When in Rome...

Hi all you awesome people!  It has been a WHILE!!!  Where to start?!  It has been a hectic 5 weeks…  I have been working on a deadline interim audit, and this meant many nights with very little sleep!!  The highlight of these 5 weeks, was having a long weekend after all the work, and we jet-setted off to Rome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was definitely one of my best trips EVER!!!!  But let me not get ahead of myself…  We left Amsterdam at 21:00 on Friday evening and had quite an eventful flight!  The worst turbulence of my life!!  We made it to Rome in 1 piece and then headed to the apartment which would be our home for the next 4 days…  As it was such a rush getting to the Airport and our flights on time, we only went in search of dinner at 00:00 J  When in Rome…  We went to a cute little restaurant at 00:30 and ate Pizza!  It was amazing, true Italian style J

Saturday we had a big tourist day…  Started off on a hop on, hop off tour.  If you ever visit Rome, I would really recommend this, as this is definitely a cheaper way of travelling…  You can use the bus, metro and tram, and the route is designed to take you past all the big tourist attractions.   We started off at the Colloseum…  What an amazing structure this is!!!!  It absolutely takes your breath away seeing it from up close…  We went on a guided tour of the Colloseum – took some funny photos with dressed up Romans, and also visited the Roman Forum.  The Pope still does a blessing in the Colloseum every Good Friday on Easter Weekend, in memory of all Christians who were persecuted for their faith…  I walked inside the Colloseum thinking – if these walls could talk?!  I think that if we were able to have a chat to someone who lived during that time, we would not believe the stories of what they experienced…   It must have been quite something, millions (it seems) of years ago ;) 

After this we went to see the Roman Forum.  It was AMAZING!!  I never knew that tourists were allowed to go in there…  To sum it up – it is this amazing garden, with ruins all over…  The tour guide told us, that Rome only has two metro’s…  Every time they start working on a third, they just find more ruins under the ground J  How amazing is that?!!  We walked around after our guided tour ended, and we had some amazing panoramic views of Rome from Palentine hill (inside the Roman Forum)…  See some of the pictures I attach!  Inside the Roman Forum, the summer house of Mussolini is also located.  Our tour guide said that the sad thing was – Mussolini never had time to actually spend at this house, since World War 2 started just after this house was built…

After our visit to the Roman Forum, we saw a cute little Café overlooking the Colloseum.   We went there and had a glass of red wine (Khianti (true Italian red wine – you can buy it at Woolies – so make sure to treat yourself sometime!)), while watching the lights go on…  It was amazing – and felt quite surreal sitting there, experiencing something that peaceful, and beautiful, with awesome friends as company! 

Sunday was an even bigger tourist day for us!  We got up, and went for coffee at a cute coffee bar…  Italian coffee = good J  My weakness in life…  After this we basically did a walking tour (by ourselves) of Rome…  It was amazing!  We came to Piazza Venezia and saw a huge square, with a MASSIVE canvas where little kids were painting and playing with soccer balls, which some people were handing out.  We grabbed some paint brushes, and the chartered accountants gave outing to their “artistic side” for a while J  I add some pictures J  It was a lot of fun!!!

We carried on with the road less travelled J, visiting small stores, and eventually made our way to the Pantheon.  One of the oldest churches in Europe…  This church has a hole in it’s roof!   We did an audio tour (ear piece, giving you some history) of the Pantheon, and the history behind it was really amazing!  The architecture of the church, inspired St Peters Bascilica as well as numerous other churches throughout Europe.  There are holes in the marble flooring, and the rain water drains through the floor…  See pics J

Next stop, Piazza Novona, and Trevi Fountain!!  That was AMAZING!!!  There were sooo many people, it was actually insane!  There is this tradition that if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, this will ensure your return to Rome…  Our group of friends participated in this old tradition – was so much fun J  Interesting fact – all money taken from the Trevi Fountain are donated to charity J

From there we headed to the Spanish steps!  There were people sitting everywhere…  We made our way all the way to the top, got us a front row seat on the wall, bought some sundowners and admired the sunset, overlooking Rome!  This is definitely one of my top 10 moments of 2011!!!!  Really felt blessed experiencing a moment like that, with great friends!  For dinner, we went for Pizza, again J  at a very cute Italian place. 

Monday we did some shopping, and visited the Vatican city, as well as St Peters Bascilica…  Was a wonderful  experience!!!!  If you are a history lover, then Rome is definitely the place for you!!  On Monday evening we visited a little restaurant recommended by Jamie Oliver on his website.  Strangely enough, it was not really located in the tourist areas – it was in a more quiet area…  It was amazing food, amazing wine, and even better desert!  Pastacio crème brule!  SOOOO nice!! Yum, yum…  It was a very special end to our unbelievable weekend!! 

