Best of Holland (Day 6, 17 May 2012)

In the blink of an eye, 6 days of touring have come to an end! We are back in Amsterdam for one night at the Mercure Aan de Amstel Hotel before departing tomorrow morning for Singapore.

I fried my own eggs at breakfast this morning, they had a corner for you to DIY! Even provided wet wipes and all.

We kicked off today's sightseeing with a short ride to Workum where we had a short rest stop and managed to have drinks with Ananda again. The smell of dung permeated the air again but after a while you get used to it.



We then drove on towards Friesland province on the Afsluitdijk, a 30km stretch of causeway along the Zuiderzee, a bay belonging to the North Sea that was dammed off, forming a freshwater lake on the other side. It was a major project in the 30s and there was a monument dedicated to the architect which we stopped at. There were tonnes of giant mosquitoes flying about and they sort of swarmed the bus windows and a number of them went splat on the windshield!



We continued on to Edam, the town the cheese is named after. It was another pretty village, and then on we went to Volendam to stop for lunch and some R&R time. They had plenty of souvenir shops and being on the coast, I felt it only apt we eat some seafood.




They had a number of shops selling fried fish and seafood and we managed to get a sear inside one. I had a mixed platter, while he had fish & chips. Then we browsed the shops, didn't buy much, except for some tees for the kids at a very cheap outlet store.

Last stop was Zaanse Schans, a popular tourist attraction with a collection of historic windmills. Unfortunately, the sky was overcast so all my pictures turned out gloomy. The houses in the area are a distinct green and after trying for so long to take a decent windmill shot, I gave up and we had apple pie and coffee in one of the cafes.

The place is truly a tourist magnet, lots of Indian and Chinese tourists, and Chinese sales assistants behind the jewellery counters. We visited a clog shop, so many types of clogs!



We reached Amsterdam in the early evening and I found out from Swana that Nat had been peeing unusually frequent the last couple of days so I told her to get it checked because I suspected an infection.

The room was big but a little old but it faces the Amstel River. We got ready for the farewell dinner, to be held in a place called Humphrey's.


There was a section cordoned off for us but because we lingered in the back, all the tables got filled pretty fast and the only 2 empty seats were separate from each other.

That wasn't actually a bad thing because then we got to sit and eat with Ananda and Mark our driver in a quiet corner. And we could also change dishes from the appetizers offered because Nick and I don't eat carpaccio or salmon! Instead we had soup and grilled prawns, and I chose prawns again for my main.



We found out interesting facts about Mark, he had a 19 year old son, but lives in Germany because of his girlfriend. He used to be a 9-5 office worker but traded it for life on the road because he felt restricted.

We had to hustle right after dessert which took some guests by surprise because there are restrictions on how many hours a driver can drive and also mandatory rest hours so we made it to the hotel just in time, only to encounter a locked gate! We got off anyway, and bade our goodbyes to the rest of the group.


My bags are all packed, hardly any space left and I'm rather satisfied with the purchases. Wished we had more free time to wander on our own but 6 days wasn't actually as fast as I imagined and we saw so many things.

Holland is very postcard pretty. I won't forget so soon the greenery, tulips, canals, quaint villages, windmills, cows, ducks, cuisine and hospitality. We had a lovely time, I'm not sure if we'll ever come back but I'm glad we went and I look forward to the next tour!

I could get used to this touring business versus free and easy, didn't have to worry about sightseeing planning or where to stay...just where to shop! Everything was mostly taken care off, we didn't have to spend too much except the occasional dinner and our lunches so it's very worth it with the staff discount, although this particular trip was free, even for me, thanks to his generous boss.

Hmm, where to next?

Best of Holland (Day 5, 16 May 2012)

Phew, it was another looooong day today as we explored more of Groningen province.

I was all psyched to cycle like a Dutch, we had a city tour scheduled and people could choose between walking and cycling, however when I tried the bike, the seat was too high for me, even after being lowered and my feet couldn't touch the ground. I dared not get on the road as such, had visions of me not being able to break properly or falling off the bike so we chickened out and got on the coach instead. Phebe and Zalina were more adventurous and practiced a bit before the cycling group departed.



We had a local guide named Paulien who took us to hidden nooks and crannies within the city centre, starting with an almshouse which provided shelter to the poor, sick and elderly in the past, we explored some peaceful courtyards and the gardens of Prinsenhoftuin and ended at Martinitoren in the main market square, the highest church steeple in the province. There are a lot of Martini-named buildings in Groningen because St Martin is their patron saint.





We then had some free time and mine is always spent shopping! The usual shops beckoned, Zara, H&M, Hema and several purchases were made, although the range was limited. We had trouble deciding where to eat and walked back and forth a couple of outlets, losing precious time that in the end, we had to wolf down burgers at McDonalds within 10 mins and hightail it back to the coach...I like to live dangerously!

