Girls Trip 2024 to the Netherlands: Amazing Moments

On December 31, 2024 By Travels with MelindaIn Amsterdam, Girls Trip, Netherlands, The Hague, Travel, travel essentials, travel hacks, Travel medical care, travel tips, travelling, vacationLeave a comment

Travelling is always magical, so to end 2024, I’m celebrating by sharing the details of my fall trip to the Netherlands. Then, it’s on to 2025 and new adventures exploring the world! On my recent Girls Trip, we enjoyed a string of moments I hope I never forget. They were special and unique to our Netherlands adventure. Girls trips are important to me for many reasons. It’s quality time with my sisters who live far away. Though we have done video chats weekly since the pandemic, the fun of exploring new places and having great adventures together is precious to me.

While we did have an itinerary and had discussed in general what we wanted to see and do on our Netherlands trip in September, we remained flexible and pivoted based on how we were feeling each day and the weather. Sure delays happen and other issues can crop up but if you take these bumps in stride, take a deep breath and enjoy the journey, then the travel magic will unfold. One special day, we jumped on a tram in Den Haag aka The Hague going in the wrong direction, so we enjoyed seeing Delft a day early and then got on the tram going in the “right” direction to walk the beach at the North Sea. It all worked out and was a lovely day. Go with the flow! As Patti and I wandered around The Hague, we tried out new names for a girls trip blog. This was the winner: Ladies Who Get Lost (but have fun).

We enjoyed a wide variety of global cuisines in this expat friendly city where many international folks work at the nearby Peace Palace (take a tour here, either in the building or in the garden-both are special and only available at certain times of the year) and International Peace Court. One rainy night we looked out our hotel room window and saw the lights shining bright at a Filipino restaurant so out we went. Entering the festive place, the host informed us that a private party had taken over most of the restaurant for a buffet and karaoke night but, if we didn’t mind, we could still be seated and eat. Party on! We had a blast listening to all the singers take turns, though we declined when invited to join in, preferring to be the audience vs. the talent. This is an evening I won’t soon forget and it would have been so easy to go somewhere a little quieter but we had a blast. We also had great Italian close by our hotel and an amazing Chinese dinner in the largest Chinatown in the Netherlands.

My favorite liquids in the Hague varied from locally brewed liquors to the fresh mint infused tea served almost everywhere. At the Van Cleef distillery in business since 1842, we ordered one liquor tasting with multiple shots and, after quickly tasting that one, we ordered another. Heaven on our palates! From apple pie to salted caramel and raspberry and cherry infused liquors, we were sad to hear that they didn’t ship to the US. So we bought a few bottles, got some plastic travel bottles from the dept. store Primark to put the liquor in vs. the glass bottles they came in, and safely transported our liquor home to enjoy! I love that Patti kept her liquor in the spritz container and gave herself a quick spray into her mouth when she needed a shot.

Our other favorite liquid beverage on our trip was their very special mint tea. Imagine our surprise when we ordered mint tea only to have actual huge mint leaves come in the hot water. It was really a herbal infusion, like drinking a mint garden in your mouth. This wasn’t just a house specialty-it was available almost everywhere we went. Back in the US, I have never seen it done like this-probably too many rules about randomly serving fresh leaves. Does every café have a mint garden out back or on the roof? Fresh mint delivered daily? I would travel there again just to have this specialty. Oh, and I’d probably grab some of that booze too while I was there and take it back.

Having passed by a crystal spiritual store, Ananda Spiritual Living, on one of our jaunts, Patti and I went back to shop for some souvenirs. They had a huge variety of crystals and all things spiritual. Their tarot reader was available (only $15 each-very reasonable!) so we each took a turn to see what the cards would tell us. Mine was spot on, affirming all the changes that would soon be happening in our lives as our whole generational family moves from Boise to Baltimore in January. Whether you believe in Tarot or not, it was a unique experience and isn’t that what travel is all about? Do what you wouldn’t normally do back at home!

