Trip Holland and Belgium in Springtime - Day 3

Wednesday April 8

Amazing the good night’s sleep we both had. When we both were awake after 8 am James made a coffee for us. Then he proof-read the blog so I could post it.

Did you enjoy reading? You know I love your comments. 

We really enjoyed not having an agenda today and could just be "floating along". When we were ready we went across the street to the bakery. It was difficult to make a decision what to have. Evrything looked so good. And this is only half of the display.

I wonder what James was telling me there. 

The chicken sausage in fill was not quite that long?

Back to the room and packing. It went quite well. 

We had originally thought of walking because it is not that far but decided otherwise. James' suitcase had a problem wheel. Cobblestones could make it worse and there is no need to be miserable. The hotel called a taxi for us. The driver was very nice but even though we had a full address and he found the street he could not find the ship. We asked him to stop because we were sure that it could really not be far. He was were nice and the fair was only 15 Euros. 

We went across the street and looked along the river. A man come along the quay towards us from where two boads were tied up and we asked him. He didn't think that one was what we were looking for. He was very nice and then continued his way. We took a bit of a closer look but then turned around. Just then a young couple come towards us from the other side, so we asked them too. They were so very friendly but didn't know where the "S14" spot in our address directions where. 

Immidiately the young man took his phone and was dialing while explaining that a friend was working for a ship company and he was going to ask him even though "he was most likely still sleeping". The friend answered but didn't know either. 

Just then the man we had asked first came running back saying that he had found the ship and pointed it out the other way. There was now a bus in front of it which clearly was an indication too. Of course we thanked him very much.

So it was time to part with the young couple too since the problem seemed to be solved. We still had a lively converstion with them. We said how friendly everybody was in Antwerp. People never seemed to be bothered but always trying to help.  Thanking them profusely I said that this would make a wonderful story and they might end up in my blog. He said that would be great and I said that I didn't have a photo though. I suggested that I should take it, they stood left and right next to James and then waved goodbye.

We had to leave the quay to walk just a little along the street because there was a break in the quay. We were later told by one of the trip leaders that there was a canal which once had entered the river there. 

We were also later told by the captain to be careful when leaving the ship. The river has such a high difference in the tide because being close to the ocean that you might come back and not see it = low behind the wall. That is the case here. You can hardly see the ship.

We were seen from the ship and quickly helped on board. As always everything was "smooth sailing" from here. We unpacked and made ourselves comfortable. Had all sorts of orientations and the captain had his safety talk/video. We were divided into 4 different groups for the excursions which means there are 4 Trip Leaders. We are in the blue group and Randy is our leader. But we already knew that from his email and telephone call.

Dinner was about 7 pm. It is always served and several courses. Appetizer, soup, three entrees to choose from and a dessert. Oh my...

James had the "Volendammer" (Dutch grilled marinated chicken breast arranged on "Stamppot Endivi", Creamy Salsify and Carrots etc)

I had the fish (Pan Fried Kingklip on Truffle Leek, Potato Ragout with Parsley Cream Sauce) 

I had to google on the fish Kingklip. Interesting.

My dessert was a chocolate mousse. Well, we are in Belgium!

We had great dinner conversation with Cynthia, Jim and Kate at our table. Cynthia and Jim had both been educators at an university in Savannah, Georgia. When we chatted about previous trips with GCCL/OAT we discovered that we had done the same trip to Turkey but 10 years apart and had the same trip leader Aykut. We all had liked him and when I later read up about that trip on my blog I discovered that I had discribed him exactly the same: very nice, very caring and very hyper. Those had been Cynthia's words too. It was a nice evening.

Leaving the dining room we enjoyed the sunset for a while. 

Back in the cabin I realized I had not taken a photo of what we found when we arrived. Complimentary champagne as a thank-you for being repeated travelers. (Sorry it does not look as nice as we found it any more.) Ha-ha, I wonder what we should do with it???

Chocolate on each pillow.

Night, night. What do you think about the different happenings today?

A trip is starting - Day 1 and 2

Monday April 6

Finally the day is here. On trip blogs I better include the date. I never know when I can post something. Yes, and now I better hurry up before my eyes can't stay open any longer.

We had our friend Dariush ask in church whether he wanted to be our driver. He drives for Uber and Link and he certainly wanted to do it. We had scheduled him for 7 am and given him a gate card to swip it for easy entry. He was very punktual and we were ready. Sarah and Wade had recently flown and said it was way to early but traffic can be quite unpredictable and news about Flughavens in the US were very unfavorable. Oh, the politics. Datiush came even a bit earlier and gave us the gate card back because I like to have them if it happens like at our very last trip where we didn't catch the last flight. That time we really lucked out because since it was the airlines fast that took good care of us and brought us from Washington D.C. home all the way with a driver. 

When we were at the gate and everything totally ok we finally could relax and decided to have some breakfast. We didn't wanted much but we certainly didn't make a good choice. It was very grease and I lost my appetite. 

There was some commotion at the gate because a gate person was talking to some ladies that there was a program with an IT program. Our flight was not even listed in their computers as happening. But it all got sorted out. Yes, waiting.

And finally seated about 10:50 am leaving Richmond for Chicago. I like having a window seat because I find everything so interested. 

This picture, glimps of Chicago taken 11:49 AM. Hard to do the math when flying because we changed timezones frequently. 

We had a very large layover there and debated about what to do but came quickly to the conclusion to see whether we can buy one of those want-time tickets. Yes we could and taked about it afterwards that it had been so worth it. Food and drinks were now free and lots of other amenities (and concidering the awful breakfast for a price not to mention...)

They even had alcohol-free beer.

And we played our card game.

