back in Amsterdam...Paris...Amsterdam...

I left two days after Christmas, with my brother and his friend Ernst back to Amsterdam.  They were coming to visit me for new years and the first week in January.  I was on a different flight, but we got into Amsterdam 20 minutes apart. 

The first day in Amsterdam, the two SA guys slept the whole day, as my brother was sick the whole night on their flight to Amsterdam.  I think it was food poisoning…  Not cool!!  The second day, I gave them a walking tour of Amsterdam…  We went to all the major places – Kalver street, Dam Square, Central Station, Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein and Museumplein.  We wanted to visit the Anne Frank house but the que was more than an hour’s wait!  We then decided to go and do the Van Gogh museum, and the evening we went to see a movie at the Pathe Tushinsky (the old Opera house converted into a cinema).  We went to see New Years eve, and sat on the balcony…  It was really awesome J  The place just has a certain magic to it.  The two guys also loved it, and also said – this is definitely a MUST DO in Amsterdam… 

On the Friday morning at 04:35 the alarm sounded and we got up, got ready, and left for Central Station at 05:20…  Our night bus did not show up, so we took a taxi to Amsterdam Central station, as our train for Paris was departing at 06:16.  We got onto the Thalys, and after chatting to the conductor, he moved us to nicer seats (where we could sit across from each other), and also a lot more comfortable than our original seats.  We where headed for Paris for New Years…  Euro Disney for New Years, and then two days in Paris after New Years.

We travelled the whole Friday morning, and got to our hotel at 13:00.  Our hotel had a shuttle service and I phoned them twice, first they told me, get into a white van, and then – get into a black van J  Felt like something out of the movies J  We went for supper at ROMA (Italian food in a French country), but it was AMAZING!  It was this cute little restaurant, with awesome vibe and character!  Felt like Rome in Paris J  We had some nice pizzas, good wine, and GREAT company!!!  Had an early night, as we were already up and going since 4:35 that morning!

31 December 2011

I woke up with the following quote in my head – when was the last time, you did something for the first time?  Embrace the last day of 2011 and live life to the fullest!!  We had an early start, and then headed to Euro Disney!  We visited both parks, and really had a blast J  I felt like a kid again!  But I also realized that I was a lot older, as my heart rate picked up with a few of the rides J  Fun times!!  We did rides, had lunch, lots of laughs, special dinner (consisting of our dreams for 2012, new years resolutions, old resolutions we still need to make true, and “hartsake” (things that make us tick ect)…  All in all just an awesome day.  From 22:30, Carien and I danced all the way till the New Year started.  Everyone gathered around the Disney Palace, as there were to be a big firework show at 00:00.  We got some French champagne, and danced on all the hits the DJ provided us with – girls just wanna have fun, YMCA, Grease ect…  It truly was a New Years for the history books.  We were then blessed with the most magnificent firework show!!  An event I will remember for the rest of my life…  Really feel truly blessed…

 

 

1 January 2012…

My motto for 2012 is the following – a quote I heard in the movie “New Years Eve”…  “What would you do today if you knew, you would not fail?”  Keep that thought, and go out and do it…  I want to challenge you – while you are reading this, to make this your motto for 2012…  Never let anyone make you believe that you are not able, or that you do not have what it takes to do great things…  Through Christ, who gives us strength, all of us are able to achieve great things!! 

We had another big day of travelling from Disney to Paris, and to our new hotel.  Everyone was a bit tired as we have been walking non-stop for the past 3 days.  We decided to kick off the New Year slowly and just travelled to the new hotel and settled in.  We went for an early dinner, and was planning to go up the Eiffel Tower.  But when we got to the Eiffel, the ques were insane, and it was pouring with rain.  We then decided that we would come back early on the 2^nd of January…

 