Having heard about the Hague forest on our walking tour, we decided to strike out and try to find it one morning. After a quick smudge on a park bench for my new crystal gifted to me by Patti, I looked up and saw a herd of deer in the close distance. WTH! Right across from the train station in Den Hague is a deer preserve where a large herd roams and the bucks bellow. We watched as they were fed by the park employees and saw the bucks try to assert dominance with a few well placed head butts. Oh fellas, chill out!

The main place to explore art in The Hague is the Mauritshuis Museum: https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/, where the famous Girl with the Pearl earring painting by Vermeer is their centerpiece. This museum is centrally located in The Hague and after visiting, you can stroll the wide path by the moat with the island. It’s a truly lovely museum with cozy rooms to view the art.

About those “bumps in the road” that can happen when you travel, we ended up in the Hague Emergency Room at the local hospital one night. Patti had gotten an infection in a cut on her finger and it was looking like it needed medical attention. Here is my advice if this happens to you when you are travelling. If at a hotel, go to your front desk and get their recommendation on closest pharmacy, doctor, hospital, etc. depending on what you need. There might even be possibility of doctor visiting you at hotel if your medical condition warrants it or calling an ambulance. We thought we might be able to get medicine at a pharmacy to help her. Many European pharmacists are able to talk to customers and prescribe medications without a doctor’s order. So off we went to the nearest pharmacy open in the evening which happened to be at a hospital. The pharmacist took one look at Patti’s wound and said we should go to ER and doctor would have to look at it and prescribe an antibiotic. So off we went! $300 and a few hours later, we just barely made it to the pharmacy to get our required drugs to take care of Patti before they closed. Quite an adventure! Make sure you travel with a list of any medications you are taking and any medical conditions (like high blood pressure) that might affect what a doctor might prescribe.

Once we left the Hague and went to Amsterdam, we had a more structured schedule-so many museums, canals, etc. to see! Our hotel, the Apollo Marriott, was right on a major intersection of canals and our room had a corner window eye level with the water. Lovely! While a bit out of the downtown core, it was a quick tram to all the sights. One highlight for us was going to a historic church for an art installation featuring Van Gogh and Rembrandt art projected onto the walls and ceilings while we lay on a big bean bag on the floor and took it all in. So. Groovy. We were probably the only ones attending who weren’t high but it was still mind blowing and I will never forgot the experience. Seek out these type of events when you travel-you won’t regret it!

Needing some immersion in nature, we sought out the big urban Vondelpark. With wide paths winding through the park and lots of forest and lake space, we enjoyed the beautiful day. We had a wildlife encounter with an array of different birds including a green parakeet flying around. We finally took a seat, took off our shoes and socks and felt the grass ourselves while the guys next to us enjoyed their cigar size joint blowing our way. Meditating and taking in the “fresh” air, we got our chakras aligned and well. We also got in touch with all the water that is everywhere in the Netherlands with canal tours and a trip to the Windmill Village, Zaanse Schans. We booked a tour to visit this scenic place through Viator and it included the bus trip (about an hour each way) plus a visit to a clog-making workshop and cheese farm. Once we got to the windmills, we got to go inside, climb up to the top and hear all about the history of the windmills. Well worth a half day visit if you have time.

Of course, when in Amsterdam, trips to museums are warranted as some of the best in the world are there. Get tickets in advance online for all visits. Start at the Van Gogh Museum to admire masterpieces by Van Gogh, The Museum about Vincent van Gogh in Amsterdam – Van Gogh Museum. Visit the Rijks museum and see iconic Dutch art, including Rembrandt’s works, https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en. Of course, you need to tour the historic Anne Frank House while in Amsterdam and learn about her life during WWII. Book your tickets the minute they become available for the date you want-this is a “must see” for all tourists and they sell out fast: Home | Anne Frank House.

Our last night of the trip warranted a fancy place for dinner so off we went to The Siren for good food, cocktails and great photos of the amazing interior featuring “the siren” the place is named after. Make reservations at: Home – The Siren and treat yourself to a night out in Amsterdam. Enjoy the journey!

