Sunday 7th April Day 14
Woke after 9 hours sleep, threw clothes into suitcase and off to final breakie, still can’t do big breakie. Managed to discretely acquire lunch, cheese and biscuits and yoghurt, sure fellow travellers do not behave like this but saves us a 1st meal in Amsterdam.
Boat departure very orderly, strolled to railway station to see “Park Plaza” right in front of us, talk about easy to locate. Wow, very nice 4 star hotel with excellent service, huge room on old side but we very happy with our great deal home for next 5 nights. Travel Angel looking down on us, 1st day of sunshine all year and everyone out enjoying Sunday. Managed early check in (very, very lucky) quick cuppa tea, got our bearings and off to explore the famous Amsterdam.
Red Bus Hop on Hop Off 17 Euro departed just round the corner from our hotel, easy to find all the must see tourist sights. So much easier travelling in countries where English is spoken.
Jewish Museum left me thinking once again how and why does one race get treated so harshly for so long and now do the same to Palestine’s, need to go home and do more refresher study. I know so little it seems.
Coffee (yea the real stuff) at Hard Rock Café, sitting outside in the sunshine overlooking the canal watching the world and many canal boats cruise by. Felt very VIP as in many tourist photos. Good shopping, must have Tulip Shopping bag and little goodies. Not a lot of money spent yet.
Discovered we very close or are we actually in The Red Light District? Much education at 1st visit to high class sex shop, OMG! OMG! Not even tempted to try or buy. Many local coffee houses and many absolutely stoned people, much happiness in Amsterdam. One could get stoned just passing by.
Home for a cuppa tea, brad and banana, energy levels recharged and off for more adventures. Visit to Anne Frank’s Hause. Wow, Wow, Wow! Walking up those stairs (which did creak) and back into life for Jews in hiding in 1942 something one will not forget. Anne and the record of their life in occupied Holland still draws hundreds or more daily, was worth the wait in long queue. Tragic ending for Anne and so many been sent off to “better places” as the Germans tried to convince all Jews. Fortunately her father managed to survive the camps and published her diaries.
Amsterdam alive, is this really a Sunday night, what is a Friday or Saturday like?
Monday 8th April Day 15
After big sleep, breakfast with much choice at Park Plaza, we definitely will get our money’s worth staying here. Red Bus tour around the city, many places of interest we obviously missed yesterday. Sure is an easy city to find everything of interest.
Walked back streets to Flower Market, so so much to see, fab couple of hours shopping for tulips. Big spend of the holiday 30 silk tulips, biggest decision what colour? $60 NZ now how to get them home! A few more goodies, def not a lot tempting me. Tried much cheese and even green cheese at the Cheese shops, tram back to hotel for late lunch. We so close to everything sure do have Location, Location, Location.
Sure seen some sights, seems so strange coffee shops scattered everywhere, weird and wonderful drug paraphanilla on sale, magic mushrooms and even “Cannabis starter kits at the flower markets for a mere $2.50. Wooden tulips, all shapes and sizes! Back to our lovely Hotel for a cuppa and some lunch then off on next adventure, canal cruise of Amsterdam, great way to see the city, buildings amazing. So many canal cruises full of tourists, where does everyone come from? This certainly is a No 1 destination (oops I lie, it’s No 2 after San Francisco. More tourists with the wheels on their suitcases clattering over the pavements than anywhere I’ve been before. Monday and the city is humming or is it buzzing? 1 hour cruise 15 Euro, quick dinner out Vegetarian with all the trimmings, even buying a meal in a foreign country can be a real mission. Delicious and much healthier than the No 1 fav chips drowned in mayo. Yuk, but the queues lining up at each shop prove they must be delicious. 6 Euro .40 for our 1st big meal out in so long.
7pm Red Light District Walking Tour 10Euro well spent, couldn’t believe so many tourists would wana be peering into windows of near naked women on a Monday night but crowds turned up, luckily our guide an Aussie and he even encouraged us all to pay big money 2 Euro for a “peep” The sista and myself squashed into a tiny little room peeking at woman!!! Mmmm, much laughter and not inspired to donate a 2nd lot of money buy hey “we’ve been and seen” Saw many sights that I’d never seen before, much dope been smoked, much suspect behaviour, much mystery. This old Nana wouldn’t wana be walking those streets without our tour group of 20 guys and a few women. Seems we came from all corners of the world, all to experience or get a glimpse of the seedy sex side of the city.
Back to hotel after 8.30pm exhausted after yet another big day holidaying. Such fun to be had.
