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Published: June 16th 2015
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Monday 15 June:
A rather early start this morning as Zachary woke up just after 5:30 and wasn’t getting back to sleep. We managed to pass the time until 7:45 at which time we headed out for McD’s to get breakfast, only to discover they didn’t open until 8. This is a rather strange Europe-wide quirk we’re still not used to – what’s the point of opening for breakfast at 8? Anyway we didn’t find anything better so we hung out for a while and went in. It was rather chilly this morning with a cold wind – a bit of a change from yesterday so we were all keen to get inside.
After breakfast Heather finished the packing and we stored our stuff in the lobby area so we could go shopping. We had spotted a Newmarket style area down the road and I needed some new pants and Zachary new shirts and togs. Shops don’t seem to open until 10 so we passed the time doing a bit of grocery shopping and looking through a mall. It had a dedicated lane in the middle for people who were texting while walking which we
found quite amusing.
Anyway I had the day all planned out – shopping then train to Roosendaal (Nederland) at 11:45 transferring to the train to ‘s-Hertogenbosch to arrive at 1:10. Mission accomplished with shopping I texted Birgitta to let her know this was all good. However after scurrying down, across, and up at Roosendaal to make the transfer we sat and waited. The train doors were making some strange beeping noises then there was some clunking and banging noises. Unsurprisingly this was followed by an announcement that there was a problem and they were looking at it and could we please be patient. 10 minutes after this the service was cancelled. We had to squeeze our way out via another carriage as our carriage doors were not working. As the next train (they go half-hourly) couldn’t leave from that platform due to the malfunctioning train blocking it we had to carry all our gear back to where we came from. Of course this train was now packed (ours was already busy) and just as we were about to get on Heather realised she had misplaced her sunglasses. We still had a few minutes so she went back
to the stationary train and looked for them. This was not successful and the new train was completely full. I had no interest in trying to get all our stuff on and then have to stand so we decided to wait another half hour. The only good thing was that this train would also go from the platform we were now on. But 15 minutes later the defective train moved so, lo and behold, that platform was now free and across we went with all our gear for the 3
rd time!
So exactly one hour behind schedule we got away and arrived in ‘s-Hertogenbosch at 2:10. Fortunately Birgitta was not pressed for time and Heather was reunited with her passport, phone, and cards. Alas, her sunglasses are still missing.
So we had a drink, got some groceries, and caught the bus to De Efteling, the first of three large theme parks on the holiday itinerary. I had hoped to arrive by 4 at the latest so we could get an hour or two at the park but not to be. We arrived at the bus stop at De Efteling at 4:25 and it was
a bloody long walk just to the main gates. I scouted ahead and got directions as to how to get to the Village Bosrijk, where we are staying. Finally, at about 5pm we got there. We then had another 5 minute walk to our apartment house, but at least we found trolleys to transport our luggage. So we didn’t get to go into the park today. We went and had dinner at the Village Restaurant. We went for the “Lumberjack Plate” which, for €29 gave us a selection of meatballs, steaks, ribs, and drumsticks plus a pile of baked potatoes and veges. Then he delivered a salad and a cone of chips. Fortunately Zachary was occupied watching tv when this all arrived so we were able to send the chips back without them being seen (he had had it made very clear to him there were NO chips tonight). Superb value really – I was expecting exorbitant prices and we actually couldn’t finish it all.
So then back to the room which is very well equipped. As you would expect it is extremely child friendly (as was the restaurant) and Zachary has his own room. A bit
of a battle to get to sleep but he was out by about 9:15. The park opens at 10 tomorrow but we can access parts of it from 9:30 (the Dutch say their time backwards so the receptionist was telling us we could go in half an hour early at half past ten, but we managed to figure it out between us all) so we will hopefully spend the whole day there. Our ticket gives us entry on Wednesday also but we’ll play that by ear as we have things in Amsterdam to do as well.
Tuesday 16 June: So, with all the drama of actually getting here behind it, was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! We had a fantastic day at De Efteling. Zachary has unfortunately developed a cold but, in true Zachary fashion, he kept going. We arrived at opening time and after a stop to get Heather some new sunglasses we did nearly everything we wanted. The only hitch was that after about an hour I had to go back to the apartment and get long pants and jumpers. Heather and I had left in t-shirts and shorts as the weather was
clear and looking quite good. However it was chilly and a bit of a cold wind came up so we were actually really cold. Zachary and Heather went to one of the playgrounds while I was gone but it was 40 minutes we would have liked back at the end of the day as we only got through half of the Fairytale Forest (it would have been 30 minutes had I not managed to get lost on my way back to our meeting point...) As long as Zachary is up to it we’ll go back and do that in the morning.
If you are not familiar with De Efteling it is a fun-park with a fairytale theme that has been around for 60 odd years. Some things haven’t changed much and many of the old favourites are still there, along with new attractions. The Droomvlught (Dream Flight) was the overall favourite but we also enjoyed the carousels, the spinning cauldrons and the other rides we went on. Only Fata Morgana – a trip through the East – was not successful in that Zachary found it a bit scary. We stayed until closing, finishing by watching the excellent
water fountain show (longest in Europe, 3
rd longest in the world) before buying some toys and a souvenir book then heading back and straight to bed for our exhausted boy. We’ll decide on a plan for tomorrow in the morning. We need to get to Amsterdam at some stage – ideally around the middle of the day so we can do at least one thing, but it will all depend on amount of sleep and state of health.
Enjoy the photos!
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