Amsterdam 2

Another big day! on the road at 8.15am (on the dot! Heidi and Steffan are very punctual) and we are off the Anne Frank's house and Museum ( also on my wish list)we had to line up really early, by 8.30am (another tram) and already quite a queue. they have built a house around the origional house to protect from the elements (and passing tourists i think). Only 30 people allowed in at once, but it means you have time to look and reflect without being hassled by others).

No photos are allowed with flash, and as most of it is dark (with blackout curtains to replica what is was like during the day for the people hiding)it was hard to get good photos. What amazed me was that they had videos of her father (he survived) her friend (was in the concentration camp next door) and the secretary who wasnt caught. their interviews were heartrendering knowing what the outcome was. Also there were parts of her real diaries on display - very much protected. After that sombre start we were off driving out of Amsterdam (they wanted to show us other parts of their country - not just the city) to a lovely town called Muiden, which was a very historic town, with small cobblestone streets and old houses by the canal turned into cafes so you can watch all the boats go past. A very affluent area it seems.

We had lunch there and then moved onto a local castle!! that actually looks like a medievel castle1 it was a town house for a local count and started getting built about 1000 AD. it then got added onto over the years. Was interesting in that they had tours led by local school kids (about 12yrs old) dressed up in old clothes. I was most impressed at their confidence and knowledge. a lady was with them, and I talked to her as the commentary by the kids was in dutch. So she gave us an English translation on paper. She said they were part of a project to include the local school in the local history. She trained these kids up for 6 weeks, and I think were going to use them more in the busy summer season (at the moment they are used for 3 tours on a Sunday) I passed on my congratulations to the boys, as I think they did a fantastic job!

After our tour they put on a bird of prey demonstration (to do with how they used the birds back in the 'old' days. I got to stroke a huge owl (think snow owl from Harry Potter!) he was magnificent. then the lady had a falcon that she let loose to fly over the crowd and come back etc. very well trained!

After the medievel 'stuff' we drove to an area that is where the rich people of Amsterdam live, if they want to live outside the city (about 45min drive) the thing that I oouldnt get over was the woodlands everywhere! trees, and trees and more trees! the lovely big old house were amongst the trees with some land and cows etc. Just gorgeoous. This led onto the town (100,000 people) where heidi was brought up. Called Zeist i think. there was an amazing summer palace of another count with huge gardens you could wander through. the town itself was vry tree lined (again) with parks.

On the way home, they took us to a Pancake House, but nothing like this one! You could get ribs on a pancake, or kebabs or chicken! the strange thing was that dogs were allowed in! there was a lot of woodlands around the area, so the idea was you take your family plus dog for a walk and go in and eat afterwards. very well behaved tho, made me miss my boy! So oooooooo once again, home by 10.30pm and knackered! both days, on the go, lots of diff. types of food and beer by the truckloads. Our hosts were both fantastic - couldnt want for better. Answered all our silly questions with patience, and also were interested in our way of doing things. They had travelled a lot, just been to Dublin for a few days last week!, and had been to NZ twice cause Steffan's family are in Christchurch (Aunt, Uncle etc) he lived in Kaiapoi and went to school there for a while. We have invited them back home, so they will come in a year or two so we can repay the favour, (Steffan wants to go to an All Black game! -Dave gave him one of his all black shirts!). Loved Holland (yes they call it that here) and was pleased to see a wide spectrum of the country - as much as you can in two days of course! Tho in saying that we had two great guides who translated for us, and dealt with the trams etc. Most people did speak English, tho the young ones dont learn until they are about 11. (even bought some pink clog slippers!!)