Tuesday 9th April Day 16
This is what holidaying all about, sleeping in till 7.30am, watching TV, Aljazeera TV, very interesting, not what one would expect, very westernized, maybe I like many others don’t understand and still have a narrow mind when it comes to other religions, cultures etc.
Leisurely breakie at 9am, def. in holiday mode, managed to once again acquire goodies for lunch, sure helps make the Euro’s stretch further.
24 hour tram pass for 7.5 Euro and off to finally lay my eyes on Van Gogh’s original works of art. Surprised to find hundreds of others already in the long queues also waiting. Mmmm maybe we should have spent more time preplanning and pre purchasing tickets and avoiding these tourist queues. Still was well worth the wait, pleased I’d refreshed my knowledge on Vincent’s strange life and behaviors by reading his autobiography not long ago. Nothing in the world like standing in front of a real “Masterpiece” Much of the artworks sure did not appeal but the Sunflowers definitely up there, finances did not allow the original so just have to make do with my few wee goodies. The sister will enjoy her beautiful Sunflower handbag for years to come.
Back to hotel, lunch and discovery of real shops just 1 street from our hotel. So much to discover and so little time. All the label shops, still nothing to tempt me, past experience tells me it’s not worth the hassle and where would more shopping fit in my suitcase? Burger King for tea, tempted to test the famous No 1 fav chips which crowds happily lineup for, maybe tomorrow. Drowned in mayo sure doesn’t appeal, not exactly a real healthy option.
Watched World News, Gaylene not happy chappy to hear her wee home evacuated as their 65 floor building tower rocking in the aftershock of Iran’s 6.2 earthquake. The joys of modern technology, and all worries sorted within an hour. Out to get some milk at 10pm and see the sights. Checked out trains for future adventures, note to self, so much easier when one can read signs, understand unhelpful service people speaking foreign language and just read English. Oh well us intrepid travelers do love a challenge.
Big mission, late night tram ride, most dangerous activity in Amsterdam has to be “crossing da road” Many, many cyclists zooming past, some ringing their bells warning but none with any intention of slowing down Between the bikes, cars, trams the walker is in continual danger. One would not be tempted to own a car, public transport brilliants and locals happy to ride pre 1950’s bikes, just old clapped out bikes, some more up market or decorated. All bikes just locked up on footpath all nite, obviously not a lot of bike thieves. Quote to Germans from the War “Give us back our bicycles” Obviously best form of transport used here forever.
Much laughter trying to get on a tram and more confusion trying to get off once inside, is travel as confusing to “foreigners” in our wee country I wonder. Just gotta know what door to use, what button to push, what side to scan card, luckily lots of friendly, helpful locals to old Nana’s. Home with fresh milk for cuppa tea and bed by 11pm.
Looks as if NZ dollar improving, just my luck when I’ve pre-paid for Euros’ oh well the joys of travel.
Wednesday 10th April Day 17
Another leisurely breakie, finally notice many fellow tourists take extras for later, today is bacon roll and bun for me as off on yet another big adventure.
After much discussion and try to interpret signs in foreign language (the local language) finally found a bus and for 10 Euro we head off without map or much knowledge to explore the real Netherlands.
Arrived before busloads of tourists and enjoyed the beautiful seaside village of Volendam, could smell the sea and the fresh fish. Many wee shops and stalls selling very fresh fish and other goodies. Biggest decision where to shop for our “fish treat” Definitely felt close to the North Pole, looking out to sea, very bleak, grey and progressively icy cold as the day wore on. Have worn $2 NZ beanie, gloves and scarf daily, most of the day and night, dressing for warmth not glamour this trip. Intrepid travelers doing very well wearing same clothes over and over, could have left a few more clothes at home, same clothes, different day every photo.
Tried local fish in a bun, not as good as what I get at home but fresh as. Had hot chocolate and final slice of apple cake, then bus to Edam. MMM remind us why we wanted to go there? Walked miles, questioning our sanity when travel angel guided us to Edam village markets and the yummiest hot, hot chocolate of holiday delicious and only 2 Euros. Strolled down many streets, lanes, back alleys, exploring many quaint wee shops chatting to many friendly locals and finally found bus back to Amsterdam with fresh specialty cakes to enjoy for supper but no Edam Cheese.
Love our Park Plaza Hotel with Location, location, location, can easily call back, hot cuppa or soup and nibbles and we off again, no precious hours wasted getting back to hotel.