 2 January 2012…  Paris Tourist day…

We had an early start, and headed to the Eiffel Tower – Take 2…  We got there at 09:30, and the queues were already terrible.  We got into the queue saying “stairs only” and decided to walk all the way to the second level…  669 steps later, we arrived on the second level J  It is really a great experience climbing all the way to level 2…  You have a sense of accomplishment when you reach the second level.  We took some nice pics, and then bought the supplement ticket to the third floor.  This was really an amazing experience!!!  You just get a whole new perspective seeing the whole of Paris from up high…  We met some South-Africans on the third level, and shared a laugh about Sharks vs Stormers rugby J

Our train was leaving on the evening of the 2^nd, so we had one day to maximize doing all the tourist things in Paris.  It was therefore a crash tour of Paris J  After the Eiffel Tower, we made our way to Notre Dam Cathedral…  As the two SA boerseuns needed some food, we first went to Subway for a nice sandwich.  They had footlong breads J 

Notre Dam was an amazing church to visit – the architecture is truly out of this world, and the atmosphere in that Church really took my breath away…  You really experience the presence of God in the church…  Was an amazing experience!!!  From Notre Dam, we did some souvenir shopping, and then headed for the  Champs Elysees (the main shopping street in Paris, and also the street in which the Tour de France finishes).  We walked all the way up the Champs Elysees – when it started pouring with rain!!!  We just decided – when in Rome J  Finished our walk to fame, and then took some nice pics at the Arc de Triomf.  We met some people travelling in Paris from Mexico and California.  They took a group pic for us at the Arc de Triomf – check it out J

Next stop – the Louvre!  We took the subway, and as we were checking our train tickets, the train pulled into the station.  Ernst jumped on, and I saw that Stefan dropped his one glove.  I then stopped to pick it up, Stefan stopped to get on the train when he did not see me on, and the train doors started closing.  Ernst was caught in the door!!!  Was insane, his one arm and chest was stuck.  He then could only get into the train – that was the “only way outJ”…  I just mouthed telling him – we will meet you at the station for the Louvre…  Stefan and I got onto the next train, and all ended well J  Ernst was waiting there…  We took some awesome pics as the sun was setting at the Louvre…  Really was amazing!!  From here we had to head back to the hotel to get our bags from Storage, and then head for Paris Nord to get our train back to Amsterdam.  On our way to the Subway – I was talking to Stefan and not looking where I was going!  Also, I had a hat on my head, and could not see in front of me…  I walked SLAM BAM into a lamp pole…  Hitting my cheekbone extremely hard!!!  There was not even a second to re-cooperate…  I thought I broke my cheekbone with the intensity I hit that pole…  It was a little blue afterward J  I think it would have been a very funny sight!!!! J HAHAHA…  Hopefully I brightened a few people’s days J

PARIS = AMAZING…  City of love, so take your loved one there, and embrace everything this city has to offer!!  I really wish we had some more time to spend there…  WE really had to crash course to just see all the big landmarks in the time we had available…  But all in all – amazing trip!!!  Definitely a MUST do :)  More about the rest of the trip with my awesome bro to follow...

Christmas time...

Christmas

I did not tell anyone, but as I had so many overtime hours, I planned a “secret surprize visit” to South-Africa for Christmas to surprize my parents.  It was a very quick visit, so I apologize for not meeting up with any of you…  I also did not want to have to say goodbye again J  My brother was the only one who knew of the surprize visit.  We had to sneak around terribly!  I really thought that I had to let the cat out of the bag when (two weeks before I were to depart), my brother sent me a text saying – You have to cover – mom is ready to buy a plane to get you home for Christmas!!  She really wants you here!!  I stressed!! J  Together we thought up a story, and both stuck to it.  I convinced my mom that I was planned on audits fully up until the time my brother comes to visit me, so it would be physically impossible to come and visit.  That helped, and my mom stopped looking at plane tickets J