Eating in Amsterdam

On September 27, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Amsterdam, Europe, expat, Food, Travel, Uncategorized, vacation, walking3 Comments

I am probably not the best authority to write about the cuisine in Amsterdam but I will give it a shot. Thom and I have very simple tastes and are very happy eating a picnic on the train and don’t frequent fine dining establishments. Foodies we are not! As I think back on the best food I ate on our trip, the cheese with basil and dried tomato stands out as does the hot, buttery sugary poffertjes and waffles from the markets. Yum! I do like my dairy and sweets.

Poffertjes-little pancakes with butter and sugar!

That being said, if you have finer taste buds (and most do) there is a wide variety of restaurants for everyone’s taste in all the places we visited. As always, ask your concierge at the hotel for recommendations on their favorites. Here are some other observations:

Coffee–Screaming Bean (in several locations) delivers the best cappuccino in Amsterdam and maybe the world. Thick and creamy foam tops a rich smooth coffee underneath. Super friendly folks serving in a quaint coffee shop make it a must try when you are here. Many thanks to my friend, Kurt, for recommending to us.

Screaming Bean cappuccino... so rich and delicious! — Screaming Bean cappuccino… so rich and delicious!

Grocery–There aren’t many groceries and practically no competition in the city but Albert Haijn does have whatever you need for a first-rate picnic for the park or train or hotel room. Also a good place to buy chocolate for the perfect souvenir to take home. We got some awesome salads to go one night for a quick, cheap diner (under $10 euros for 2 people). I also saw some Aldi Food markets but didn’t go in to check them out. I also found a smaller Mqkt chain that had a cheese to die for–basil and dried tomato–that pared well with salami and pears and raisin bread. Perfect picnic!

We didn’t eat out many times but did stop at one German restaurant that promised authentic cuisine. Thom proceeded to have weinerschneitzel and fries. Initially, he said he didn’t want ketchup or mayo but decided he needed some mayo. Now, based on the waiter’s prior attitude and the steep stairs he had to climb to get to the kitchen on the floor above, I knew this would not go over well and it didn’t. “You said you didn’t want any!” the waiter growled at Thom. “Yes, but I changed my mind. Okay?” Grudgingly, ten minutes later Thom finally got his mayo and felt compelled to eat it fearing retribution from the waiter if he did not. Were we in Paris???

Pancakes with brandy-soaked raisins paired with red wine!

I got the brandy-soaked raisin pancake that filled a plate and paired nicely with a Merlot. Yep-when in the Netherlands, drink with your breakfast-type food. Every bite was enjoyed. No butter or syrup was offered and I was afraid to ask the testy waiter. They are tight with the butter here. At our great breakfast at the Andaz, when you ask for toast, you get barely warm bread, no butter. Today, I asked specifically for “crispy” bacon and got the limpest fatty slice of meat you would ever want to see. Really???? Crispy means fry that sucker! Same with eggs, unfortunately. I remember also having this issue in China and having to keep asking for “hard scramble” several times to get barely done eggs. Oh well-first world, five star hotel issues I guess.

We don’t go for fancy restaurants but we walked by many in Amsterdam including one, MoMo in the area near the museums. Swanky! There are many white-table cloth type places as well as many beer halls with outside seating and lounge seats and heaters for the cool nights-even blankets at some places. You can find all types of ethnic food easily too. Lots of Argentine steak houses along side the pancake houses. We even found a place today, Bagels & Beans, that is a chain around town and has great bagels served with the largest pile of cream cheese that you could ever eat.

So, whatever you like to eat, you can probably find it in Amsterdam. Happy eating!

Uniquely Amsterdam

On September 27, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Europe, expat, Travel, Uncategorized, vacation2 Comments

Uniquely Amsterdam:

*buildings lean and tilt at odd angles-not sure if the insides are as lopsided but the outsides sure are crazy

*with fries, you can get either ketchup or mayo–your choice but they may charge you .50 euros for the condiments FYI

*taxi’s are surprisingly upscale as many are Mercedes and even saw a Tesla–expensive rides for a taxi

*don’t expect street signs in English-there aren’t any. Pull out your map provided by your hotel and figure it out–nice locals will stop and ask if you need help. Say YES!

