Hey from Rotterdam!

So we arrived on a really quick hispeed train from Amsterdam which we were sort of sad to say farewell to, but it definitely was time to move on.

Impressions about Amsterdam: Really loved it. It was such an interesting mix of different people from everywhere. The social interactions are so different there because of their tolerance towards so many different things. It is kind of bizarre. But I love how everyone seems so family oriented, and parents seem to really spend time with their children doing things. And the fact that more people ride bikes there then drive is FABULOUS! You can really zip around the city with one tiny little bike!

So after our fiasco with that stupid hotel which is called the "Quentin Arrive" for anyone who is ever thinking of staying there... don't; we made our way to this great room on the other side of the city at a Best Western which ended up being SO comfortable and nice. And our view was so pretty!!

So our time there was great. I would definitely recommend seeing it and riding down the beautiful canal lined streets for yourself. It is wonderful!

Some sights we saw while there were the Anne Frank Huis (house) where the family actually stayed in secret until they were ousted by someone still unknown. It was quite an interesting place to see, it really gave you a feel for what life was like, they blacked out all the windows just how it would have been so long ago.

Another thing we did which was SO interesting was we went to the "House of Bols" The tour was so cool! You could see the original Bols recipe book, smell all flavours of Bols and much more! plus, when you finish the exhibit you get a cocktail made from a pro bartender trained at their world renown bartending school! Plus, we each got a shot of any flavour of bols liqueur or their genever which has like 43% alcohol in it! Needless to say, we got a little tipsy and it was pretty fun!

So now we're in Rotterdam, we thought there would be way more things to do here, but we have already seen the big museum (which was pretty incredible) that housed Monet, Rembrandt, even some Dali and so many other influential and famous artists. It was so great. I think though, the best Gallery was the National Art Gallery in London. And that one was free! So tomorrow we're heading to Delft for an afternoon trip and that should be so neat, hopefully the weather holds for us.

Here's Vlad!

Hey all :)

As my lovely already mentioned we have moved on from the Dam, I certainly enjoyed myself there.. found that it was very relaxing and laid back and that in the time we were there we really had a chance to relax after all the hussle in London.

Honestly, driving bikes around the streets and getting lost with Mia via bicycle is not something I will soon forget. What a great experience that was!

So now we're in Rotterdam and though the city has loads of history you wouldn't see much of it just by going around the city.. I mean, its nice and all, but very non-touristy. Its amazing how in Amsterdam, whether in town or at the train station or wherever, people spoke English really well and most signage is in English as well as other languages, yet you come here to Rotterdam and suddenly everything is just in Dutch 100%! Not that this bothers me, but as a 'tourist' I find that this city doesn't make it particularly easy for people who don't speak the language.

In any event, we're glad to be back on the road and fortunately our place here in Rotterdam, though older, is still quite nice.

Once we leave here we will be in Antwerp for two days and then in Brussels for a day. Many people have told us to go to Bruges but I think that may be a bit out of the way and will just cost us more in travel. Plus I already saw "In Bruges" so technically I've been there already. :)

Too late and to lazy/tired/bored to get out the camera and do the whole picture thing now, but I definitely will next post.

Toodles for now!