Belgium and the Netherlands

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Here are a few pictures from our walk around Brussels where we spent two nights before moving on to Amsterdam... 

Belgiun waffles were amazing :)

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Canals all over the City

Lots of cafes and coffee shops to choose from



We rented these bright orange bikes to get around Amsterdam for the day.  There are bike lanes everywhere and you have to be alert, crossing the road you can wait longer for the bike traffic than the vehicle traffic.  Cass found it challenging not to get run over by the other bikers and Rob got yelled at for being in the wrong lane. Rob also got a flat tire but all in all it was a fun time!



Rob has the tourist look down...

Noordvijkerhout, Netherlands

After a couple days in Amsterdam we took a short train ride to Noordvijkerhout (it took us two days to learn how to say the name) to visit Cassidy's friends Jolanda and Mike.  They showed us a GREAT time and we both felt we had really experienced an authentic taste of Dutch life.  This is the area where tulips (among many other flowers) are grown in the spring.  Some highlights are below...



Thanks so much Mike and Jolanda for introducing us to Dutch pancakes, BBQ, lolly pops, bitte-balls (sp?), sweet breads, chocolate flakes... and, of course, the real Heineken!  We had a great time with you and your welcoming friends!  We hope to host you someday :)



Yes, this is a pancake (kind of what we'd would call a crepe) and it has minced meat, pinapple, cheese and cajun sauce... and it was sooo good!

This town was so cool with lots of horses and bike paths.

Bike trip to the beach...

Should I go in or not...



Tea by the beach.



Dutch BBQ - salads and bread

Dutch BBQ - fish and shrimp

Dutch BBQ - the meats



Great to meet you all!

Traveling friend together again!

Late night for the angry bunny, we had a rough travel day the next day...

Off to the Rhine Valley of Germany and Czech Republic! More to come...