Thursday, 12 April 2012

Holland: Amsterdam; Belgium: Brugge, Brussels, and a glimpse at Germany: Weimar, Leipzig

                                  Getting on the Stenaline boat from Harwich to Holland (six hour journey)
                                    Dad on our first train in Holland, on our way to Amsterdam
                                                              In Amsterdam, kinda cold
                                                         Canal at night in Amsterdam
                     Eating a Belgium waffle in Brugge (got pretty messy but way to delicious to care)
                                                     Mom kissing the Frog in Brugge
                                                           Dad on a bridge in Brugge
          Huge chocolate egg in Brussels, there is a chick that looks just like the ones my
            Nana draws (I'm pointing to the chick)
                                                              Grand Palace in Brussels
                                                  Me jumping, mom failing to jump on time
                                                      Mom and dad in Weimar, Germany
                                               Quaint street in Weimar, gorgeous town in general
                                                               Main street, Leipzig
                                             Mom and Dad in our hostel room in Leipzig

Day one of our European adventure we were up at the break of dawn to catch a Stena line ferry from harwich to Hoek van Holland. The ferry came loaded with a movie theatre and all however falling asleep made us miss the movie. Once on the other side of the north sea (which took six hours) we were off to find wild times in Amsterdam but instead ended up in bed earlier then expected. Clearly Amsterdam was not our cup of tea and we took it as a sign to move on early in the morning. Next stop (day two) was Brugge, Belgium, and we were ready to get dipped in chocolate. Brugge was incredibly cute despite the consistent down pour but a little rain never hurt anyone. Some of our Brugge adventures included very messy waffles and kissing a frog, although I'm still sans prince so that was a waist of time. Although we loved Brugge we were headed to Brussels for the night. We arrived earlier then expected so set off to tour the town before dark. We missed shopping by a sliver as everything was closing when we arrived (much to dads delight and mine and moms disappointment), so we entertained ourselves by taking jumping photos outside of the Grand Palace and hunting down the peeing boy fountain. Brussels being a major city was exceptionally clean and had its hidden beauties which of course we found.  As true travelers we work up an appetite so we headed to Rue des Bouchers to bargain with the locals to get the best deal possible on a meal.  We settled for l'Arlequin where we were offered free drinks with our twelve euro three course meal, not too shabby (and the food was to die for). Day three we took advantage of our free breakfast because we had a long day by train ahead of us to get to our next destination in Germany. Three transfers, one bullet train and lots of Belgium chocolate eaten we made it to Weimar for a hop skip and a jump around town. Mom and Dad, although breathless, kept up throughout our high speed journey around town and before we knew it we were back on the train headed to our final destination of the day, Leipzig.  Leipzig is bigger then expected and while all the stores are closed again it appears it would be the perfect place to shop! We had dinner at a quaint little restaurant with not so quaint waiters but the food was good and we always get something out of it.  Thus far we have been fortunate enough to have found hostels with private rooms and ensuites but tonight is officially a true hostel night and the first time mom and dad have had to use a communal bathroom which they are handling rather well. Our room is especially great as it looks like the inside of a volcano with bright orange and yellow walls and cool little turtle stencils in random places, very hip. Lights out though so we can get to Dresden nice and early ( ten bucks says we don't leave til nine), we'll soon find out.

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