But wait, there is more!!  When we got back to the apartment, we saw this cute little restaurant / bar - underground...  It was the place of the nicest Italian.  He reminded me of my grandad J  We went in and saw he sold Papst Beer – a beer made in honour of the Pope.  We shared two beers between the four of us, drinking out of a glass with the Pope’s face on it…  So much fun!!  See some pics.  Was really THE perfect end, to the MOST perfect weekend!!!!

Update time :)

Hi all my awesome friends!

 

Sorry that it has been so long!!  Things going a bit hectic on this side :)  I am currently working on a deadline engagement, so time is very limited.  But still having a blast, and enjoying every moment!!!  Cannot believe I have been here for 2 months already!!

Last weekend we visited Haarlem.  It is a BEAUTIFUL little town, 10 minutes from Amsterdam by train.  There was a market that Saturday, where I found some PURE South-African products - in the form of Mrs Balls chutney and a little stall selling Bobotie pies.  It was good to see a little home away from home :)

Haarlem has a beautiful church, which is located in the middle of the town.  You can see that the seasons are changing - it was EXTREMELY cold there!  You would never say that it was only 10 minutes from Amsterdam!  The temperature difference was enormous! :)

Last week I was in Krakow, Poland for work.  We left on the Monday evening, but as there are no direct flights we had to take a flight to Munich, and then a connecting flight to Krakow, Poland.  When we got to Munich our flight was delayed!  Which meant we only got to the hotel at 12:00 :)...  Got to bed by 1:30 on the Monday evening!  Needless to say - VERY tired :).  This is definitely a place I would like to go back to and sight see and travel a bit.  As we were quite busy with work, I did not get to see as much as I would have liked.  We went for dinner one night at a BEAUTIFUL square.  There were flower vendors everywhere - very pretty!  The one guy on our team told me that in the summer time, you can barely move on that square because the tourists sits everywhere at the cafe's and the weather in the summer time is 30 degrees +.            
 Krakow... Poland...

 We received one extra hour in our day today, as our time was adjusted for day light savings time...  So we are now an hour behind you South-Africans :)  I woke up this morning, and my phone automatically changed an hour earlier :)  When I looked at my watch it was and hour later!  Very confusing :)  I met up with some friends of my parents for breakfast this morning at DAM square.  We went to a awesome little coffee shop right on DAM square - at t' Nieuwe Kafe.  Was awesome having some South-African visitors in Amsterdam :)  Hope to see many more of you here soon!!!  May you guys have a BLESSED week, filled with ONLY beautiful things!!!

Koln... oftewel Cologne... :)

I heard today - "it's about time you write something on your blog again :)"  So here it is!  Hope all of you fantastic people are doing well!!

Last weekend, after a busy week at work, 6 of us hired a car (left hand steer and all!) and drove down to Koln, in Germany.  After what I heard people say, I thought it was going to be a small little town!  Big was my surprize!!  We also got a small little taste as to HOW COLD this winter is going to be!  It was FREEZING in Cologne!  I think the temperature dropped to something like 3 degrees in the evenings, and an icy wind during the day...

As Germany is known for their good beer, we went to go and see for ourselves upon our arrival.  We went to a PURE German bar, and had a Stiefel beer...  Check out the photo's of how the walls looked...


The team :)



 

 Being german...     

On the Saturday we went TOURIST and explored all Cologne had to offer...  I saw one of the most BEAUTIFUL churches ever!!!!  It is a magnificent structure!  We climbed the steps to the top of the church tower - 533 steps (up) and 533 steps down.  It was a good workout!  Check some pictures!

 The church took 500 years to build...
 
The picture above is half way on our way to the top of the tower :)  Europe is making us fit!!  We don't even look as if we climbed over 300 steps already :)

This is some of the picturesque buildings which Cologne has to offer!  It's really beautiful!

 

We had a Bratwurst for lunch.  This is a TRUE traditional German food.  It is like a hotdog on a panini, served with mustard.  We had some trouble at the snack bar, as they got our order totally messed up...  Saying we only paid for 4 items, after we actually paid for 5!  And the fith person had to wait over half an hour, just to find out that his lunch was not coming!! After walking around, exploring the shops ect, we took a cable car, which goes over the Rhine River, giving you a 360 degree view of Cologne!  It was a really, really awesome experience!!  Something I would recommend if you ever go to Cologne.  It was just over too soon :)  And we also saw a bit more than we paid for :)  A guy swimming naked in his pool!!  Overshare! 

