Days 24-25, 18 & 19 April Rotterdam to Amsterdam

Day 24-

Woke to a lovely clear, warm day. up at 6am again and on the road to Rotterdam, which is a really pleasing town architecturally. We had only a short time in the square there but it has these freaky "Cube" houses and across from that is a HUGE market. The paintings on the walls are pretty amazing, not to mention the massive array of foods and flowers. I have never seen for example, so many olives in one place - not even Melbournes Queen Vic markets!

Just a short break then out again for dinner in a historic dutch house, which is 500 years old. We had a great evening with us and the two american couples, Connie & Tony and John & Diane - the included alcohol was rather nice too!












Day 25-
Up at 6 again! and out early to Keukenhof flower show which is only open for 6 weeks a year and we happened to be there on the most recommended weekend- and in perfect weather! Nathalie our tour director got us there so early as people come from all over the world for it and there were major, major queues kms long yesterday. We got there and had the pleasure of photographing many of the incredible flower beds before the crowds arrived. We heard, Dutch, Italian, French, English and trillions of Asian accents. They were manically all taking photos of everything! A really lovely place to visit even if you arent into flowers- it is mind boggling and is good for the heart. The colours and smells were so lovely.

After this we travelled back to the hotel for 15mins! then out again- this time to travel to Volendam which is a meca tourist canal side town, where there used to be sea but now it is a huge lake and canals. Nathalie treated us to dutch mini pancakes, sprinkled with icing sugar and a creamy butter. They are crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside- delicious. We went to a pub overlooking the water and had a beer and sandwich then wandered around till 2.15pm.

Back on the bus and straight to a cheese and clog making place which had a really dynamic show where the cute and strong young guy hand carved a clog for us out of poplar. Really interesting.

Next it was back to Amsterdam for a walking tour with a local guide and then to the Anne Frank house. At 5pm when we arrived the queues were still along the road and round the next corner - apparently its fully booked until October already as the interest has really increased in the previous decade. We luckily got to walk straight in as the tour group were pre-booked, it was a really sombre experience being able to climb the stairs that were like a steep ladder, in past the bookcase which hid the hiding place for the 8 of them who were there for years with blackout curtains pulled and sitting quietly during the day so none of the factory workers downstair heard them- including not flushing the toilet. Treading the same stairs as the Germans who came to take them to the concentration camps was an odd feeling and seeing Annes actual handwritten diaries on display. They had videos running as well as tours of the house - glad we went even though it was a really long day. Always make you appreciate just how good we have it now. Of course Anne, her sister and mother all perished in the camps with only Otto Frank surviving.

Back to the hotel and we needed to get our own dinner. The hotel is 5 star and lovely as we are on the 15th floor overlooking the canal, but not somewhere we all wanted to eat in our tired states- so we wandered down the road a ways and found an italian authentic restaurant which served the best calzone and pasta (and beer and wine!) About 1 dozen from our group wandered in too even though it was further than some of the other posh restaurants! Great meal - back to wash my hair for the first time in a week?!@#!! and catch up on this blog. Quite a day - and another long one tomorrow, starting a 6am for the Aalsmeer massive flower auctions amongst other sights and the farewell dinner. Pity this is coming to an end as the group is small, lovely people, great tour director and driver and a great route on the tour. But Istanbul and Gallipoli awaits!