Real travelers hanging out in very busy bar for a coffee and beer before our adventure of the day. 4 Euro for an hour of shock!!! At the Sex Museum, OMG not a lot one could say, but much laughter, crowds lured into the same seedy culture as us, information overload. Checked out recommended Coffee Shop but didn’t appeal, how old would we look just sitting, staring. Real Nana behavior. Passport required for entry, tourists allowed? ounces only, no heavy drugs, no dealers, many rules but many, many people spending much time, major must do on most tourists to do list: Get Wasted in Amsterdam.
Amazing array of drug goodies on sale every 2nd shop, chocolate, cookers, coffee, or tea, lollipops, lollies, seeds to do whatever with, magic mushrooms, the list endless and then shops packed with rows of drug related goodies. Still we didn’t see the result of much excess, see way more NZ Friday night.
Soup and rolls for late tea, bed by 10pm, ready for last big day of holidays. Tulips may you be flowering tomorrow……..
Thursday 11th April Day 18
Woke to the sound of raindrops, why wouldn’t it finally be raining when one is finally going for a leisurely stroll in acres and acres of gardens? Def. no heat wave during the night so head off to Keukenhoff Gardens in the same warm clothes we have worn for entire Amsterdam holiday. Reminder to self: take less clothes on future adventures.
Why are so many people visiting Tulips on freezing cold, rainy day? Tour bus full and for 40 Euro, sure da easiest way to travel, no standing freezing waiting for a bus or train for us wealthy tourists today. Much money must be paid to entrance gatekeepers at Keukenhoff during the spring, tourist operators sure on to a good thing. Very difficult for us intrepid travelers to find our own way from Amsterdam, no locals seem keen to depart with any info.
Mmmm tulip leaves sprouting through the muddy grounds, but a long way till flowering, still it doesn’t matter, we are here, yes finally. Maybe not a lot of tulips but gardens with masses color from crocus, daffodils, and many other early spring bulbs. After taking numerous photos on both IPhone 4S and new camera we enter the warmth of a pavilion, OMG flowers everywhere. Don’t need tulips outside when inside is a never ending display of the most amazing tulips, how can there be so many colors, shapes, sizes, leaves etc. More photos, many more, along with hundreds of other tulip fans all trying to capture the perfect photos, what am I going to do with all these flower photos? Enjoy and remember the day.
Also fabulous displays of every spring bulb and shrub, just so like living back in Fairlie, like stepping back into Grandma’s garden, travel ½ way round the world to have childhood memories’ come flooding back.
Finally found a decent display of early tulips outside, which is the closest one gets to tip toeing thru the tulips. Hot chocolate to thaw the body and avoid the blood freezing, body rested and warmed slightly and off on more garden strolling. Time flies when having fun and 2.30pm departure in no time. Purchased must have tulip apron to match my must have tulip shopping bag. It’s the must have 30 silk tulips that will be big worry tomorrow, how to get them home safely. Experience has taught me don’t buy glass, china, breakables but I have not previously attempted flowers. Will I ever learn? Still my silk tulips will be enjoyed for many days to come. No idea what my favorite tulip is, so many, big decisions.
Arrived back to Park Plaza Hotel at 3pm, where it is all happening, many more visitors today, streets crowded with yet more tourists arriving (with bags clattering behind them) for a wild weekend or a few days fun in Sin City. Pleased we have room in very nice hotel not like the many hotels down suspect, seedy, side streets, up many stairs, not this Nana’s kind of holidaying now.
Final walk round the bustling streets, so much to see, shame it is so ice cold. Decided on 2nd visit to vegetarian for dinner, got it all sorted now for under 5Euro, know not to order the extras as fillings are unlimited, how do they make a profit? Obviously repeat business with such great deals.
Walk round Coffee Shops and Red Light area for one, last time, should we? Shouldn’t we? Go experience real live Amsterdam famous Coffee Shops. Hate the smell of dope so can’t see the point of sitting in a bar full of people smoking just for the “legal experience” Sure I’ve experienced that ample times without choice. So shock, horror we probably the only 2 Nana’s to travel ½ way round the world to Amsterdam and not experience “Coffee Shops” seems crazy, me who loves coffee so much but know to get a real coffee one needs a “cafe”,
Home to hotel to do final packing and enjoy sister time for the last night of our awesome holiday.
Friday 12th April Day 19
Woke to yet another icy, cold wet day in Amsterdam, so much for the promised spring weather of 20 degrees, they dreaming. Oh well suppose we very lucky we did experience 1 warm spring day.
What has happened? My bag all packed and there is still room for more, lots more as Emirates airline limit is 30kg, seems the professional traveler / shopper than I am each trip equals less weight.