On the Saturday evening we went for a nice dinner, in a small little place, next to the Rhine River.  It was COLD!  We sat outside, as almost every place we tried was fully booked.  There was some blankets and heaters, so at least we had some protection against the cold :)  Was great fun!!

                       

 On our way back home on Sunday we stopped in Dusseldorf, and at some Ruins that used to be a castle.  All of these places seems like places you read about in kids storybooks...  Enchanted castles / castle ruins... If the walls could talk!  I wish we could know some of the stories of these old places...

We had some YUMMY pancakes, and then hit the road back home...  It was an awesome weekend, thanks to some great friends!!  Really feel blessed!!!  Hope you will have a GREAT week further!!  Talk soon!

Me, posing in "what used to be" a castle... :)
 having some good coffee and pancakes :)
      

                    
                     
I just loved this car!!  Had to pose :)

True bliss!!

Hey all you awesome people!  Hope that you are doing well!  This past weekend was true bliss!  We took it a bit slowER and just had a "recharge your battery" type of weekend...

Friday night was movie night at the PATHE at Rembrandt square...  We are becoming locals there :)  Me and my flatmate Carien, went to see One day - with Anne Hathaway...  Romance...  Sad...  Need I say more?! :)

On Saturday morning we went to Amsterdam Bos (something like Kirstenbosch in Cape Town - VERY BEAUTIFUL, tranquil and peaceful), and we visited the SPA Suiver...  Went for a relaxation massage - it was true bliss!!  After our outing to the SPA, we went for lunch overlooking the canal where the people practise their rowing.  It was this little cozy coffeeshop, and as it was raining outside, it was true awesomeness!! 

Brace yourself...  Saturday night we had SOKKIE - South-African style :)  We "lang-arm-ed" on songs like KAPTEIN, Baby chocklits, Speeltjie ect...  Was a little home away from home.  When you hear Afrikaans being spoken over here, it feels like you have found long lost family members.  It is such a blessing!! 

Sunday morning we went PATRIOTIC again, and got up just after six! to go and support the Bokke.  This was some REAL dedication, as we did not sleep much after the sokkie, and still had to travel to friends to watch the game.  But, armed with coffee we went to support our Boys...  Very sad about the result!!!  My heart was shattered into a million little pieces :( 

Quintus and his wife, Carla took us with them to church (they have a car, so for once we skipped the public transport), and afterward we went for pancakes at Boerderij Meerzicht in the Amsterdam Bos.  It was an AWESOME expierence!  You feel as if you are transported into a whole new world...  It is secluded place in the forest...  Was really cool!  Check some pics :)

 This made me think of Psalm 23....

The roomies in red...

Pro golfer...

So I got some time on my hands a bit sooner...  Last week was a full one...  I missed out some of the parts because I got the flu and was sick in bed...  :(  Luckily I brought some antibioticks with from South-Africa, as I have heard that it is very difficult to get some here in Amsterdam...  The doctors apparently just tell you to drink lots of water, vitamin C and sleep...

Let's get back to last week...  I work in the Consumer business department at Deloitte...  We had a Consumer business function, so as to welcome everyone to the department, and to get to know your colleauges a bit better...  For this, Deloitte organized a golf day.  It was in Permurend - about an hours travel with public transport...  We got there a little bit late, as the golf course was situated almost a 30minute walk from the train station :)  It was one of the most beautiful "summer's days"...  Really felt blessed!!  We got some lessons, on the driving range (I signed myself up for the golf lessons - as I have never held a golf club in my life - apart from "caddying" for my dad - waaaayyy back when...)  My one friend, Berne (also a new recruit from SA), gave me some pointers when we were on the driving range - "head down, bend your knees a little ect..."  I applied the pointers, and my shots weren't half bad!  We joined up with the group our Partner (whom we work for mostly), was in.  My colleauges thought that I was lying, about not playing golf before.  Had some great fun!!  We had dinner afterward. 

We had to introduce ourselves in front of the whole group.  We were just two South-African's joining up with consumer business department, and when the partner introduced us, he referred to us, as the "two special cases" all the way from SA...  The partner then had a surprize - three prizes for the day...  1. For the person who organized the whole day; 2. For best professional golfer of the day, and 3.  The best "amateur" of "aanmoedigings prijs" (in Dutch)...  All the way from South-Africa...  I won number 3 :)  Got a bottle of French Champangne!!  Check out my bottle below...

The two special cases in Consumer Business, all the way from South-Africa...









My prize :) :) :)