The bus made a pick-up/drop-off at the hotel, then we continued on with a local guide named Titus who covered the province more in depth. We ventured into the countryside, passing narrow lanes and verdant fields with many a cow grazing.


Titus pointed out rich villages that existed in the past because of the city's wealth and artificial hillocks called terpen, which were constructed because being near the sea, floods were a big issue in the past. There are lots of dykes around the coast to prevent flooding and Titus brought us to one of the highest ones, facing out to the North Sea.



It was super windy and chilly, we were freezing our bums off. I wandered away to snap pictures of sheep spotted nearby but when I got too close, they baa-ed and walked away. We passed by a number of windmills, the traditional ones we associate with Holland are fast disappearing, replaced by modern white giant fans so every time we passed an old windmill, I would snap away.


Next up was an old estate called Menkemaborg where we stopped for coffee and butter cake and had a chance to view how a rich family lived in the past. Ducks and geese roamed the grounds, it was very serene and I noticed little things in the house that are quintessentially Dutch like Delft pottery and carpets on tables.



Ananda had mentioned how when the Netherlands became a rich trading nation in the 17th century, the Dutch would put Turkish carpets on the table instead of floor as they were too valuable to be stepped on. These carpets are also depicted in paintings, indicating the social status of the subject, as pointed out to us at the Rijksmuseum.

After a short rest at the hotel, we were out again for one of the highlights of the tour, the Be My Guest dinner. We passed by a canola field on the way, yellow as far as the eye can see! Oh, and we had a bout of hailstones too, shows you how cold it is!

Exclusive to Trafalgar, Be My Guest dining experiences showcase the true essence of a destination by an insider. As the guest of a local host, we get to experience warm hospitality and enjoy a delicious meal prepared using fresh local produce. This evening we visited a dairy farm and local cafe for the Be My Guest experience.

Everyone had to put on blue plastic covers over our shoes, I suspect so we don't bring dung back on the bus! The smell of dung was overpowering as we disembarked, but there was a rainbow in the distance so I knew it was going to be a good night.


I was half tempted to bring out the minyak kapak but didn't want to offend our hosts, a young farmer helping out in his father's business. He spoke very good English and showed us around their barns and facilities, they have a few hundred cows and modern production facilities that allow them to milk 50 cows in an hour. Or was it 200?

Some of the cows were huge, like the size of a car! They were curious when I put my camera close to their faces, one nearly licked it out of my hands!


After the orientation, we were taken across the road to Cafe Mausel, where the main dinner was hosted. There was a short presentation by the young farmer about his family's business and then Farmer Mausel took over for the dining portion. We were eating in his family's cafe, they run a B&B and have a farm of their own. His wife and daughters prepared all the food for us, hearty Dutch fare comprising some mustard soup, salads, salted herring, buttered broccoli, meatballs and roasted potatoes.


The mustard soup was a hit, we weren't sure what to expect when he told us about mustard initially but it was rich and creamy with slices of leek and bacon and only a subtle mustard flavour and I had myself 2 bowls! The recipe and mustard used was offered for sale at 2 euros and I bought some to try and replicate it at home.


I had a friendly albeit slightly deaf lady named Sandra opposite me, so I had to speak slowly for her. She was amused at the 1001 photos I took, even down to the soup and the homemade ice cream with strawberries for dessert. The ice cream was too milky for me but it was balanced out by the sweetness of the strawberries.




After dinner, Farmer Mausel showed us around his barn which hosts parties and events for the locals, there was a gleaming chilli red real Cadillac in a corner, I had no idea these cars were so big and long.


All in, it was a truly enjoyable evening with great company and good food so two thumbs up for the Be My Guest experience!

Best of Holland (Day 4, 15 May 2012)

We are now in Groningen, the city where Fandi Ahmad played European club football. It looks pretty much similar to Amsterdam, i.e. numerous canals, similar architecture. It was a long day and took a while to get here, not because of the distance but because we had about 3 sightseeing stops along the way.

We checked out of our hotel at 9am this morning and headed towards the Kröller–Müller museum and sculpture park in Otterlo where we got to see some of Van Gogh’s works including the ‘Café Terrace at Night’. You know that song with the opening line, ‘Starry starry night…’ by Don McLean? It never registered with me that the title was actually ‘Vincent’ and it was about Van Gogh.




There were other paintings too, by Renoir, Monet and Picasso and the works were collected by a woman named Helene Kröller–Müller who then donated it to her country back in the 30s.


It was bloody cold today and of all days I had decided to wear a skirt and leggings, luckily we were mostly indoors. Nick managed to have a catch-up with Ananda at the museum café and then we briefly viewed some sculptures outdoors.


Next stop was the Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn, it belongs to the royal family but they opened it up for public viewing. There was a line of symmetrically planted trees leading up to the entrance and peacocks wandering about.