*you get menu’s for your weed selection in the cafes all over Amsterdam..coffee shop is code name usually for pot café served with a side of caffeine too

*people are impossibly thin and healthy and gorgeous–what they must think of us when they visit the US where we don’t live this healthy lifestyle and more food is considered better

*no need for gyms here with all the biking and walking–saw very few gyms

*no helmets on the bikers, even the kids, which is counter to all safety precautions in the US

*Thom and I are amazed that there aren’t bodies littering the streets with no stop signals and bikes/scooters/walkers/cars/trams going every which way but somehow it all works

*just like Vietnam, life is enjoyed on the sidewalks but in Hanoi locals are sitting on plastic stools eating phao and here they are reclining in wicker cushy chairs enjoying Heineken with friends under heat lamps

*not alot of public bathrooms so just like China, there are men pissing in the streets-day and night. In the train stations, you can find public bathrooms but have your .50 euro coin ready because you have to pay attendant to get in to use. If you are out and about, you can also usually just walk into any nice hotel and act like you belong and use their lobby facilities

*work days start at 10 a.m. with lunch and then off by 5 p.m. to enjoy happy hour–quite the life style but don’t expect to get a cappuccino before 8 a.m. when the cafés open up vs. Starbucks back in Seattle that open at 5:30 a.m. to provide caffeine for commuters

*people like to display their little collections on the ledges in their street level apartments–we saw Pez collections, photos, etc. Cool glimpse into their lives that they share.

*no big tacky mega stores like Target or WalMart–lots of little groceries, boutiques but not a lot of international brands-no Gaps, etc. that I saw

*bookstores everywhere and vinyl/cd stores–peeking into apartments, we saw lots of floor to ceiling bookcases just filled with books… my kind of place

*in the US you see folks at cafés on their devices but here everyone is just drinking and actually interacting with other human beings vs. their devices… very refreshing

*love the practice of getting a little ginger cookie with every cup of coffee-yum!

All in all, the European lifestyle is one of enjoying life to the fullest with families and friends, whether with food, music, art, literature, architecture, wine or beer. I think they have their “priorities in order” as Hermione famously told Ron in Harry Potter. 🙂

North Sea beauty! — Good Bye Netherlands!

Enjoying Vondelpark in Amsterdam

On September 26, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Parks, Travel, vacation, walkingLeave a comment

The sun was shining so off we went to the park to enjoy life as the locals do on our last full day here in Amsterdam. Damn, they’re healthy here! Not only do the folks who live here bike/walk everywhere but on the weekends they take to the park to do yoga outside, bootcamp, jog, walk their dogs and enjoy the great outdoors.

In Vondelpark, we saw it all but especially laughed when the pregnant ladies lined up around the tree bench we were sitting on and proceeded to do push ups as part of the Moms in Balance group exercise. One old guy rode by on his bike and said something off color-it was in Danish but you could just tell he was being bad and the ladies just laughed!!

Thom stalked a couple with their Vizsla out playing ball. This dog was young and much better behaved than our Izaak-he stayed with them even off leash. Izaak would have been a menace to all the joggers/bikers filling the park lanes. I miss my puppies!

After we experienced the lakes and trees, we cut back into the city, promptly got a bit lost but, as usual, ended up just where we wanted to be six miles later. We love open air markets and this one on Albert Cuypstraat was a huge one filled with fruits/vegs, cheese, clothes, and anything you could want. We ended up buying an extra carry on bag for all our stuff we bought and Thom promptly found a vinyl store and bought 3 albums that he couldn’t have gotten in the US. More music!

I had been told that poffertjes were everywhere over here but I was having a hard time finding the little pancakes covered in butter and powdered sugar. EURECKA-they were in the market and hot off the press. Thom and I gorged on a large order loving every sinful bite. Hey, we’re walking 10 miles a day so bring on the sweets!

Now, we are off to the Foam, which is a photography museum. More walking and fun on our last day in Amsterdam!

Getting Around Amsterdam

On September 26, 2015September 26, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Amsterdam, expat, Travel, vacation, walking2 Comments

Yesterday we walked 11 miles-the Fitbit doesn’t lie! Really-that’s our idea of fun! Now, if you aren’t walkers like us, you can get around Amsterdam in so many other ways-bike, scooter, car, boat, tram or train-and still have a great time seeing all the sights.

