Ibis Den Haag City Centre Rotterdam

Delft is primarily known for its typically Dutch town centre with canals, also for the Dutch painter Vermeer and Delft Blue Pottery.<br>Thera drove us from Zevenhoven to this picturesque city in the province of south Holland where I was very impressed with the charm, pottery and the history surrounding the life and assasination of William of Orange at the Prinsenhof.

... time and we were a little lost. We asked a policeman how to get to the Erasmusburg, which is the hospital here in town, and our hostel is supposed to be right across from that. He gave us good directions and we found it easily. When we were walking there though, we happened upon a street with green carpet (like a red carpet) rolled out on all the sidewalks for about 3 blocks. They were setting up for some kind of festival that looked like it ...

... from the regular weiner in a bun and finished our ride about 45 minutes later. We boarded back onto the train and headed straight to Copenhagen. Over all it was an adventure and in the end of it, a ton of fun. I had arrived in Copenhagen, it was 10:00pm and didn't even have a map of the city which I usally get from the Tourist info in the stations. There I was walking the streets, praying that someone knew where I was staying. Some random guy from some bar patio asked ...

... Couchsurfing is so good for meeting people, tommy hooked up a beer date for us both with a local girl named didi. She had a spare hour before she started work so we went for a pint at one of the little bars down the road from her house, which was situated on the top a little cafe. She was cool, spoke the lingo, understood everything we said, and she gave us a few tips on what to do in the evening. She had an orange ...

... walk back to our home at the top of the spiral stairs. We have bought far too much food, having to discard too much for my comfort when we finally leave for home. In the meantime, we eat well after our first day of exploring Amsterdam: a tasty Dutch meal prepared by Gary that includes thick sausages. After the big meal, sleep comes easily.

... and took my first step back onto English soil, I could have sunk to my knees and kissed that bloody runway. I missed everybody so much, all my friends, family and Bob, the anticipation of seeing them again had been unbearable. I had come so far and now I had returned, a little bit tired and rough around the edges, but a bit more world weary, more independant and (thankfully) a stone lighter. In a few short hours I would be back home in Bournemouth and I couldn't wait...

... voiture! Il faut avoir des yeux tout le tour de la tete! Le tramway est silencieusement vicieux! Voulant jouer au parfait local je me suis loue un velo hier. Wow! 4h de velo a me perdre dans les rue de Amsterdam! J'etais tellement rendu loin que j'ai vu des vaches, des chevaux et autres animaux europeens! Rien a voir avec nos velos de montagne 1000 vitesses! Ici les velos sont de vraies velos de ville! Selle avec suspension ...

Amsterdam was OK but I think I was expecting something different. I shouldn't have been too surprised, I guess, but I did find it to be very touristy. If prostitution and pot where legal in the USA I wonder what would happen to the economy of Amsterdam? A large number of American tourists here...by far the most I have seen so far on my trip with the exception, I guess, of when I was actually in the United States ...

... area - or town square. The streets are still bare, as few people are out yet. We find a bakery and grab some wonderful pastries and a drink, and continue walking up a canal. We're told "old Delft" is just up the street. Unlike Rotterdam with it's new modern buildings, Delft seems to be left out of the "contemporary" world. Which keeps this beautiful town a tourist destination.We headed over to the town square, getting lost along the way. Dads are starting ...

... to look after Erwin&#8221; she replied. It was quickly agreed. &#8220;Ok, we&#8217;ve got to keep ourselves together and get through this. Let&#8217;s just get to the airport.&#8221; Erwin attempted to stand, his legs as shaky as a newly born foal, leaning on the table for support. Cutlery and serviettes went flying, cups and saucers rattled noisily and his chair tipped over and crashed to the ground. So much for making an inconspicuous get-away ...