GerBeNeLux A-Z

GerBenelux = Germany + Benelux the tri-country area consisting of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. These events were recorded in April.
Averting our eyes in the red-light district in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bicycles in Amsterdam

Canal ride in Gent, Belgium

Dizzy climb to the top of Cologne Cathedral Dome, Germany

Exits off highways are sometimes on the left in the Netherlands. Took a few "exits" to figure that one out.
F "(insert explitive) respect" said our neighbor with a a double fist pump to his chest when Amy and I returned from our water bike tour ALL THE WAY AROUND the lake instead of taking the shortcut we didn't know about in Vreeland, Netherlands

Ggggent. Our b&b host teaching us how to pronounce "Gent" in Dutch.
Hold the Chocolate!!!! I'm on overload!

Imagine the flower fields in full bloom, because they're not blooming yet
Jovial Cyclists stopped "us" and snapped our picture with them

Ketchup or Friet sauce with those fries. Both please!

Late night dorm room chats. Some things don't change after twenty years. Traveling with my college roommate Amy.
Muddy tunnels and castle mines in St. Goar Germany

Nice people only in Gent, Belgium

On the Road Again . . . our road trip song
Passionfruit ice cream is the perfect end to a four course meal at the castle.
Queen for the day at said castle

Red rope--a mile of it--leads us through Amsterdam to the relocated Van Gogh museum

St Agnes--the patron saint of single women. For all the single ladies out there this is for you

Trails in the Rhine Valley, Germany

Uno games accompanied by ants
Views

Views

Views

Waffles, of course in Belgium

Xylophone--ok not really , but there was a stylish string trio playing Pachelbel's Cannon on the street in Antwerp, Belgium

Yellow varigated, Blue Flowers, Gold polka dots and Neon stripes. A girl can never have too many scarves

Zero space left in the trunk of the rental car after all our shopping.

Schenkstroop and Stubborn Spring Flowers

I love Dutch pancakes!

...and the amber molassesy sugar syrup drizzled on top, Schenkstroop. The pancakes are like a thicker version of a crepe. We picked up a mix and a bottle of Schenstroop at the market for our own little feast.

And for the table...this is what you can get for €5 in the Netherlands

And when in the Netherlands in April it's mandatory to visit the tulip fields, however, stubborn spring will not open it's sleepy eyes. So the fields of tulips are still blanketed in green rather than awake and costumed with the multicolor stripes you expect.

I find myself whispering "come on little flowers you can do it you're so close".

But thanks to the greenhouses at Kuekenhof and a few brave little buds we were able to see these...

My favorite: Salmon van Eijk

Duvet Day in Vreeland Netherlands

While in Como Italy I met an English woman, Scottish by birth. We chatted and enjoyed a refreshment while sitting at the Cafe of Villa Carlotta. Discussing the need for down time, even on vacation, those days where you just stay in bed and read a fluffy novel or watch the last 15 minutes of the BBC's North and South over and over again, she said, "we call those duvet days".

Here I am in the Netherlands about 30 minutes outside Amsterdam and I'm proclaiming today a Duvet Day! Just a glance at these photos from our houseboat and you'll understand why.

A look out the back door to the left

A look to the right

Another houseboat in the area

I planted myself right here today. Enjoying my new favorite cookie. It's buttery and soft on the outside with a mild almond paste on the inside.

And indulged in one of my favorite pass-times flipping through home decor magazines. I was giddy when I saw the stacks on the shelf in the living area.

So the views from the houseboat are from the back looking toward a bird sanctuary. The only sounds are of the water lapping against the house, wind blowing through the brush and trees, squabbling geese, ducks and storks, an occasional boat and neighborly chatter. But, if you're looking for a change in scenery just go out the front door and across the lane. Can't go wrong either way.

Happy Duvet Day!