Cruise boats are limited to 4 mph on the canals

Of course, these other modes of transportation may set you back a few Euros but all are easy to find in town. Everyone rides bikes in Amsterdam-way more bikes here than in China even. Our lovely Hotel Andaz offered free bikes for use but my frozen shoulder would probably react poorly to bumping up and down on the quaint cobblestone streets so we chose not to try. I love watching whole families commute to school/work on their bikes. Carts in front of the bikes allow for 2-3 kids to pop in while Mom or Dad peddles their hearts out. Our pollution and global warming (and health) issues would be greatly reduced if every county embraced biking like they do here.

Next up the transportation chain is the scooter-very popular and driven fast so watch out when you’re walking. There aren’t really rules here other than walk fast and keep swiveling your head when trying to cross bike paths and roads so you don’t get hit by a biker, scooter or tram. They might try to stop for you but don’t chance it. The trams run on all major streets and cost $7 E for 24 hours or $1.6 E for one hour of riding. You buy tickets at machines but our credit cards didn’t work so we had to use cash to buy them. On the trams, you tap to get on and off but it’s the honor system and many didn’t even use cards.

When you take a train, the conductor will come through and check your cards so no honor system there. We travelled to The Hague and to Bruges by train-very easy and inexpensive way to travel and see Europe. Pack a picnic from simple fare like cheese/sausage/bread/fruit from the local grocery and enjoy the scenery as you speed through the countryside. If we hadn’t taken the train, we would have never seen a windmill or experienced another way of life other than the urban scene in Amsterdam.

Boats are obviously popular here with canals in all the cities we were in. The average citizen may have just a motorboat to get around but there are lovely cruise ships for the tourists-about $15 E for a ride in the glass topped long and low boats. There are truly lovely houseboats where people live on many of the canals as well. Our new dream is to come over here for an extended stay in one of these houseboats. How fun would that be???

Coolest car in Amsterdam-oh the tales it could tell

Do people have cars here? Yes, and are they ever teeny tiny! Parking is very limited along the canals and I’m sure many a car trying to parallel park beside one has missed and gone swimming. I’m terrible at parking so no way was I going to even try although they do have Car2Go here in abundance. No, I’ll keep on walking and enjoying the journey.

Lovely canals provide popular way to travel here

Horse drawn carriage is the popular choice in Bruges

Scooter or mini car? Both have about the same room.

Amsterdam Shopping-Boutiques and Books and Vinyl, oh my!

On September 25, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Amsterdam, bookstores, Europe, Shopping, Travel, vacation, VinylLeave a comment

Amsterdam is filled with quaint specialty boutiques in all the alleys and cobblestone streets…a shoppers paradise! We love to wander in and out and soak up the quirkiness of it all. So different from the grand, oversized stores in the US, these teeny tiny storefronts are hardly over 100-200 sq. feet–a closet really-but a closet filled with very specialized and focused wares to tempt and delight shoppers. From bead shops to teeth shops to bow ties, they have it all for you in Amsterdam.

The “all things teeth” shop featured every kind of toothbrush, floss, etc. you could imagine with a ferris wheel display in the window. How cool is that??? Next door, a gorgeous house cat calmly watched over the huge assortment of bow ties in every color and pattern, all tied up and ready to be worn.

Boutiques specialize-bow ties, of course, with a house cat guarding at the shop.

Toothbrush boutique with a ferris wheel in the window to showcase the goods.

Moving on to the Toms Store, which was slightly larger and featured a coffee bar as well, I saw a few items for my Christmas list and Thom’s. We love their shoes and can feel good buying from them as they give a pair of shoes for every one that is bought. Great story if you haven’t already read the book that the Toms creator has written about his idea to give back and still run a successful retail business. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone did this?

American Bookstore had multiple floors and an author signing going on when we visited

Toms...love them and their retail concept. Give back and provide quality goods. Sold! — Toms…love them and their retail concept. Give back and provide quality goods. Sold!