I flew out on a Friday evening…  Got to Schipol way in time for my flight, just to find out that my flight to Frankfurt was delayed by 45 minutes as the plane was delayed at the previous airport.  I had a connecting flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town, so it was really stressfull – if I was late, I would miss the connecting flight, and would then only be able to fly out the next evening!!!  I went to chat to the flight attendant, and they said – don’t worry, you will make your flight.  It was already 20:00, and I needed to get to my other flight at 22:10.  Frankfurt was still an hour and 10 minutes away and I had to go through passport control there…  Just after the lady told me – you will make your flight, they announced that the flight was further delayed with another 15 minutes…  And also a gate change…  Was an absolute nightmare!!  Got onto the flight and was stressed the whole time!!  I met a South-African who sat right in front of me, who already found out at which gates we needed to be to board for Cape Town.  Just before we descended, they read a list of flights which people already missed their connection, and it was said that the people was already booked onto connecting flights the next day.  I sat there praying that Cape Town would not pop up, and I was in luck J  The South-African with me, then told me we need to make a run for it.  21:50, and our flight was leaving at 22:10.  Again, running in high heels with my cabin sized hand luggage (dejavu!), I shouted, keep the plane and RUN!  We actually made it – luckily there was no que at passport control.  I made my flight!!!!  Was the happiest person in the world J 

Got to Cape Town International, just to learn that my suitcase stayed in Frankfurt.  AS our plane was so late getting in, they left the suitcase transfer, and I would only receive my bag on the Sunday… L

My brother then fetched me from Cape Town International, as my parents were at a family Christmas get together for the weekend.  We had to keep the secret of me being in the country for the whole Saturday – till they would return on the Sunday.  I made up a story that I was visiting with friends over the weekend, because they just wanted to Skype with me…  Murphy’s law J

My brother and I went to Camps Bay for a lunch, and it was AWESOME!  Just to sit at the beach, feeling the sunshine on your skin J  (It rains a lot in the NetherlandsJ).  Afterwards we went to buy some things to BRAAI on the Saturday evening.  That was my only request – some real braaivleis J.  When my sister got home from work, my brother told her that he got her a big surprize, and that it is in her room.  He told her that it took him a long time to organize.  She came into her room and I sat on the bed.  Her face was priceless and she burst into tears…  It was really special!!!  The three of us had some great bonding time at the braai J  My parents texted me telling me how they missed us, as all the family had their kids at the dinner.  The surprize awaited!

My brother spoke to my parents, telling them how lonely he was the whole weekend, as my sister was working, and if possible, they should meet him for a brunch on the Sunday.  My parents suggested the place, and my brother and I headed to Fairview…  I sat on the “stoep” and as my parents walked out onto the veranda, I sat at the table.  My mom ran the whole way, and everyone was in tears.  They were really surprized!!!  It was the best day ever!!  My mom just kept on saying-  now it is really going to be the most perfect Christmas!  It was really special… 

We just had a very quiet Christmas dinner with my grandparents...  Just got the same message over and over this Christmas as well as New Years - life is short...  We need to make sure that the people in our lives KNOW what they mean to us, and that we need to SHOW them EVERY day how special they are...  Do not be afraid to say you love someone, or to forgive someone...  Life is short!!  Live it!!  Every second :)

Pre-Christmas HO HO HO...

Pre-Christmas dinner

As our group of friends have become really close in a really short time, as well as the fact that a lot of us were not going to be together on Christmas day, we decided to have a pre-Christmas dinner at my new flat.  We decided that all the girls would prepare something Proudly South-African, to have a bit of a South-African Christmas – away from home J 