It was getting dark when we boarded the next flight and I took a lot of photos of a strange cloud formation and stranger light.

Our seats were excellent (bulk head). I watched one movie and tried another which was not my taste. Mainly we both like to follow the flight, get statistics and see the map.

The food and service was so-so, but they had a medical emergency. No blame then. Doesn't do any good.

Tuesday April 7

Not much sleep, I never do even with ta good seat but the sun in the morning was different. Bloodred and seem to come out of the water and dip back done again several time. Impossible to take a good photo because spiegelungen from the cabin.

Soon after view onto Belgium and Brussels were interesting too.

We were pretty much on time and all seem good but then we stood in line for more than 2 hours for the passport control. Oh how James and I wished that England was still in the EU because there was no line. Anyway, it was quite awful. At our age the standing still for so long is agony. Walking we can do easier. It was a relieve when it was finally over and the actual passport part didn't take even 3 minutes for us.

Our suitcases were already on the carousel and we asked at the information desk how to get tickets for the train and were to go for that etc. Information was quick and easy. The tickets for both of us were $27 we got out of a machine. We went down to platform 1 and had to wait only for 11 minutes. Everywhere we found friendly people who gave us information and were happy to chat.

The luggage was a bit awkward but again a young man moved to give us space. It must have been a speedy train because it stopped only two times in-between and it only took about 30 minutes and we were in Antwerp Central. 

I took only a few pictures but it was so interesting. Would have liked to know what that tower was? 

And many houses, even obviously older ones, had solar panels on the roof.

The train ended here which was nice because we didn't feel to hurried with the luggage.

The Station was a gorgeous building. There was also a tourist information which gave us information/options how to get to the hotel. 

We opted for walking. It was less than a mile. The weather was lovely, it was short before 1 pm and we were tempted to stop for some refreshment. Yes, alcohol free!

We checked into our Hotel Hilton Antwerp Old Towne. It is in the perfect place. We enjoyed Antwerp after a shower and some clothes changes. 

Most photos are probably self-explanatory. This of course got my attention. Antwerp's last and only lace shop seems to be closing. The lady inside (owner, I am sure) told me that there are not enough lacemakers to make the lace for selling. Her inventory was incredibly marked down and I bought 3 little pieces which ended up to almost not being enough for a credit card because I didn't have my cash Euros with me yet. 

This mannequin in front of the shop was saying "I am not making lace any longer and selling everything marked down".

Gone back to the hotel to rest and played cards in the lobby. After two nights with not much sleep I was very tired but it was just to early to "call it a night". 

We decided to go out once again. May be a soup or salad? 

The Australian icecream shop is across from the hotel. We could not go passed. It was not even 8 pm.

I started writing on this blog and it went pretty well. But ... night night ....

Holy Week

Holy Week, a week were we like to be home because the events/celebrations in our church are so very meaningful. And of course it started with Palm Sunday.

But first on Monday we also got the email from our Trip Leader Randy, introducing himself, giving us info how we can reach him if we have questions and when he would call us. We always get a call since we are multi-time repeating travelers. Attached to the email was already helpful information. We had 2 "big" questions (about the train from Brussels to Antwerp and 1-night hotel in Antwerp) and they were also already answered. All an excellent start. 

Tuesday and Wednesday James and I were very busy with all the arrangements for the Seder Meal at church. After experiencing one in Gilbertsville at KY Lake with Pastor Will we had arranged one here 3 years ago. Some church friends kept asking for us to do it again. Lee was all for it this year.

39 had signed up. I had to print and bind some more booklets. Go shopping. Prepere some of the special things needed for the celebration. Otherwise it was a potluck. I was very touched that some of our members even had consulted with the internet to make and bring more seder traditional food.

Amazon came through for me. Trip Leader Randy had suggested to have some item of very orange (Dutch colors) in our luggage. A wooly cap? ....

...and a fascinator. 

Thursday was pedicure day. Need to be ready to walk the walks. Well yes ... Dutch colors again.

Thursday I also got the surprise from my Bergina. Lovely flowers. 

And it was a really good walking day. We ended up finally having 10,000+ steps again. Yeah!

And I finally spyed a flower on my lilly-of-the-valley.

The Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm of course is always very moving with the stripping of the Alter.

Good Friday tradition usually calls for hot cross buns but they were all sold out quickly. The nice lady told us that they had Easter bread left which basically was the same, just a different shape and not white cross. Well, here in the USA they mostly use sweet icing/frosting instead the plain flour and water so this Easter bread was a good alternative for us.

Note to Christa: next year homebaked Hot Cross Buns again!!!

Service of the Station of the Cross was at 6 pm outside in the Memorial Garden, followed by Good Friday service at 7 pm.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning we finally started thinking about what we needed for our trip. Clothes were sorted, washed, or even sorted out. Amazing what you find when you start systematically. 

And things needed to be used up out of the refrigerator. 

Not to start cooking something new we met with Martha and Jerry at Kickback Jack's at 5:15pm. James had Fish and Chips which he really liked because it was done with flounder fillet. I had the New Orleans Pasta which was a little spicy and very tasty. But we were done too quickly and too early at the church. We all had thought that the service was at 7 pm like all the others. There were plenty of friends there though to chat with.

Saturday service is very special too. It started at 8 pm with the lighting of the fire from which the large candle is lit. The one who carries it to the altar area stops three times and sings "the Light of Christ".

Sarah, Wade and the boys joined us on Sunday for the Easter service. Afterwards we had pictures taken with our phones. And it started raining. 

Afterwards James and I went quick to our house to change and then to Midlothian. We were invited to lunch. We chatted with the children especially about there spring break trip and it was all very nice. 

And then it was time for us to say our good-byes because we had to get serious about packing now.