Train to airport, dragging bags through train carriages is 1 reason not to have heavy bags, after much struggling through carriages, clambering over fellow travelers and their bags, we finally located seats, slight problem 1st class. (Apparently) looked identical carriages, seats etc. only difference no one sitting in them. Fortunately wee man never came and checked our tickets so arrived at Amsterdam airport without too much hassle and stress. 1 hour before check in open, what to do? Shop or be 1st in the queue. As soon as we made the line a queue of like-minded travelers appeared behind us in no time, lucky we decided to wait as much time wasted just waiting and waiting in queues. Travelling sure can be stressful, especially the airport part of it. All those official people, put some in uniform and power goes to their head. Still I can’t be upsetting officialdom as it may result in back of queue, another queue or worse still put aside. Especially in foreign countries little old Nana from NZ does not need any grief, and there certainly many queues lining up before one gets anywhere near ones actual Emirate A380 Airbus (plane)
6 hour flight to Dubai over in no time, 2 great movies and another delicious Emirate meal and time for quick sista farewells before I shuttled off to Copthorne Hotel for a few hours rest and relaxation. Arrived and checked in by 1am (local time) while Gaylene not see her bed till well after 4am in Abu Dhabi.
On arrival hotel looking very familiar as this ‘jet setter’ has stayed a few times on previous travels. Very basic, cheap as (free) room, no hairdryer, no plugs, oh well, hot shower, clean comfy bed. Sleep, ha-ha, no way.
Saturday 13th April Day 20
Wake up call at 6am, but didn’t really need that as one had barely shut eyes let alone slept. Bedlam in over crowded restaurant, made a nice cuppa tea, went to get toast etc. and returned to a very cheeky man obviously enjoying my cuppa. He just looked at me…….drank my cuppa tea and left, maybe he was waiting for me to deliver his breakfast also. The cheek of some people, sure that wouldn’t happen in little old NZ. Ugly cheap breakie, too excited to eat anyway. Sure not up to the standard of Emirate flights meals that I am now accustomed.
Shuttle bus back to bustling Dubai airport at 8am and then back to yet more queues and checking in, bag inspections and doing it all over again. No scanning of the eyes like on arrival last night or the major x-ray body inspection, photo, shoes etc. before departing Amsterdam now that was a real check, easy to get into not such an easy city to get out of.
Last minute visit to da loo, why is piddling so stressful? One has choice of 2 loos, a real one or the wee thing in the floor! Hence a queue yet again for the real one. Once again loo won’t flush, stress, all these sensor hi tech loos’ that do not flush until your departure. One day I will write a book on my “wee experiences” I sure have had many stress, shocking and hilarious experiences during my years of foreign travel. Weeing sure is not the same world-wide.
Sunday 14th April Day 21
Arrived back in Auckland after long, long flight with the most stressful stopover in Sydney. Why we all had to exit plane and line up yet again to get checked into Aussie to then line up and depart one hour later. …….doesn‘t make sense. All over tired peoples travelling onto NZ on 20 hour flight to have to be subjected to foreign Aussie with power. My beautiful Tulip carry bag scanned and then put aside. Very rude man very rude when I politely enquired what is wrong with my bag? After rudely ignoring my question finally my bag is opened and my nearly full bottles of hair shampoo and conditioner taken and binned, I mean how I dare exceed 100ml limit for liquid. I explained he best not even think about taking my duty free perfume just purchased in Dubai.
Bag rescanned and then rescanned and then rescanned yet a 4th time. Over tired lone traveller had lost all manners by this stage and once the F word was used on foreign Aussie on power trip I was quickly warned security was to be called and I would not be allowed in to Aussie. Hello did I even want to be ……I just wana be on plane to NZ. When power hungry man starts pulling all my luggage out I did enquire if he too was going to show my dirty knickers to all fellow travellers. Very agitated man by now didn’t manage to find any smuggled drugs or food from this old Nana but OMG he did manage to finally find a small pair of rusty, broken nail scissors tucked under toiletries. Well that sure made his day. Demanded my boarding pass, and then in louder voice demanded my real boarding pass which he was already holding in his hot hand, demanded Passport and promptly took both off to photocopy and lodge a big black mark by name for future arrival into Australia. Security not called and finally after pointing fingers very close to my face space he calmed down and let me enter Australia for 1 hour where I once again lined in much bigger queue with 580 others waiting to board final flight back to NZ. Felt as if I should be on “Border Control” but lucky not filming in Aussie as when I did arrive back to friendly NZ the best country in the world I was met by large signs apologizing for delays but Border Control was filming. Lucky!!! I didn’t wana be famous.
After a wonderful, action packed 21 days, home to unpack, unwind and back to the real world. Now when is that next holiday?????