We spent all our time exploring the gardens, the so-called ‘Versailles of Holland’. It rained intermittently and the directional signs were non-existent so we skipped viewing the interior of the palace and had lunch with Phebe and Zalina at the café outside.



Had a really hearty tomato soup and some croquettes and a mouthwatering strawberry tart. Plus I had my first Heineken of the trip!


After Het Loo, we headed towards Groningen and along the way, they showed us Staphorst, one of the country’s most religious towns and recognisable with the thatched roofs on their houses.


Then we arrived in Giethoorn for some apple pie and coffee, with the freshest whipped cream to top off the dessert.

An optional excursion, Giethoorn is a charming village criss-crossed by many canals, hump backed bridges and thatched farmhouses. This pretty spot is more popularly known as "Holland's Green Venice', there are no cars in the village.



We had a pleasant boat ride, some of the group wanted to open the windows on the boat to take better pictures so it got quite cold, I think today was around 2-4 degrees. I think the kids in the village must get a lot of Chinese visitors because they would wave to Nick and say ‘Ni Hao?’

We reached our hotel, the Mercure Groningen Martiniplaza in the early evening and after a short rest, were out again with Phebe and Zalina to search for food. The shops were closed around our neighbourhood so we waited for a bus to the city, which was a little too far to walk and we were not orientated yet.


Met a friendly Nigerian woman named Julie who helped us with directions and she let on that her neighbour Julia is Singaporean and just had a baby. Small world!


The ride to town was only a few minutes and there was a fun fair in the main square. Not a lot of places were open and we managed to find a kebab place. Chatted about politics and our respective countries over wraps and burgers, and then we rushed to meet the bus back to our hotel.

Best of Holland (Day 3, 14 May 2012)

Into Day 3 and we kicked off with a diamond polishing demonstration at Gassan. Holland is a diamond polishing centre and I was hoping for some bargains but prices were not as attractive as anticipated.


To be honest, I didn't really browse properly...whatever free time we had at this first stop, I hustled it to a store down the road called Hema which we passed on the way in. Tsolmon had mentioned they sell nice and cheap stuff here and she was right.

I picked up kids' bikinis for 4 euros, and a bunch of pretty partyware with prices ranging from 1 euro to 5. I even bought serviettes, pink polka dot paper plates, party favours, cocktail umbrellas and a long kids' umbrella. I had about 15 mins to shop and pay so I grabbed whatever appealed to me, never mind whether I needed the item or not. I felt like I was on 'Supermarket Sweep'!

I've already gained a reputation as a shopper among our tour mates, every time they see me I have several shopping bags!

After Gassan, we rode the bus for about 2 hours to Venlo to visit Floriade, a horticultural expo that rolls around once every 10 years. It was a bit of an anticlimax after Keukenhof, mainly gardening exhibits with very little flowers and boring pavilions. We went on the cable car ride to get a bird's eye view before stopping for lunch with Phebe and Zalina.




Thereafter, we spent another hour or so exploring the grounds and taking photos at the only stretch of flowers before hightailing it out of there and abandoning the group. I had grand plans to visit the Roermond Factory Outlet and the ride to Venlo saved me one train trip, as Roermond was 30 mins away by train.




Nick and I took the shuttle bus to the train station and purchased tickets to Roermond, it was about 4.40 euros each and the ride was under 30 mins. It was easy enough to find the outlet store, a 10 min walk from the Roermond train station.



My main targets were Gucci, Prada, Mulberry, Burberry and Desigual so I focused on those stores. Nothing much at Gucci, could tell some items were 'straight to outlet' and the service at Prada was bad but still I picked up a wallet, clutch and cosmetic pouch. Also bought two tees from Desigual and we had a simple dinner at McDonalds.

My poor boy spent most of his time sitting on benches outside the shops. For some reason, there was a hidden tag in his new Gap jeans that had not been cut off and the security sensors would go off loudly each time he tried to enter a store so he gave up and waited outside. On hindsight, I should have insisted he go to the loo and find the culprit barcode but the idea only just occurred to me.


We had an early dinner at McDonald's where I tried a McKroket burger and some shrimp. After a couple of hours, we made our way back to Amsterdam. The ride was 2 hrs and the fare over 20 euros each.


We didn't know we had to change trains if we wanted to alight at Muiderpoort, which was the station nearest to our hotel, we didn't understand the announcements. At one particular stop, a lot of people started alighting and switching carriages and we found out the train was being split into 2 and those heading to Amsterdam Central had to move up. Luckily we asked someone else I don't know where we would have landed up!

The boy got cranky when he realised we'd bypassed the Muiderpoort station. We had to alight at Central and spend extra money to take tram no. 9 back to Wichttenbachstraat! I always do these things to him!