It was fun poking around in Antwerp yesterday, but we did a little research to day trip for our next day in Belgium. Lier is actually really close and cheap to get there by train. Mom and Dad have evidently been here in the past, which I had remembered, but there is a lot of Lier sounding names in this area, so I wasn't sure. Right at the train station, there is a spot to rent some bikes for cheap (5$ for the afternoon). We took a quick spin through the center of town, then headed out on the bike trails along the river.
It was great to be out on a bike again. The scenery is always interesting and you can cover a lot of ground. At roughly the half way point, we stopped in Duffel for some lunch. Bread, cheese and some deli meat today from the supermarket. Great quality as always. The last leg into Mechelen isn't the greatest; along a busy road, but you still learn as you go. Brewery Het Anker has evidently been around since the 1300s in some way shape or form. Good Belgium beer again- we sampled a flight of 5 different beers ranging from a pilsner to a fruit beer. I'll be happy to be sipping with the states beers again, but it's certainly nice to see how other countries do it.
Once back in Lier, we had to chase down some more Belgium chocolates. When in Rome? The place was all dressed up for easter. The had 2 ft high chocolate bunnies and bowls and bowls of smaller eggs and other themed chocolates.
For dinner back in Antwerp, we looked up a more traditional Belgium place near the Cathedral; Bomma. Kate had some trout, I had a rabbit stew. Very good, possibly my favorite of the trip thus far. All in all, a good stay in Belgium. It's hard to top biking to Leiden or wandering the canals of Amsterdam, but it was worth coming down here for a couple days.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Wednesday: Off to a new country
Got a reasonable start on the day and headed for the central train station again. Grabbed a coffee and fresh squeezed (literally) orange juice at a market in the train station along with a couple croissants. It never ceases to amaze me how a crumby little train station convenience store still has pretty good food. Damn Europeans. The train to Antwerp was interesting, if not life changing. We made pit stops in The Haag, Rotterdam, Delft, and a few others in the south of Holland. The Rhine was enormous at it's mouth. Cool to see.
Antwerp's train station is truly one of a kind. Gorgeous. Worth a see even if you only grab an afternoon in Antwerp. Our hostel is half way between the old town and the train station, so reasonably central. Old town is definitely not dutch any more. No canals, just the windy, twisting streets radiating out from the cathedral. The cathedral was pretty dominating, although we didn't go in for the 6 Euros. Most of our afternoon was spent meandering the streets. They have a crazy long pedestrian tunnel to the other side of the river (not sure why?) that we walked just for the heck of it. It's way down there (a couple long, wooden escalators of all things). I'll have to read up on the history of it.
We begrudgingly did a quick run around a small park near our hostel in the afternoon. Legs weren't feeling amazing, but we got out there and gave it a shot.
For dinner, we trekked back down to the older part of town. A couple happyish hour drinks of Jenever. Evidently, an ancestor to Gin that's still around in this part of Europe. The guy had 200 types, ranging from more corn notes, to gin, or fruit. I had a gin type and a hazelnut "fruit". Actually pretty smooth. The hazelnut was sweet and you could barely taste the alcohol at 20%. Not a bad first experience.
We had found a Moroccan place for dinner. Large portions, unique food, and reasonable prices. Kate's reportedly favorite meal of the trip thus far. Very hard to complain for me as well with most of the above things that I value.
Antwerp has been cool to check out, but we're planning a day trip to Lier tomorrow. Time for some more biking and beer drinking.
Antwerp's train station is truly one of a kind. Gorgeous. Worth a see even if you only grab an afternoon in Antwerp. Our hostel is half way between the old town and the train station, so reasonably central. Old town is definitely not dutch any more. No canals, just the windy, twisting streets radiating out from the cathedral. The cathedral was pretty dominating, although we didn't go in for the 6 Euros. Most of our afternoon was spent meandering the streets. They have a crazy long pedestrian tunnel to the other side of the river (not sure why?) that we walked just for the heck of it. It's way down there (a couple long, wooden escalators of all things). I'll have to read up on the history of it.
We begrudgingly did a quick run around a small park near our hostel in the afternoon. Legs weren't feeling amazing, but we got out there and gave it a shot.
For dinner, we trekked back down to the older part of town. A couple happyish hour drinks of Jenever. Evidently, an ancestor to Gin that's still around in this part of Europe. The guy had 200 types, ranging from more corn notes, to gin, or fruit. I had a gin type and a hazelnut "fruit". Actually pretty smooth. The hazelnut was sweet and you could barely taste the alcohol at 20%. Not a bad first experience.
We had found a Moroccan place for dinner. Large portions, unique food, and reasonable prices. Kate's reportedly favorite meal of the trip thus far. Very hard to complain for me as well with most of the above things that I value.