By Pamela Cootes
Woke after 9 hours sleep, threw clothes into suitcase and off to final breakie, still can’t do big breakie. Managed to discretely acquire lunch, cheese and biscuits and yoghurt, sure fellow travellers do not behave like this but saves us a 1st meal in Amsterdam.
Boat departure very orderly, strolled to railway station to see “Park Plaza” right in front of us, talk about easy to locate. Wow, very nice 4 star hotel with excellent service, huge room on old side but we very happy with our great deal home for next 5 nights. Travel Angel looking down on us, 1st day of sunshine all year and everyone out enjoying Sunday. Managed early check in (very, very lucky) quick cuppa tea, got our bearings and off to explore the famous Amsterdam.
Red Bus Hop on Hop Off 17 Euro departed just round the corner from our hotel, easy to find all the must see tourist sights. So much easier travelling in countries where English is spoken.
Jewish Museum left me thinking once again how and why does one race get treated so harshly for so long and now do the same to Palestine’s, need to go home and do more refresher study. I know so little it seems.
Coffee (yea the real stuff) at Hard Rock Café, sitting outside in the sunshine overlooking the canal watching the world and many canal boats cruise by. Felt very VIP as in many tourist photos. Good shopping, must have Tulip Shopping bag and little goodies. Not a lot of money spent yet.
Discovered we very close or are we actually in The Red Light District? Much education at 1st visit to high class sex shop, OMG! OMG! Not even tempted to try or buy. Many local coffee houses and many absolutely stoned people, much happiness in Amsterdam. One could get stoned just passing by.
Home for a cuppa tea, brad and banana, energy levels recharged and off for more adventures. Visit to Anne Frank’s Hause. Wow, Wow, Wow! Walking up those stairs (which did creak) and back into life for Jews in hiding in 1942 something one will not forget. Anne and the record of their life in occupied Holland still draws hundreds or more daily, was worth the wait in long queue. Tragic ending for Anne and so many been sent off to “better places” as the Germans tried to convince all Jews. Fortunately her father managed to survive the camps and published her diaries.
Amsterdam alive, is this really a Sunday night, what is a Friday or Saturday like?
Monday 8th April Day 15
After big sleep, breakfast with much choice at Park Plaza, we definitely will get our money’s worth staying here. Red Bus tour around the city, many places of interest we obviously missed yesterday. Sure is an easy city to find everything of interest.
Walked back streets to Flower Market, so so much to see, fab couple of hours shopping for tulips. Big spend of the holiday 30 silk tulips, biggest decision what colour? $60 NZ now how to get them home! A few more goodies, def not a lot tempting me. Tried much cheese and even green cheese at the Cheese shops, tram back to hotel for late lunch. We so close to everything sure do have Location, Location, Location.
Sure seen some sights, seems so strange coffee shops scattered everywhere, weird and wonderful drug paraphanilla on sale, magic mushrooms and even “Cannabis starter kits at the flower markets for a mere $2.50. Wooden tulips, all shapes and sizes! Back to our lovely Hotel for a cuppa and some lunch then off on next adventure, canal cruise of Amsterdam, great way to see the city, buildings amazing. So many canal cruises full of tourists, where does everyone come from? This certainly is a No 1 destination (oops I lie, it’s No 2 after San Francisco. More tourists with the wheels on their suitcases clattering over the pavements than anywhere I’ve been before. Monday and the city is humming or is it buzzing? 1 hour cruise 15 Euro, quick dinner out Vegetarian with all the trimmings, even buying a meal in a foreign country can be a real mission. Delicious and much healthier than the No 1 fav chips drowned in mayo. Yuk, but the queues lining up at each shop prove they must be delicious. 6 Euro .40 for our 1st big meal out in so long.
7pm Red Light District Walking Tour 10Euro well spent, couldn’t believe so many tourists would wana be peering into windows of near naked women on a Monday night but crowds turned up, luckily our guide an Aussie and he even encouraged us all to pay big money 2 Euro for a “peep” The sista and myself squashed into a tiny little room peeking at woman!!! Mmmm, much laughter and not inspired to donate a 2nd lot of money buy hey “we’ve been and seen” Saw many sights that I’d never seen before, much dope been smoked, much suspect behaviour, much mystery. This old Nana wouldn’t wana be walking those streets without our tour group of 20 guys and a few women. Seems we came from all corners of the world, all to experience or get a glimpse of the seedy sex side of the city.
Back to hotel after 8.30pm exhausted after yet another big day holidaying. Such fun to be had.
