Netherlands & Amsterdam

While my parents were in town in May, we planned a trip to the Netherlands & Amsterdam! Our goal was to see the spectacular fields of Holland tulips. Online it says the season goes until mid-may, but they should really let you know they dead-head every last tulip the last week of April. #fail. Mom and I were so disappointed- but luckily we stumbled upon Keukenhof Gardens which had the most BEAUTIFUL display of flowers I have ever seen. Almost completely tulips- I was blown away at the variety of types, colors, heights, texture… they were all so different and planted in the most unique ways! We just could not get over it. Before we even hit the gardens though, and realized that those were the only tulips lefts in the Netherlands, we had the best lunch… ON THE BEACH! First of all, I am not really sure I even realized there were beaches there. We drove into Noordwijk to start our “tulip drive” north and were hungry, so I pop onto Trip Adviser and see “Moments Beach” and immediately shout “FOUND A LUNCH PLACE- TAKE A LEFT!” In just a few minutes we had parked and were walking up a sand dune lined pathway that crested and revealed a huge wide open (pet-friendly) white sand beach leading to dark water, waves crashing in. We settled into a patio table in the sunshine and had a delicious meal and a few drinks. I discovered what they call “Broodjes” thinking I was ordering a flatbread that was in fact just a warm sandwich in this amazing “brown bread”. My sandwich included a HUNK of goat cheese, honey, walnuts and arugula. So simple. So divine. I don’t even remember what everyone else got. Wait- I take that back, Dad got a “Toasti” ha! I swear I thought he was ordering off the children’s menu. Toasti = panini. Good to know! With full bellies and a happy heart (you know this girl LOVES the beach) Michael and I ran down to the ocean to put our toes in! Feet in the North Sea = CHECK! It was FREEZING by the way- feet went numb within seconds. We made our way back to the car, and then the gardens, before checking into our unique AirBnb later that evening. It was this cute little brick rental property right on the dock. Like you walk out the back door to a dock that is on the water in this little marina. Pretty cool! We scored some beautiful sunsets and even a fierce rain storm over that water. That evening we were all pretty wiped so we literally walked to the nearest restaurant, .5 miles down the road, attached to a hotel. It was a bit on the fancy side, but the food was well worth it! Michael got the surprise menu and accidentally ate the free appetizer they brought everyone thinking it was the first course of his meal. Jimbo will never let him live that one down. The power even went out towards the end of our meal! It was off for a good few minutes but it made the already intimate restaurant super cozy. We waited it out, had our amazing desserts and drove back in the beginning of the rain that would be off and on the rest of the weekend.

The next morning we were on a hunt for the famed Dutch Pancakes. After looking for a restaurant that I am not convinced does not exist (mom found in her research) we ended up fighting traffic (and by traffic I mean about 100 million people on bikes) to the Pancake Bakery- basically like eating at Piccadilly Café in NY or Bubba Gump Shrimp at Navy Pier. Good, overpriced, all tourists, but something you just gotta do. (Well Michael would disagree- but they “pancakes” aka crepes were pretty tasty- just SUPER sweet). After a rocky morning we had an enjoyable little walk around Amsterdam checking out the crazy architecture, all the crooked buildings and sidewalks that drop straight off into the water- no guard rail included.

After Amsterdam we headed to this little spot called The Simonehoeve- a dumpy looking warehouse that sells Netherland cheese and wooden shoes- but they will teach you how the cheese and shoes are made and let you sample teeny tiny pieces of cheese before they dump you into the extensive giftshop selling their wares. I will say the cheese was actually delicious and Michael and I bought a young and old Gouda and mom get her a pair of wooden shoes… to plant flowers in 😉 I could tell Dad was just having the time of his life, we practically had to drag him away (#sarcasm.) Next we were off to the adorable (yet tour bus ridden) island of Marken. What an adorable fishing village with beautiful little homes, pastures of cows and sheep, an old lighthouse, and inviting cafes and restaurants. Michael and I went on the hunt to rent bikes since you cannot drive around the island but apparently it was “off season” (I didn’t realize May was off season for Europe???) so they were not open #Bummer. But we got to walk around and even did a little shopping at the cute little grocery store on the island. (you know, wine, cheese, fruit and crackers- the essentials for a good AirBnb stay.) On the way to Marken we had passed through an awesome little town called Watertown- and Dad wanted to go back to check it out. Zero tour busses here- nothing but rows and rows of adorable brick homes, shops and restaurants right on the water. We strolled the streets and I even snuck in a few minutes of shopping (#win!) Our strolling led us to Bob & Co. for dinner. Mom & Dad got the Fish n Chips that caught our attention on the sign and I got… you guessed it, another goat cheese and honey Broodje! I could get used to this. After an early dinner we raced back to the car just in time to get poured on… but just a little. Back at the AirBnb we got warm and cozy, watching the rain mix with the sunset over the water- even saw a big beautiful rainbow out back! We played Spades (thank you Katie and Riley!) for a few hours before calling it a night. Oh and Mom and Dad kicked our butts. Sneaky.

Marken

Watertown

The next morning we opted to sleep in a little (I think Mom and Dad’s jet lag lasted right up until they were headed home) and just head back home early. The drive was supposed to be almost 6 hours but I swear there was absolutely no traffic and Dad must have been cruisin’ because I feel like it took no more than 4.5 which was a nice change of pace from our Dachau trip (where 4 hours turned into 6.) We scooted by the grocery store- dad treated to some FILETS (we never buy meat that fancy), picked up our ROO BEAR (do I have a problem if I miss my dog so bad it hurts when I am only gone 2 days? Probably) and headed home for a night of grilling out, corn hole, playing in the yard and of course… spades! Mom and Dad beat us AGAIN but it was all my fault when I did not protect Michael when he went Null. #NextTime.