Antwerp has been cool to check out, but we're planning a day trip to Lier tomorrow. Time for some more biking and beer drinking.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Tuesday: On the trail again
We had planned on getting up early again, but lazily didn't get started for a couple hours after planned. Getting out of Leiden was much easier this time, but we rather quickly found it again hard to stick on the right path. Oddly enough; there are simply so many bike paths, you never really know which one to follow. That said, the distances are small enough that you never got very far before you realized you were off and there was often another bike trail nearby to right you so you didn't ever really have to turn around. It ended up being an interesting, if sinuous sequence of paths along train tracks, through neighborhoods, villages, and out in flower fields, simply perfect and different from the way out to keep things interesting.
Keukenhof was a zoo. Tens of tour buses and fleets of cars backing up the road for 1 mile. It was pretty cool, although I don't know if I would have considered it worth while in terms of cost 5 years ago. The Dutch certainly know gardening though. Each flower bed was manicured to a "T" and it was stunning how many varieties and color combinations they could form.
After dumping the bikes back in Harlaam, we wandered downtown through their narrow medieval streets. These have a different feel than Leiden or Amsterdam; less canals and more Bari Gotic of Barcelona, radiating out from a massive church at the "center". We final settled (somewhat randomly) on a cafe and ordered it up. The smoke salmon sandwich was outstanding. Kate was quite satisfied with her food as well. Maybe it's just vacation, but it just seems like most meals are awesome here.
After the quick train ride back, I hit up another run to the park. A little monotonous, but it's at least a couple miles around it and dirt. We hit the streets again around happy hour, content to meander around the canals and various neighborhoods. We again randomly settled on a good looking pub for a couple drinks and a massive cheese plate. The dubbel I had was one of the better beers of the trip thus far. The cheese didn't disappoint either.
Dinner was the fanciest of the trip yet; The Blue Spoon. Good food, if not huge portions and a little pricy. Worth it at least once or twice on the vacation though. It was still a little early when we finished, so we walked some of the Pijp and found another cafe with a couple desserts; cheese cake and a brownie that was really flourless cake. Both were good and while I probably could have gone without the hot chocolate, it was also amazing. So basically, another story of food that I was happy with. I like eating?
Keukenhof was a zoo. Tens of tour buses and fleets of cars backing up the road for 1 mile. It was pretty cool, although I don't know if I would have considered it worth while in terms of cost 5 years ago. The Dutch certainly know gardening though. Each flower bed was manicured to a "T" and it was stunning how many varieties and color combinations they could form.
After dumping the bikes back in Harlaam, we wandered downtown through their narrow medieval streets. These have a different feel than Leiden or Amsterdam; less canals and more Bari Gotic of Barcelona, radiating out from a massive church at the "center". We final settled (somewhat randomly) on a cafe and ordered it up. The smoke salmon sandwich was outstanding. Kate was quite satisfied with her food as well. Maybe it's just vacation, but it just seems like most meals are awesome here.
After the quick train ride back, I hit up another run to the park. A little monotonous, but it's at least a couple miles around it and dirt. We hit the streets again around happy hour, content to meander around the canals and various neighborhoods. We again randomly settled on a good looking pub for a couple drinks and a massive cheese plate. The dubbel I had was one of the better beers of the trip thus far. The cheese didn't disappoint either.
Dinner was the fanciest of the trip yet; The Blue Spoon. Good food, if not huge portions and a little pricy. Worth it at least once or twice on the vacation though. It was still a little early when we finished, so we walked some of the Pijp and found another cafe with a couple desserts; cheese cake and a brownie that was really flourless cake. Both were good and while I probably could have gone without the hot chocolate, it was also amazing. So basically, another story of food that I was happy with. I like eating?
Monday: hanging in leiden
Kinds of a non eventful day in Leiden. Woke up and went for a run down to the polder park a couple miles away. The way there was on a canal, which was good scenery, but meh for footing. The park was crushed shells, which was pretty great. Nothing huge, but a couple miles around perhaps. Went for some pancakes next, not the fluffy baked ones I was expecting, but crepes more or less, and the size of a pizza. Enormous. And excellent. Unfortunately, most museums are closed on Monday, so we struck out on the windmill and a few more. We still checked out the old massive church in town and meandered around the botanical gardens and the university of Leiden. Took a break at home, them a happy hour at ollivers, which was a really cool bar. You kind of have to like Belgium beers if you are truly going to enjoy your beer experience here, but if you do, they never disappoint. Dinner at a modernish place along one of the canals; Lot en de Walvis. I had a pulled pork and rice noodle bowl, great food and decently priced. Swung by the billiards place a few doors down from us for a game of pool post dinner. I'm a bit out of practice and Kate's nothing to write home about, but it was a good time.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
sunday: to the beach
Slept in a little late after staying up a little too late last night. Threw our stuff in the flash bags and headed for the train station to catch one for Haarlem. We had settled on this plan to shorten the distance and make a more desirable ride. It was a great decision. The bike place is right near the train station and we were able to rent a couple bikes for 3 days at 100 Euros.