Tuesday 9th April Day 16
This is what holidaying all about, sleeping in till 7.30am, watching TV, Aljazeera TV, very interesting, not what one would expect, very westernized, maybe I like many others don’t understand and still have a narrow mind when it comes to other religions, cultures etc.
Leisurely breakie at 9am, def. in holiday mode, managed to once again acquire goodies for lunch, sure helps make the Euro’s stretch further.
24 hour tram pass for 7.5 Euro and off to finally lay my eyes on Van Gogh’s original works of art. Surprised to find hundreds of others already in the long queues also waiting. Mmmm maybe we should have spent more time preplanning and pre purchasing tickets and avoiding these tourist queues. Still was well worth the wait, pleased I’d refreshed my knowledge on Vincent’s strange life and behaviors by reading his autobiography not long ago. Nothing in the world like standing in front of a real “Masterpiece” Much of the artworks sure did not appeal but the Sunflowers definitely up there, finances did not allow the original so just have to make do with my few wee goodies. The sister will enjoy her beautiful Sunflower handbag for years to come.
Back to hotel, lunch and discovery of real shops just 1 street from our hotel. So much to discover and so little time. All the label shops, still nothing to tempt me, past experience tells me it’s not worth the hassle and where would more shopping fit in my suitcase? Burger King for tea, tempted to test the famous No 1 fav chips which crowds happily lineup for, maybe tomorrow. Drowned in mayo sure doesn’t appeal, not exactly a real healthy option.
Watched World News, Gaylene not happy chappy to hear her wee home evacuated as their 65 floor building tower rocking in the aftershock of Iran’s 6.2 earthquake. The joys of modern technology, and all worries sorted within an hour. Out to get some milk at 10pm and see the sights. Checked out trains for future adventures, note to self, so much easier when one can read signs, understand unhelpful service people speaking foreign language and just read English. Oh well us intrepid travelers do love a challenge.
Big mission, late night tram ride, most dangerous activity in Amsterdam has to be “crossing da road” Many, many cyclists zooming past, some ringing their bells warning but none with any intention of slowing down Between the bikes, cars, trams the walker is in continual danger. One would not be tempted to own a car, public transport brilliants and locals happy to ride pre 1950’s bikes, just old clapped out bikes, some more up market or decorated. All bikes just locked up on footpath all nite, obviously not a lot of bike thieves. Quote to Germans from the War “Give us back our bicycles” Obviously best form of transport used here forever.
Much laughter trying to get on a tram and more confusion trying to get off once inside, is travel as confusing to “foreigners” in our wee country I wonder. Just gotta know what door to use, what button to push, what side to scan card, luckily lots of friendly, helpful locals to old Nana’s. Home with fresh milk for cuppa tea and bed by 11pm.
Looks as if NZ dollar improving, just my luck when I’ve pre-paid for Euros’ oh well the joys of travel.
Wednesday 10th April Day 17
Another leisurely breakie, finally notice many fellow tourists take extras for later, today is bacon roll and bun for me as off on yet another big adventure.
After much discussion and try to interpret signs in foreign language (the local language) finally found a bus and for 10 Euro we head off without map or much knowledge to explore the real Netherlands.
Arrived before busloads of tourists and enjoyed the beautiful seaside village of Volendam, could smell the sea and the fresh fish. Many wee shops and stalls selling very fresh fish and other goodies. Biggest decision where to shop for our “fish treat” Definitely felt close to the North Pole, looking out to sea, very bleak, grey and progressively icy cold as the day wore on. Have worn $2 NZ beanie, gloves and scarf daily, most of the day and night, dressing for warmth not glamour this trip. Intrepid travelers doing very well wearing same clothes over and over, could have left a few more clothes at home, same clothes, different day every photo.
Tried local fish in a bun, not as good as what I get at home but fresh as. Had hot chocolate and final slice of apple cake, then bus to Edam. MMM remind us why we wanted to go there? Walked miles, questioning our sanity when travel angel guided us to Edam village markets and the yummiest hot, hot chocolate of holiday delicious and only 2 Euros. Strolled down many streets, lanes, back alleys, exploring many quaint wee shops chatting to many friendly locals and finally found bus back to Amsterdam with fresh specialty cakes to enjoy for supper but no Edam Cheese.
Love our Park Plaza Hotel with Location, location, location, can easily call back, hot cuppa or soup and nibbles and we off again, no precious hours wasted getting back to hotel.