The previous microwave / oven combo in my flat were not in working state, so the landlord gave me permission to go and buy a new one.  The only problem was – I did not have a car to transport the oven from the store to my flat, and as most of the stores in Amsterdam are located in “shopping streets”, so it is not possible to get a car close to any of the stores.  I therefore needed to make a plan – the dinner was the Saturday evening (I moved in on the Thursday), and I had to make “Herderspatei” for our dinner, and some of the other girls were coming to prepare / heat up the food at my place.  ‘n Boer maak mos ‘n plan J  I took a big suitcase (the one I travelled with to Amsterdam originally), and went to the store J  I waltzed in there, chose my microwave / oven combo, and asked the lady to ring it up.  She looked at me, a bit baffled, and told me – “Mevrou, dis echt swaar” – which means – madame, this is really heavy…  I told her – I have got a suitcase J  We tried the box, and it did not fit into the suitcase.  We then took it out of the original box, and just packed it in the suitcase, and it fit like a glove J  I left the store, the owner of a new microwave oven combo J  I walked more than two kilometres with it, and arrived with it safe and sound at my apartment.    I think this is really something I will remember for the rest of my life!!  Very funny story J  I think the girl in store really thought that this “mevrou”  was crazy J

Our Christmas dinner was AWESOME!!  It really felt like family, and home, away from home…  In the Netherlands, they have a website called LOOTJES.nl.  You can create a group for Christmas, and then invite all the people coming to your party to join this group.  As soon as the different people “accept” their invitation to join the group, the computer automatically draws names – and then sends you an email with the name of the person for who you need to buy a Christmas gift.   So not even the organizer of the party / group knows, who buys gifts for whom!  It was super awesome!  We had secret Santa, malva pudding, champagne and just an evening of good food and good company.  Was really something I will remember for the rest of my life…  Really felt truly blessed!!  God is good, and He always sends the right people into your life, at the right time – REMEMBER it!  It is just being re-confirmed every day in my life…

Prague!

As the new year is already upon us, I think it is a good time to update my travel blog a bit…  The first weekend in December, myself and Carien went on a “Romantic weekend for two to Prague” – GROUPON deal J  A BARGAIN cheap trip like that – even if it was actually meant for couples, was just too good to pass up J

We left the Friday evening from Schipol Airport.  We arrived well in time for our flight, and sat in the lounge awaiting the call to board our flight.  Carien was reading, I was sending some sms’s on my phone, and by 18:20, I told her – why did they not call us yet?  Our flight was scheduled to leave at 18:40.  We then realized that we never checked the board, and that we were not yet at our gates – just a main lounge!!  The board said – GATE CLOSING!  Carien started running, and I just shouted, keep the plane!  I was still in my high heels from work, and as we travelled with a cost saver airline, you were only allowed a cabin sized hand luggage.  So everything we travelled with, we had with us!  I ran like a tri-athlete (high-heels  and all!).  Think it cheered up a few people's day, seeing me run like that :)  We made it just as they were closing the gate!!  It was insane, but definitely something I will remember for the rest of my life J

On Saturday we headed off to see Prague…  We started off walking through the Christmas market.  It was beautiful, with rich colours, great smells and awesome food!  We walked through the cobblestone streets and went to look at the famous “clock” in Prague.  It is BEAUTIFUL – really something to see if you ever go there…  Check the pic below…

 

After this we walked through the streets, and then decided to take a boat cruise – as this takes you past all the main sights in Prague…  We sat, in the cold, on the top deck, and just watched the picturesque city from there!  It is REALLY a beautiful city!!!  We passed the “Charles bridge” – this is where the Bourne identity was filmed J  The bridge was swarming with people the whole time, as this bridge connects the “old town” and “new town”. 

After our boat cruise, we made our way to across the Charles Bridge and walked all the way to the top of the hill where the Prague castle was situated.  It feels like an enchanted city – with so many small shops to explore.  It really was an absolute treat!!  We bought ourselves some sugar coated bread on our way to the top, and stopped for a Starbucks coffee, just to warm ourselves up a bit.  It was EXTREMELY cold! 

As Prague is famous for classical music shows, we went to see Vivaldi’s – “The four seasons” that afternoon.  This was really the highlight of my day!!!  We sat in a church, listening to four violinists, and a guy playing the organ – it was BEAUTIFUL!!  Something funny – as the churches are so cold, they heat up the seating!  So even though your whole body is freezing, the seat is at least warm J

If you ever visit Europe – Prague is a must! J