The bike to the coast was super interesting. Just this never ending train of bikes all headed the same direction. It took 45 min or so to get there. Very cool topographical too once we hit the national park. Basically sand dunes and scrubby trees. The ride along the coast was in paralleled. Nothing can beat seeing the ocean. After a while of rolling in and out of the sand dunes, we stopped for a rest along the beach to check out the beach life. Lots of people, but everyone was having a great time. Although I guess it's probably hard not to at the beach.
The final leg to Leiden was interesting as well. I kept the route for a while, but ended up taking a bunch of different routes the closer we got to the city because there were so many bike routes it started to get confusing. Nevertheless we got there and got into our room with minimal struggle. The place is amazing. One of the best airbnbs we've ever stayed at.
The evening was spent meandering around the streets of Leiden. A couple drinks on a bridge over the canal, followed by dinner at an Italian place nearby.
A fantastic day of vacation.
The bike to the coast was super interesting. Just this never ending train of bikes all headed the same direction. It took 45 min or so to get there. Very cool topographical too once we hit the national park. Basically sand dunes and scrubby trees. The ride along the coast was in paralleled. Nothing can beat seeing the ocean. After a while of rolling in and out of the sand dunes, we stopped for a rest along the beach to check out the beach life. Lots of people, but everyone was having a great time. Although I guess it's probably hard not to at the beach.
The final leg to Leiden was interesting as well. I kept the route for a while, but ended up taking a bunch of different routes the closer we got to the city because there were so many bike routes it started to get confusing. Nevertheless we got there and got into our room with minimal struggle. The place is amazing. One of the best airbnbs we've ever stayed at.
The evening was spent meandering around the streets of Leiden. A couple drinks on a bridge over the canal, followed by dinner at an Italian place nearby.
A fantastic day of vacation.
Saturday: hanging with the crew
Got up and hit the Van Gogh museum in the morning. Went for the audio sets, which ended up being a really good idea. I actually really enjoyed the museum. It was cool having it themed on one guy. You really got a sense of his life, and how he changed over the arc of it. Definitely worth the visit.
We went back and strapped on the running shoes for a quick one in the park down the street. Pretty pleasant. Not a huge place, but a couple miles aronund it and all dirt at least.
Met hailey and bubba for lunch at the central station. Right on the canal. Actually reasonably priced and a good meal as well. We took an hour boat cruise along the river afterward which was also pretty cool. Then basically hung out the whole afternoon. Mainly just walking around, getting drinks, then walking some more. Awkwardly checked out the red light district, got another drink, called it a night. Really good seeing those guys.
friday: jet lag
Ironically named in that of all the times I've flown internationally, I actually didn't feel too bad for this one.
Got in around mid day in Amsterdam. The train to downtown is pretty slick. We had a bit of trouble at the central station transferring to a tram, with the different ticket system, but all in all, it went all right. I napped for a little when we got to our air B and B, but we kept it short and hit the streets to walk around. It's funny, as it's really how you imagine it before arriving. Densely packed, cool looking houses along canals. I don't think there's anyway I could have imaged so many bikes. The are literally everywhere. Really cool to see. Our place is small, and the lady smokes in the hall, but it's a great location and she's nice.
We are in the pijp (pipe). Right next to the Heineken experience. We meandered around the east side of town for the afternoon, making our way down to a Dutch micro brewery under a windmill. Solid beer...although you have to like belgiums. We skirted the zoo too. Dinner was in the neighborhood. A great Indonesian place. Very cheap on top of it all; like 25 total for diner.
Got in around mid day in Amsterdam. The train to downtown is pretty slick. We had a bit of trouble at the central station transferring to a tram, with the different ticket system, but all in all, it went all right. I napped for a little when we got to our air B and B, but we kept it short and hit the streets to walk around. It's funny, as it's really how you imagine it before arriving. Densely packed, cool looking houses along canals. I don't think there's anyway I could have imaged so many bikes. The are literally everywhere. Really cool to see. Our place is small, and the lady smokes in the hall, but it's a great location and she's nice.
We are in the pijp (pipe). Right next to the Heineken experience. We meandered around the east side of town for the afternoon, making our way down to a Dutch micro brewery under a windmill. Solid beer...although you have to like belgiums. We skirted the zoo too. Dinner was in the neighborhood. A great Indonesian place. Very cheap on top of it all; like 25 total for diner.
Thursday: the flight over
a rather relaxed start to our trip. Got to the airport on time, nothing big going on the flight. A reasonable dinner in Detroit, burgers and beer. I didn't sleep a ton; just the standard haze where you aren't quite awake, but you aren't quite asleep. It passed the time at least. I didn't even watch a movie. Didn't take for granted the joy of flying though. Taking off and picking out metro highlights is always the coolest thing.
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