Real travelers hanging out in very busy bar for a coffee and beer before our adventure of the day. 4 Euro for an hour of shock!!! At the Sex Museum, OMG not a lot one could say, but much laughter, crowds lured into the same seedy culture as us, information overload. Checked out recommended Coffee Shop but didn’t appeal, how old would we look just sitting, staring. Real Nana behavior. Passport required for entry, tourists allowed? ounces only, no heavy drugs, no dealers, many rules but many, many people spending much time, major must do on most tourists to do list: Get Wasted in Amsterdam.
Amazing array of drug goodies on sale every 2nd shop, chocolate, cookers, coffee, or tea, lollipops, lollies, seeds to do whatever with, magic mushrooms, the list endless and then shops packed with rows of drug related goodies. Still we didn’t see the result of much excess, see way more NZ Friday night.
Soup and rolls for late tea, bed by 10pm, ready for last big day of holidays. Tulips may you be flowering tomorrow……..
Thursday 11th April Day 18
Woke to the sound of raindrops, why wouldn’t it finally be raining when one is finally going for a leisurely stroll in acres and acres of gardens? Def. no heat wave during the night so head off to Keukenhoff Gardens in the same warm clothes we have worn for entire Amsterdam holiday. Reminder to self: take less clothes on future adventures.
Why are so many people visiting Tulips on freezing cold, rainy day? Tour bus full and for 40 Euro, sure da easiest way to travel, no standing freezing waiting for a bus or train for us wealthy tourists today. Much money must be paid to entrance gatekeepers at Keukenhoff during the spring, tourist operators sure on to a good thing. Very difficult for us intrepid travelers to find our own way from Amsterdam, no locals seem keen to depart with any info.
Mmmm tulip leaves sprouting through the muddy grounds, but a long way till flowering, still it doesn’t matter, we are here, yes finally. Maybe not a lot of tulips but gardens with masses color from crocus, daffodils, and many other early spring bulbs. After taking numerous photos on both IPhone 4S and new camera we enter the warmth of a pavilion, OMG flowers everywhere. Don’t need tulips outside when inside is a never ending display of the most amazing tulips, how can there be so many colors, shapes, sizes, leaves etc. More photos, many more, along with hundreds of other tulip fans all trying to capture the perfect photos, what am I going to do with all these flower photos? Enjoy and remember the day.
Also fabulous displays of every spring bulb and shrub, just so like living back in Fairlie, like stepping back into Grandma’s garden, travel ½ way round the world to have childhood memories’ come flooding back.
Finally found a decent display of early tulips outside, which is the closest one gets to tip toeing thru the tulips. Hot chocolate to thaw the body and avoid the blood freezing, body rested and warmed slightly and off on more garden strolling. Time flies when having fun and 2.30pm departure in no time. Purchased must have tulip apron to match my must have tulip shopping bag. It’s the must have 30 silk tulips that will be big worry tomorrow, how to get them home safely. Experience has taught me don’t buy glass, china, breakables but I have not previously attempted flowers. Will I ever learn? Still my silk tulips will be enjoyed for many days to come. No idea what my favorite tulip is, so many, big decisions.
Arrived back to Park Plaza Hotel at 3pm, where it is all happening, many more visitors today, streets crowded with yet more tourists arriving (with bags clattering behind them) for a wild weekend or a few days fun in Sin City. Pleased we have room in very nice hotel not like the many hotels down suspect, seedy, side streets, up many stairs, not this Nana’s kind of holidaying now.
Final walk round the bustling streets, so much to see, shame it is so ice cold. Decided on 2nd visit to vegetarian for dinner, got it all sorted now for under 5Euro, know not to order the extras as fillings are unlimited, how do they make a profit? Obviously repeat business with such great deals.
Walk round Coffee Shops and Red Light area for one, last time, should we? Shouldn’t we? Go experience real live Amsterdam famous Coffee Shops. Hate the smell of dope so can’t see the point of sitting in a bar full of people smoking just for the “legal experience” Sure I’ve experienced that ample times without choice. So shock, horror we probably the only 2 Nana’s to travel ½ way round the world to Amsterdam and not experience “Coffee Shops” seems crazy, me who loves coffee so much but know to get a real coffee one needs a “cafe”,
Home to hotel to do final packing and enjoy sister time for the last night of our awesome holiday.
Friday 12th April Day 19
Woke to yet another icy, cold wet day in Amsterdam, so much for the promised spring weather of 20 degrees, they dreaming. Oh well suppose we very lucky we did experience 1 warm spring day.
What has happened? My bag all packed and there is still room for more, lots more as Emirates airline limit is 30kg, seems the professional traveler / shopper than I am each trip equals less weight.
