A. S. Design Suites Dordrecht

... midday, should have been approximately south). This seemed to work (I'll plot the route later, I stopped for lunch in what I think was Amstelveen) and just before I encountered a forecourt I found a helpful signpost - so I decided to follow that.

Signposts in the Netherlands can be confusing - there are the major routes in Blue (which are often - but not always unsuitable - for cycles) much like British motorway signs. Then there are the minor routes that are ...

in Den Haag or the Hague, whichever you prefer.

I was going to join some other couchsurfers in Rotterdam, a half hour train ride away, but I'd much rather just have a half relax day and update my internet stuff, search for some couches, etc.

I'll head back into Rotterdam in a ...

I've been here so many times & I never take pictures... so I decided to remedy that this time. Dordrecht is one of the most picturesque towns I've ever seen, & I'm lucky to have the opportunity to stop there often on my way to Africa to visit my good friend Colette.

... Rotterdam briefly to see the amazing architecture and eat something tasty. We also toured the nearby Kindersdyke with working 16th-century windmills and the far away castle-something-or-other out in the middle of nowhere next to the river. Finally, after days that seemed far too short, the time came for us to take the train the Amsterdam, but not without first saying goodbye to our gracious host, eating some Dutch Pancakes, and relaxing a bit first.

... Everywhere has a totally different atmosphere when you have to rug up in 2 pairs of socks & thermals and jumpers, jackets, scarves, gloves & beanies everytime you go outside and its dark & their are beautiful lights everywhere ! One of my most favourite days from christmas didnt actually start as such a good day as we had ryans rugby christmas party the night before !but after a late breakfast we went into town to the christmas markets ...

Today was Beach Day! Although the weather looked intimidating when we awoke, we would not be dissuaded from a proper day at a sandy beach (which are few and far between in the Pacific Northwest). And for once, the weather cooperated - as the boys and I drove west towards the Hague (den Haag, in Dutch), the clouds started to evaporate and the weather improved immensely. Which was important for the day's plans - more on that in a moment. My cousin Maggie ...

We were very excitied to land in Rotterdam and it was so lovely to be greeted by John and Karin's happy smiling faces. Our first day in our new home the reality of the real world was looming and we were straight down to business at the town hall trying to sort out our visas once and for all - of course it wasnt that easy and we had to wait 2 weeks until we finally did get the visas so we were satisfied that we had skipped Egypt for a good reason. We have tried to ...

... major European cities, including Paris, Brussels, and Canterbury (England!). The side trips were hectic but also lots of fun. We came back to Amsterdam in time for the Queen's Day festivities (April 30th)... a big party throughout the country and the one day of the year where it's legal to sell personal belongings on the sidewalks. The roads were all filled with ...

... off at Scheveningen beach, a popular holiday destination. The rest of us went on to Madurodam, the site of the most amazing model village except that it was a model city and precise in every detail. The centrepiece was a replica of Schiphol airport and included terminals, aircraft up to two metres long and all the ground staff. One of the aircraft was taxiing down the runway. Regrettably, it did not take off. Throughout the model town ran a railway system any ...

... ESPN Game Plan is that we can watch ANY NCAA football game across the country for the next week. Technology is so amazing- we are very grateful for it! 56-0, what a great start for the Hawkeyes! We are SO glad we were able to watch them today and we are looking forward to seeing them throughout the year! Click on the link for pictures to see the tailgating festivities in Leiden... WAY TO GO HAWKS!