Along with the many boutiques, I have never seen so many bookstores–little and big ones–some Dutch only and others, like the American Bookstore, featuring English titles. Rarely have I seen such an immense and impressive collection of books other than perhaps the Strand in NYC. Multiple levels with deep stock in each topic, we were lucky enough to happen upon (as we always seem to do) an author event with a writer by the name of Charles Stross, a British writer of science fiction, Lovecraftian (?) horror and fantasy. He was very articulate and funny–hoping he swings by Elliot Bay Books in Seattle soon! Alas, the luggage will not accommodate one more item so no books were bought unfortunately.

Today we visited the vinyl stores in our neighborhood of Jordaan. There are many in Amsterdam-such a variety that a local magazine had a double spread article detailing the music havens where you can buy vinyl, new and used for $3 to $40 euros. Quite the large assortment to pick from at places like Second Life Music across from our hotel and VelvetMusic and InDeep’n’Dance both on Rozengracht. It hurt to watch Thom thumb through the vast crates of music and know he couldn’t buy any to bring home. Oh well-he has quite collection already so he will live. Harsh but true!

Just make sure you leave enough room in your luggage when you come to Amsterdam so that you can buy some cool jazz or soul vinyl or a stack of books to bring back with you. Of course, if you are needing a unique toothbrush or bow tie, that doesn’t take up quite as much room so shop away I say! There is something for everyone here in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s Red Light District

On September 25, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Travel, vacation, walkingLeave a comment

If you want to visit the busiest section of Amsterdam, aim for the Red Light District situated by Central Station and sandwiched between Old Town and Chinatown. Now, you’re not allowed to take photos of the “ladies” but I’ll try to describe our brief tour through there last night around 10 p.m. While there are no signs or billboards directing you there, a single red string of lights on the main canal cutting through it, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, will signal your arrival as will the hordes of horny men packing the streets to check it out.

Moulin Rouge-just one of the "shows" in the Red Light District in Amsterdam — Moulin Rouge-just one of the “shows” in the Red Light District in Amsterdam

So, I’m looking around and not seeing what the big deal is and then I spotted in the lower below ground windows the “ladies” in their lingerie trying to entice men into their lairs. All types and some looking quite bored on their smartphones, the “ladies” just open their private door once they get a live one and in they go for whatever they want (all legal here) in their private room and they discreetly close their red curtain to show they are busy for awhile. Not sure what their rates are but here, in the off season, they didn’t seem to be busy so perhaps you can negotiate a good price. Interestingly, even in the regular part of town, you’ll be walking by commercial shops and look down and see a lady in her finest waiting for a client in the window. We even saw one gal with a feather boa and not much else on who had to be 70 if she was a day. What??? No, I’m not judging.

Cannabis College in the Red Light District..wonder how many credits needed to graduate?

What WAS super busy was the live porn shows with lines around the block of young folks, lots of couples, waiting their turn to see whatever was going on inside-one can only imagine. Once you get through the red light part, you immediately go into the high density weed shops where you can order off a menu depending on your need. Not like in the old days, as Thom would say, when you put a fiver into a hole in the door and out would come a bag for you. I don’t know of such things, being the Hoosier good girl hick that I am, so Thom has to share his NYC stories of bad behavior with me. And, of course, along with the sex and weed going on, the big business in this part of town is the donut/pizza shops that are on every corner like Starbucks in Seattle. I guess you work up an appetite in that part of town quite quickly.

Donuts & Pizza, of course! Red Light District works up an appetite!

In a city where prostitution and weed are legal and the folks don’t go into work until 10 a.m., overall everyone seems pretty darn happy and laid back. Thom, of course, wants to rent a houseboat and move here immediately. Predictable he is!

Life is an adventure and we never know what experiences we will move on to next but I’m certainly open to anything and everything! We love Europe and all it’s quirks and history and cultural differences to the US. I can’t wait to explore more countries while we are still spry enough and able to afford to travel in the style Thom has become accustomed to. Off we go!!

Our European Adventure continues..