Train to airport, dragging bags through train carriages is 1 reason not to have heavy bags, after much struggling through carriages, clambering over fellow travelers and their bags, we finally located seats, slight problem 1st class. (Apparently) looked identical carriages, seats etc. only difference no one sitting in them. Fortunately wee man never came and checked our tickets so arrived at Amsterdam airport without too much hassle and stress. 1 hour before check in open, what to do? Shop or be 1st in the queue. As soon as we made the line a queue of like-minded travelers appeared behind us in no time, lucky we decided to wait as much time wasted just waiting and waiting in queues. Travelling sure can be stressful, especially the airport part of it. All those official people, put some in uniform and power goes to their head. Still I can’t be upsetting officialdom as it may result in back of queue, another queue or worse still put aside. Especially in foreign countries little old Nana from NZ does not need any grief, and there certainly many queues lining up before one gets anywhere near ones actual Emirate A380 Airbus (plane)
6 hour flight to Dubai over in no time, 2 great movies and another delicious Emirate meal and time for quick sista farewells before I shuttled off to Copthorne Hotel for a few hours rest and relaxation. Arrived and checked in by 1am (local time) while Gaylene not see her bed till well after 4am in Abu Dhabi.
On arrival hotel looking very familiar as this ‘jet setter’ has stayed a few times on previous travels. Very basic, cheap as (free) room, no hairdryer, no plugs, oh well, hot shower, clean comfy bed. Sleep, ha-ha, no way.
Saturday 13th April Day 20
Wake up call at 6am, but didn’t really need that as one had barely shut eyes let alone slept. Bedlam in over crowded restaurant, made a nice cuppa tea, went to get toast etc. and returned to a very cheeky man obviously enjoying my cuppa. He just looked at me…….drank my cuppa tea and left, maybe he was waiting for me to deliver his breakfast also. The cheek of some people, sure that wouldn’t happen in little old NZ. Ugly cheap breakie, too excited to eat anyway. Sure not up to the standard of Emirate flights meals that I am now accustomed.
Shuttle bus back to bustling Dubai airport at 8am and then back to yet more queues and checking in, bag inspections and doing it all over again. No scanning of the eyes like on arrival last night or the major x-ray body inspection, photo, shoes etc. before departing Amsterdam now that was a real check, easy to get into not such an easy city to get out of.
Last minute visit to da loo, why is piddling so stressful? One has choice of 2 loos, a real one or the wee thing in the floor! Hence a queue yet again for the real one. Once again loo won’t flush, stress, all these sensor hi tech loos’ that do not flush until your departure. One day I will write a book on my “wee experiences” I sure have had many stress, shocking and hilarious experiences during my years of foreign travel. Weeing sure is not the same world-wide.
Sunday 14th April Day 21
Arrived back in Auckland after long, long flight with the most stressful stopover in Sydney. Why we all had to exit plane and line up yet again to get checked into Aussie to then line up and depart one hour later. …….doesn‘t make sense. All over tired peoples travelling onto NZ on 20 hour flight to have to be subjected to foreign Aussie with power. My beautiful Tulip carry bag scanned and then put aside. Very rude man very rude when I politely enquired what is wrong with my bag? After rudely ignoring my question finally my bag is opened and my nearly full bottles of hair shampoo and conditioner taken and binned, I mean how I dare exceed 100ml limit for liquid. I explained he best not even think about taking my duty free perfume just purchased in Dubai.
Bag rescanned and then rescanned and then rescanned yet a 4th time. Over tired lone traveller had lost all manners by this stage and once the F word was used on foreign Aussie on power trip I was quickly warned security was to be called and I would not be allowed in to Aussie. Hello did I even want to be ……I just wana be on plane to NZ. When power hungry man starts pulling all my luggage out I did enquire if he too was going to show my dirty knickers to all fellow travellers. Very agitated man by now didn’t manage to find any smuggled drugs or food from this old Nana but OMG he did manage to finally find a small pair of rusty, broken nail scissors tucked under toiletries. Well that sure made his day. Demanded my boarding pass, and then in louder voice demanded my real boarding pass which he was already holding in his hot hand, demanded Passport and promptly took both off to photocopy and lodge a big black mark by name for future arrival into Australia. Security not called and finally after pointing fingers very close to my face space he calmed down and let me enter Australia for 1 hour where I once again lined in much bigger queue with 580 others waiting to board final flight back to NZ. Felt as if I should be on “Border Control” but lucky not filming in Aussie as when I did arrive back to friendly NZ the best country in the world I was met by large signs apologizing for delays but Border Control was filming. Lucky!!! I didn’t wana be famous.
After a wonderful, action packed 21 days, home to unpack, unwind and back to the real world. Now when is that next holiday?????
By Pamela Cootes
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