Nana and Papa (Anne and Jeff, who are James’s mom and step dad) came to visit this week. Their trip got off to a rough start when their flight was canceled (after sitting for hours waiting for repairs) but they got rebooked the next day and we greeted them at the airport.
We started their trip with a walking tour of the canal district. Helena, our guide, showed us some hidden quiet spots that we didn’t know about so now I’ve got the inside scoop on how to escape the crowds downtown for a quiet drink or moment of garden sanctuary.Out on the townJeff on De Kat windmillWe lucked out with sunny weather, even though it was still pretty cold. Zaanse Schans always sparkles in the sunlight.We took a drive to Alkmaar to see the cheese market. We got to see the cheese ceremony which was quite the spectacle. We took a canal tour in Alkmaar. We went under 22 bridges, most of which were so low we had to duck and in some cases, pretty much had to get down on the bottom of the boat. We loved it. We stopped to visit the North Sea and had oysters at a restaurant on the beach.We took a day trip up north to track down some of Anne’s family heritage. Stopped along the way for a picnic but didn’t mess around too long because it was cold and windy.The visitor center at Afsluitdijk Wadden shows how the dyke was made to protect the lowlands from flooding. We spent about an hour inside checking out the exhibits. The old footage of the floods and then the dyke construction is amazing. That Cornelis Lely guy was quite a forward thinker.Anne’s grandfather lived in Ijlst and we found the address where family members lived at one time, but unfortunately the house isn’t there any more. A nice Dutch man took the time to talk to us about the area and let Anne and James through his alley to the back yard to see where the house would have been. Biking in The VondelparkThe tulips are blooming now! We stopped along the road to see some and then we took a tour of Keukenhof gardens.I’ll have to do a separate post with all the tulip pictures to really do them justice.
Anne and Jeff leave tomorrow and head to Switzerland to meet up with Jeff’s brother, Curt. They are going to travel to Northern Italy and then head over to London to visit Jeff’s other brother, Dave and his family. Quite the adventure! We’re so grateful to have had this time with them and loved showing them some of the highlights of Holland and the Netherlands. It wasn’t enough time, but we hope they will come back again before too long. Safe travels Nana and Papa! xo .
This was a very special trip for us and we appreciate all the wonderful experiences we were able to share with you ,James and James Wilson. (I can’t believe he’s taller than me!) Time seemed too short, as it does when visiting ones you love and we will certainly be back! Love to all, Nana
This was a very special trip for us and we appreciate all the wonderful experiences we were able to share with you ,James and James Wilson. (I can’t believe he’s taller than me!) Time seemed too short, as it does when visiting ones you love and we will certainly be back! Love to all, Nana