On September 24, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, expat, Travel, vacation, walkingLeave a comment

So, I’ll try not to gush too much but OMG do I LOVE EUROPE! I love the history and architecture, the lack of tacky skyscrapers and shiny malls, the friendly folk who love football (soccer to you Americans) and laidback lifestyle. Yes, the coffee shops don’t open until 8 a.m. but since they don’t appear to go to work until 9-10 a.m., that works. Three hour dinner-sure! Keep on drinking and eating with your buddies-no rushing home to get some zzzz’s and be at work by 8 a.m. At our hotel today, around 3 p.m. a hotel employee was seen taking two huge bottles of icy vodka into a meeting room for a group-think it was a bank. Now that’s how you should conduct business! Think up an idea-take a shot to celebrate!

Luxurious elegance in lobby at Hotel Des Indes

We have received such wonderful service to the point where we have to wrestle our bags away from well-meaning hotel staff who want to assist us. We are very self-sufficient and used to wheeling around our own stuff, thank you. Get us museum tickets? Get us football tickets? Change out our cash to Euros? SURE! Our slightly ditzy hotel staff member was changing out some cash for us and doubled what she should have given us. Realizing her error, I handed her back $100 Euros and hopefully she will tell others, giving US tourists a good name for their honesty. Good karma, baby!

Speaking of good karma, how about that Pope flying around DC in that modest Fiat? Love that he is eating with the homeless instead of all those corrupt bickering politicians. You go Father! CNN International is covering all Pope all the time over here. While there are a few shows in English, the street signs here are all in Dutch-even China was easier to get around with signs everywhere that we could read. So far, we just guess and ask for help and everyone is quick to assist. Most people do also speak English which makes it easy to get around. BTW, always carry .50 euro coins with you as the public bathrooms all have attendants collecting money for use. At least they aren’t squats like China-hallelujah!

antique and book market in front of Hotel Des Indes

Today, we finished up our time in The Hague, a truly lovely city which Rick Steves doesn’t even recommend visiting. Rick, come on, don’t be a Hague-hater! I disagree with Steves-lots to enjoy there with the beach nearby and the Peace Palace and museums galore. We loved walking out of the Hotel Des Indes and seeing an antique/book market going on in the square. If only I had a huge container to utilize to send back furniture and paintings!!! I settled for a jazz CD and some antique postcards–my luggage is stuffed as it is. Then it was off to the Mauritshuis Museum to see the Vermeers, Rembrandts and Reubens in a beautiful mansion built in the 1600’s on a pond. So gorgeous and small enough not to overwhelm the senses.

Then, it was off to the train to zip back to Amsterdam for another stay at the Andaz-the best hotel chain around. If you haven’t stayed in one, treat yourself. We were lucky enough to stay for two months at the one in Shanghai as my temporary housing and they are in many cities now. The one in NYC is right by the library. They are small, well designed with unique rooms and the service is the best I have ever experienced. TOTALLY! With free mini-bar in room, free bikes to use (if my shoulder wasn’t hurting so bad), lavish breakfast included and free happy hour, it can’t be beat for amenities. Cheers! Tonight, we’re off to the Red Light District and a jazz club!

utter elegance at musem — utter elegance at museum

Amsterdam First Impression-Bikes & Beer

On September 20, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, expat, Food, hotels, Shopping, Travel, walking1 Comment

Hot Damn-I finally made it to Amsterdam! I have dreamed of this trip for years and I was right-it is gorgeous AND the perfect walking city for us to explore. My Fitbit is loving me with 12,000+ steps in on our first day. Touching down at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, we fumbled our way through buying a tram ticket at the machine, dealing with ALL our credit cards being rejected before I finally got an ATM to spit out some euros with the debit card. Then, we were jumping on the #5 tram with a little help from a local who scolded us that the tram lets people off first, moves down the lane and THEN you are allowed in. Okay-I had to appreciate the orderly fashion that they follow here in public transportation vs. my fond memories of the clusterf*&k of using China mass transit.

First impressions–bikes, German beer, brick streets and bridges over impossibly picturesque canals where the tour boats glide by slowly. The architecture reminds me of SoHo in NYC with no big new ugly buildings ruining the vibe of little boutiques. We noticed quickly that every building has a large hook hanging from the roof, probably we figured out to haul up furniture and such into the apartments. Quirky and charming, our neighborhood is the perfect blend of residential and commercial.

