Amsterdam to Cologne

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We woke up to pouring rain this morning. Dark and gloomy, it was freezing outside! I am so thankful I brought my thick waterproof jacket. To think I wasn’t going to bring it! It’s all I’ve been wearing since arriving in Europe!

Our buffet breakfast was at 7.30am…eek! Most of you will know that is VERY early for me! At breakfast we sat with Tammy and Con from Perth, Australia. They have 2 twin girls who are 5 years old. After the tour they’re going to London then Greece for 3 weeks to meet up with family and their 2 daughters.

With breakfast over (also smuggling some crackers in my bag), we get in the bus and head to the city. We board an undercover glass boat and cruise the canals of Amsterdam. It is still raining so the glass is all fogged up. Still we get a good introduction to Amsterdam and some good photos. After the canal ride our bus takes us to a diamond factory. Here we see how they cut and polish diamonds. We are also given the opportunity to buy jewellery. Even with the tax refund (7% off), the savings are still not enough to buy anything  The diamond I like is $51, 000 AUD! That is just a diamond! Having survived the diamond factory we are given free coffee and tea (phew!) and then free time around Amsterdam. Mainly wandering the shopping areas, we pick up a few souvenirs and compare prices. We’re coming back to Amsterdam after the tour ends so will buy most of it then.

I love Amsterdam! It is such a pretty city! I just love the houseboats on the river, the bikes parked everywhere, the windmills, and the little laneways between streets. I also think it’s amusing how the shops are positioned. You’ll have a trendy department store next to a ‘coffee shop’, next to a McDonalds, next to a sex shop. We had kebabs (€4 each) for lunch (much better than ones in Sydney too) and across the way was a place selling all types of things to smoke!  Next to that shop was a barber and a Belgian burger place.

Back on the bus we travel towards Germany. Everything is so green here. So green and lush! The cows are all HUGE! I’ve never seen so many fat cows! They are enormous!

We have a brand new coach bus with lots of leg space. We’re sitting up the back with some other Aussies and the Canadian girls. There are empty seats about so it’s not very cramped. I am glad I brought my ipod with me. It helps me get sleep on the bus…although I don’t need any help falling asleep. Touring is tiring work!

Our hotel in Germany is the Holiday Inn near the airport. It has huge rooms. This room is actually nicer than our one in Singapore! I’m loving the wireless Internet access (€9.40 for 2 hours). Eurovision is playing on tv. We have a lot of channels at this hotel. Flicking through the channels we see American Pie in German. It’s so weird watching it in another language!

Dinner tonight was included. We had a 3 course meal downstairs in the restaurant - soup, roast chicken and veggies, plus a custard fruity dessert. We sat with the South African couple Sydney and Baby. They are about 50-60? They have children who are our age. They are soccer mad fans and so Todd hit it off with Sydney. Sydney used to be a soccer referee for South Africa! They actually timed their Europe trip with the World Cup too however don’t have tickets to any games. They have been spending the last couple of years traveling around the world - most of Asia and South Africa. This is their first time to Europe too.

Other people we met today are a couple from the Philippines (can’t remember their names!)They are from Cebu in the Philippines. They are also traveling with another Filipino…I think it may be their son.

Tomorrow we are going on an optional cruise down the Rhine river and visiting Heidelberg. After that we drive straight to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. I can’t wait to see the snow!!!!

Till next time!!!

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Photos

Amsterdam houses
The more windows, the more doors, the richer you are.

Amsterdam shopping
Something for everyone!

Basset Hound in Amsterdam
Puppies are everywhere! This one didn't want to walk anymore!

Todd in front of the Royal Palace
Lucky for us the sun came out after lunch

Comments

[mum]

Aussie gear
Todd..Nat said she saw the Socceroos tops in Paris..you may get a French original!!!! love mum

[Dean]

Amsterdam
Wow, it looks like a movie set or something... so clean! Did it smell "funny"? :p~

[Paul]

did ya blaze it up?
So did ya go to the 'coffee' stores?? I can't even begin to imagine your or toddy stoned off your rocks ;p Also i was laffing at my computer when i read the bit about you maybe knowing the other filo's couple's son. Man that's like pimping all over the world! ;p Although i'd luv to read more, i better get back to work - catch up on the rest later - sounds like your having the time of your lives though! Soooo cool! cya