The Netherlands

Is it The Netherlands or Holland?

We arrived late into Amsterdam on Thursday night. (it was only a short trip from Eindhoven - 1.5hrs on the bus via our first windmill! - what more do you want from a flight that cost 1p each way!?) We quickly grabbed the key for the apartment, dropped our luggage and headed out to grab some tucker from a bunch of sleazy waiters at a dodgy/touristy Italian restaurant. (Hey, I know we weren't in Italy but it was the only thing open - other than Maccas which I don't do unless there is nothing else available for miles/days!)






After a good and long night sleep, we scuttled around to get ready to head to the only plan I had for the trip, Mikes Bikes bike and boat tour of Amsterdam. It wasn't the nicest of days, but according to the always trusty weather report, it was possibly going to be the best option of the 5 and a way to get our bearings for the rest of the trip.

It was a small group of 8. Mostly from the US and Oz. (and other places that they aren't scared of some random holiday exercise!) The trip was 5 hrs, with part of it (obvious by the title!) on a boat through the canals. We immediately befriended 'fresh off the boat Stacy' from Melbourne. Whilst throwing back the free Heineken's on the boat, we discovered that there was a pub crawl that night, which started just a stones throw from our accommodation. Sounds like a plan!




After a rather strenuous and water-logged day, we forced ourselves to be part of the merriment.

Soon we were dancing and carrying on like there was no tomorrow. There wasn't - it was mostly spent on the pub crawl with might I add - 4 ADELAIDIANS! (like that EVER happens!)

Saturday started off quite dreary. Lack of sleep and lots of rain - shopping will fix it! Shoes everywhere! (Is that because of the clog tradition?) Between us we managed to buy 12 pairs....

Despite K managing to 'format' her camera (currently in the process of being unformatted - she hopes) we managed to revisit this very special culinary delight... then saw one more in The Hague... I AM I A CHAIN - THERE IS 14!! Not including the one in San Diego which I hope to inherit someday ;)

The next day for a bit of sight seeing, K and I were keen to hire a bike to look around, and more importantly, visit Anne Frank House. *TIP for travellers* if you are looking for this place, you will note Anne Frank House is on the North West side - not the North East where it says Anne Frank Street! This issue and a puncture meant we didn't make it there, but nevertheless, we know where it is and we did get to ride a bike around for about 4hrs and now know Amsterdam like the back of our hand.

Feeling like crap, cold and raining non stop, we headed to The Hague for the night. It was a Monday, so very quiet. I think going on the weekend and when it was nice weather I would have appreciated it a lot more. We had a quiet dinner and a few drinks, before retiring for the night.

It was 1.5 hrs still back to Eindhoven, and the weather continued to be dreary, getting worse and worse. We decided to head to Eindhoven for the day to get the train trip over with (and rest on it!) rather than hang around for more dreariness in Den Haag.

Eindhoven seemed the same. Nice place for an international business hub. but we were over the 5 days of rain and coldness (this is summer!?) At least we were not far from the flight back. After a last minute look through the markets, Centruum and a spot of nice lunch (BRING ON 1st July Smoke freeness!) we headed for our final destination (HOME!)

One thing i'll have to say (opposed to the liking I took to Holland) its kinda fucked - the whole reason they legalise things there is so there is respect, everyone is integrated into a social acceptable society - then globalisation has bought wankers from around the world to abuse it. (Waiters in Piccolo and Guy with the big umbrella take note).

and for more Amsters piccys...