take the girls to school (via bikes) and Paul was just leaving for work. Sue & I took the time to get a bit organized and get ready for the day.
Later in the morning we walked down to the corner bakery for cappicino and pastry, then on to the The Albert Cuyp Market, a street market on Albert Cuypstraat in the Oud-Zuid district of the city. The street and market are named for Albert Cuyp, a 17th century painter. It was alot like going to a swap meet in Southern CA with a broader variety of venders - bread cheese, meats, olives, fruits & veggies trinkets, clothes, and fabric to name a few. Oh, yeah ... and kohlrabi. YUM! Many of the stalls were extensions of shops along the street.
After walking through the market we checked out the Heinekin Brewery but opted not to take the tour. Instead we hopped a tram and headed toward Rembrandt Square where we found a quiet cafe to have lunch. We ordered some lunch and a glass of local beer and enjoyed the sites and sounds of Amsterdam. One of the cutest things was the wagons filled with toe-headed nursery school children being pushed by their, tall, blond teachers. Have I mentioned Dutch people are very tall?
After lunch we hopped back on the tram and headed back to the Dixon Hotel to rest up for our big evening out - Paul's "Red Light" tour!
We head back out around 6:15, jump back on the tram and head back to central Amsterdam. First stop, In de Wildeman, an authentic Dutch pub located in an old distillery. After sampling of some great beers we move on to our second stop, Wynand Fockink, a liquer distillery established around 1679. We try the house specialty in apple flavor - WOW! Perhaps it's time to get some food in our bellies.
So we head back toward Rembrandt Square via the red light district - through the ethnic section, the "hottie" section, the transvestite section, and on and on. This is part of Amsterdam one always hears about, but there is so much more to this city!
It's 9:30 and our last stop is dinner at a Thai restaurant. Great food and great company! Suddenly it's 11pm and it's time to go home.
Later in the morning we walked down to the corner bakery for cappicino and pastry, then on to the The Albert Cuyp Market, a street market on Albert Cuypstraat in the Oud-Zuid district of the city. The street and market are named for Albert Cuyp, a 17th century painter. It was alot like going to a swap meet in Southern CA with a broader variety of venders - bread cheese, meats, olives, fruits & veggies trinkets, clothes, and fabric to name a few. Oh, yeah ... and kohlrabi. YUM! Many of the stalls were extensions of shops along the street.
After walking through the market we checked out the Heinekin Brewery but opted not to take the tour. Instead we hopped a tram and headed toward Rembrandt Square where we found a quiet cafe to have lunch. We ordered some lunch and a glass of local beer and enjoyed the sites and sounds of Amsterdam. One of the cutest things was the wagons filled with toe-headed nursery school children being pushed by their, tall, blond teachers. Have I mentioned Dutch people are very tall?
After lunch we hopped back on the tram and headed back to the Dixon Hotel to rest up for our big evening out - Paul's "Red Light" tour!
We head back out around 6:15, jump back on the tram and head back to central Amsterdam. First stop, In de Wildeman, an authentic Dutch pub located in an old distillery. After sampling of some great beers we move on to our second stop, Wynand Fockink, a liquer distillery established around 1679. We try the house specialty in apple flavor - WOW! Perhaps it's time to get some food in our bellies.
So we head back toward Rembrandt Square via the red light district - through the ethnic section, the "hottie" section, the transvestite section, and on and on. This is part of Amsterdam one always hears about, but there is so much more to this city!
It's 9:30 and our last stop is dinner at a Thai restaurant. Great food and great company! Suddenly it's 11pm and it's time to go home.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
4-25 Exploring the City (Betty)
We woke up slowly this morning. After coffee and some great local croissants we ventured out with Deb who introduced us to the tram system - just jump on the #5 or 24 and get on at the Biblioteck!
So we started off at the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market) which is the only floating flower market in the world. The flower stalls stand on the houseboats. Oh how we wish we could carry these bulbs & buds back to the US! We wander through enjoying the sites and smells, and stopping at a cheese market for a few samples of the local flavors.