After receiving the best service EVER from Corrodo at the Andaz Amsterdam, we checked our bags and off we went. Learning very quickly that the sidewalks are narrow with random steep stairways to lower levels jutting into your way so you have to watch every step or fall, it seemed a relatively quiet Sunday with primarily (not a helmet in sight) bike riders and some sassy scooters filling the one way streets lining the canals, I can’t imagine the chaos that will ensue tomorrow when everyone jumps on their bikes to go to work. We’ll be dodging and weaving to cross the streets for sure. I figure if I lived through China though, I’ll probably survive here.

We ducked into the local grocery to check it out-to feel the culture is to see how the locals shop. Lots of prepared foods and smaller portions (didn’t see a lot of families living around here) bread, waffles, chocolates and calories galore. YUM! Got a small bottle of wine tucked into my bag for later.

We’re saving the famous red light district for another night. More to come on that experience! I hear it is quite interesting.

For those not familiar with the weed culture like we have in Seattle, there is probably interest to visit the head shops here. I’ve smelled more pot in the hallways of our building than I have here so no big deal for us.

Tomorrow we leave for the Hague and another train trip. Every day is an adventure!

Getting Old Sucks (not me, of course, I haven’t had a bday for years!)

On August 24, 2015August 24, 2015 By Travels with MelindaIn Dog, Pike Place Market, SeattleLeave a comment

As I do NOT celebrate another birthday this week, I am surrounded by signs that everyone around me IS getting older and my body is starting to betray me. WTF! Dr. Ken was kind enough to work me into his rotation today after I procrastinated months to visit after suffering with shoulder pain. Dr. K. informed me that, despite overall crazy good health, I probably had a “frozen” shoulder from taking a shove from the well-meaning dog who was jostling for premium positioning on my lap–my 60 pound lap dog that he thinks he is. Now, in most people’s minds, especially children, “frozen” is cool and popular in the movie sense. Not so much when that “frozen” settles in your shoulder restricting most movement and requiring assistance, Thank You Thom!, for clothing changes as needed. What do people do who don’t have lovely partners to assist when the tough times hit? I can’t even imagine that type of life and hope it never happens to me. Scary and sad!

So, off to the Ortho Dude I go! Thousands of dollars later despite having insurance, I will probably go through the MRI machine and get some cortisone shots as well. Now, this also could well be the Curse of the Frozen Shoulder and Izaak was just a pawn in the bigger mystery of the universe. See, my sis also had frozen shoulder(s) when she was my age, not that I age, so is this just coincidence or a family genetic curse??? Who knows but it hurts like hell and now wine or Aleve are my go-to’s for support to get through a happy day. However, as the optimistic Dr. K. pronounced, “It could be worse!” So, living up to my motto from way back, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” (shout out to Kelly Clarkson who sings it so well!), I will take my pain and put that happy face on it for as long as it takes to heal…WebMD says could take a year. Blah! Need to buy stock in Aleve and purchase my own winery I’m thinking. Hmmm……

Just like the shirt says “Happiness Rocks”

In the meantime, we enjoyed some awesome rock last night as KEXP sponsored a lovely evening of music played off the roof of Pike Place Market and featuring iconic artists: Mike McCready, Duff McKagan (both from Pearl Jam), Barrett Martin and Mark Arm just banging it out with thousands crowding Pike Place Market on a lovely August evening. Rock on!

We’re also gearing up for the kids (Baby Mia!) to come and visit us in Seattle over Labor Day–Children’s Museum, Aquarium and playground time galore. Then, it’s off to Amsterdam for a week of urban fun on our fall vacation. I foresee lots of biking and lovely photos to share with everyone. When I tell folks where we are going on vacation, it seems like EVERYONE BUT US has already been to Amsterdam. Time to catch up with the masses who all love it there.

A few days after we get back, my best friend Patti comes to visit with her husband Larry and we will show them all around our hometown as well as take the train to Vancouver for the weekend. In addition to a burlesque show at our new favorite club, The Triple Door, we’ll just have to Ride the Ducks with them….SO FUN! We do like to have fun wherever we go. Damn, life is good even with a bum shoulder!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: