Prague

We arrived in Prague by plane from Amsterdam about noon today. Age sometimes has its advantages… I got offered a seat on the bus at the airport (said no thanks) but once in Prague we were told transit is free for seniors no matter where you are from! 

After figuring out the bus, the subway and which stop to get off, and with help from Google, we found our hotel, the Hastal. Dropped our bags and set off exploring. 

Prague is amazing. Street after street has beautiful buildings, statues, and spires everywhere. 

The sun is shining! First statue Franz Kafka.

Next a walk across the Vltava river. 

Lots of riverboats. 
Unbeknownst to us or at least not paying close attention to details…..this is the May 1 holiday and it is busy!! We thought the King’s Day in Holland was crowded but Prague is packed!!!

So off to see the Charles Bridge, built in 1357 but not finished till the 15th century, is a medieval arch stone bridge. And EVERYONE wants to cross it. 

Lots of statues of saints and patron saints. This one looked important. 

Now once across we all have to file through an archway, slowly!!

It was amazing how many people were out and about and enjoying such a perfect day. 

Now to the Old Town Square. Everywhere you look has history. 

It was time for a Czechia lunch. Only 374.00 Kč

Delicious sausage in sweet and spicy tomato sauce. It went perfectly with the beer. 

When in Prague one should see the Astronomical Clock. It was first installed 1410. This is what we saw today.🙄 

This is what it does look like (Wikipedia).

Our view 

Off for more walking about and found another clock tower ( no crowds).

We walked to the Jewish Quarter but since it was late in the day we only did a walkabout. We did come upon a market right near the Rudolfnum, a 19th century cultural concert hall and where the Ceska Philharmonic orchestra performs.

Dinner was from a market vendor. Delicious! 

Time to head for our hotel room. Yellow bunny had one last look at the castle on the hill. 

Our perfect bed! Two duvets so no fighting over the bedding arrangements.

Back to Amsterdam

After my favourite breakfast of muesli hi and yogurt we left Nijmegen for Amsterdam. The sun is out!!! We had to remove layers down to a t-shirt. It was wonderful and it is looking good for the next two weeks. 

Amsterdam was a total zoo today. If the King’s Day brought in thousands of party animals, today was full of tourists and shoppers. Every place was packed with people enjoying the sunshine, food and touring.

We started with a treat at the Bijenkorf before facing the crowds. 

When you get tea in the Netherlands, you always get a small cookie… just enough for a small bunny? 

We are leaving early tomorrow morning for Prague so decided to do some last minute shopping- a power pack, an extra top and of course snacks.

Norm can’t resist good art work. Maybe once we are back this way for more of Eddy Varekamp.

Nearby is Anne Franks house. Huge crowds! We’ve both seen it before and even if we wanted to again, you need to book way in advance. 

Walking through the side streets of the Jordaan you see the most unusual and fun windows! Need a cow? Any kind of cow? 

It doesn’t seem right to have spent a week here and not have at least one photo of a windmill. This one is still in operation not far from Duncan and Lauraine’s home. 

Check that sunshine. We went for a walk to get groceries and play in the park. 

No coat! Tomorrow Bohemia …

Nijmegen today

Up early to take the train to Nijmegen. Probably a good day to be indoors. We arrived by 11:00am greeted by Kees and Dineke Breurkens, Norm’s second cousin. Once back at their home they fed us apple cake with whipped cream and tea/coffee. So delicious and an hour later a full lunch of sliced meats, crusty buns, tuna, apple stroop, raisin bread, Gouda cheese and lots of spreads. 

Time for a walk to work off the lunch. It was a little wet out but we were keen to see how Nijmegen changed the flow of the river to prevent further floods.

We crossed the bike/walking/train bridge, just above their heads in the photo. Nijmegen took over some farm lands and houses to build a new channel so when the river got too high, the excess water found a way to escape and not flood the land. Strong opposition at first but now it is well received and has become a place for families to enjoy. Looking from the bridge you can see Nijmegen across the Maas River, part of the Rhine system.

Even through the grey skies you can see river cruise boats getting ready to continue their journey 

You don’t see too many on the deck.

As we walked along the new green spaces, the town has placed art pieces. A tiny house on a stump?

Really interesting was the mask…..

Now look at the close up. 

Fascinating. We now walked back to Nijmegen across a different bridge for people and cars.

Again through the clouds you can see Nijmegen and the first bridge we crossed. 

The weather got a bit better as we headed home. 

Yellow Bunny didn’t mind the rain nor this police man.

A little rest and now more food! Dinner started with an African Pumpkin soup.

I ate half before I thought to take a photo. The main course was a lasagna like dish of sliced potatoes, ground beef, tomatoes, zucchini, spices and topped with cheese. A perfect hot dish for a cold and wet day.

And to finish it off, mango, caramel sauce, crushed biscotti and yogurt dessert!! 

Great hospitality. Back to Amsterdam tomorrow.

King’s Day

Today is King’s Day! We didn’t see the king but we sure saw a lot of orange. The Dutch royal family is from the House of Orange so that explains it, I guess. 

We started our day by avoiding Amsterdam and took the train to Haarlem, much smaller. Duncan and Lauraine have friends there who also have young children. I’m not sure what we were expecting but this was full carnival style! 

In the town centre plaza there was a huge Ferris wheel, carousels, games and more. Last time we stayed right there near the cathedral we only saw a market set up. Odessa had her first carousel ride. Hard tell if she found it enjoyable. 

Check the red white and blue colours of the Dutch flag.

What makes King’s Day are the garage sales. Anyone can set up on the street to sell. You will find everything for sale! Note the orange…..

Exciting as Haarlem was, we decided we should experience Amsterdam’s King’s Day. So we left the young families and caught the train to town along with everyone who could possibly fit in the train. It was packed with singing, lots of drinking and lots of young people!! We were definitely the oldest on this train. 

There were thousands and thousands of people in Amsterdam! Most everyone was drinking. Since it was only 1 p.m. the crowds weren’t at all rowdy….yet. 

And wait there’s more

Truly a sea of people and orange! 

We walked up and down a few streets watching the fun, dancing, bands playing and lots of drinking.

Yellow Bunny fit right in 

The canals are full of party boats. It is amazing no one falls in, at least not yet.

Time to head home but we thought we would hit one more town, Zaandam. It is only 3 km from Koog aan de Zaan. We did a walk through the town centre and then walked home. It was time to relax after 16,670 steps today!