Leaving the Market we walked to the Begijnhof Kapel, a chapel enclosed in a courtyard. The church "was built in the 14th century as a residence for the Begijntes (Beguines), a Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women who wished to live a pious life of service without becoming nuns. The Beguines received free lodging in return for caring for the sick and the educating the poor of Amsterdam." Unfortunately we were unable to go inside because of a service being conducted. This is the chapel where Elle (Deb &Paul's daughter) sang with her school choir for Thanksgiving service.
Leaving the Begijnhof, we search for some lunch settling for a generous dose of Frittes (french fries) with various toppings. The ChipsyKing delivered. Fries devoured we headed out to find a pub to wash down the fries. Again, success.
From here Sue & I part ways with Deb. She heads back home to pick up the kids from school. Sue & I walk to the Anne Frank Museum for our tour. I visited this museum in 2009. Walking through it a second time is just as sobering. It is so difficult to believe the intolerance of that era ever existed in this City of Tolerance. Sue had also been to the museum in 1969. I'll let her tell you about her experience.
After touring the museum, we stopped at the cafeteria to wait out the rain and introduce Sue to European cappicino. She's hooked!!! Then we decide to walk to Leidseplein to find the local Hard Rock - success. It's not too much further to the Dixons and we're right accross from Vondelpark, so we decide to walk the rest of the way and we're glad we did. We stopped at the local grocery store, Albert Heim, picked up a couple of items and headed back to Ruysdaelstraat.
The remainder of the evening we enjoyed the company of our host family and headed for bed by 10 to conquer our jet lag and rest up for Day 2.
So we started off at the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market) which is the only floating flower market in the world. The flower stalls stand on the houseboats. Oh how we wish we could carry these bulbs & buds back to the US! We wander through enjoying the sites and smells, and stopping at a cheese market for a few samples of the local flavors.
Leaving the Market we walked to the Begijnhof Kapel, a chapel enclosed in a courtyard. The church "was built in the 14th century as a residence for the Begijntes (Beguines), a Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women who wished to live a pious life of service without becoming nuns. The Beguines received free lodging in return for caring for the sick and the educating the poor of Amsterdam." Unfortunately we were unable to go inside because of a service being conducted. This is the chapel where Elle (Deb &Paul's daughter) sang with her school choir for Thanksgiving service.
Leaving the Begijnhof, we search for some lunch settling for a generous dose of Frittes (french fries) with various toppings. The ChipsyKing delivered. Fries devoured we headed out to find a pub to wash down the fries. Again, success.
From here Sue & I part ways with Deb. She heads back home to pick up the kids from school. Sue & I walk to the Anne Frank Museum for our tour. I visited this museum in 2009. Walking through it a second time is just as sobering. It is so difficult to believe the intolerance of that era ever existed in this City of Tolerance. Sue had also been to the museum in 1969. I'll let her tell you about her experience.
After touring the museum, we stopped at the cafeteria to wait out the rain and introduce Sue to European cappicino. She's hooked!!! Then we decide to walk to Leidseplein to find the local Hard Rock - success. It's not too much further to the Dixons and we're right accross from Vondelpark, so we decide to walk the rest of the way and we're glad we did. We stopped at the local grocery store, Albert Heim, picked up a couple of items and headed back to Ruysdaelstraat.
The remainder of the evening we enjoyed the company of our host family and headed for bed by 10 to conquer our jet lag and rest up for Day 2.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
4-24 In the Dam (Betty)
We made it! We're in Amsterdam! After a very, tight connection for me (Betty) at Heathrow we were seated next to each other the plane to Ansterdam. And now it's 4:30 am and I'm wide awake? But not before: 1) We're met by our wonderful nephew-in-law, Paul, at the Airport. 2) we received our first lesson on tran & tram etiquette from Paul. 3) Experience our first climb up the Dixon stairwell. 4) Hug & kiss all the Dixon ladies. 5) Drink the Dixon fridge clear of beer. 6) Have a wonderfully evening of conversation. 7) Love to finally be here. We finally head to bed around midnight. But jet lag is viering its ugly head. Gotta try for some more sleep.
PS Sue & I are using the same blog to post. So you'll see one of our names after the title.
PS Sue & I are using the same blog to post. So you'll see one of our names after the title.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Another Journey
When we heard our niece and her family were relocating to Amsterdam, my sister and I decided this would be the opportune time to plan a sister to sister beer-cation.
If you're up to it, follow us on our travel blog!
If you're up to it, follow us on our travel blog!
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