Getting arrested.... Dutch Style

We've witnessed two arrests since arriving the the nederlands and both suspects have gone out in style. Yesterday's installment, mid afternoon near the centre of town. Reasonable looking fellow, screaming, yelling whilst two of Maastricht's finest are trying to pin him down over about five minutes. The whole street stops as about 100 people all walk over for a captain cook, some capturing the precious moment on the mobile.

A trip to Utrecht to see the and the river of my name was in vain, the combination of rain and our lack of orienteering skills were the culprits. The day was saved by a traditional Dutch meal at Floor and Rene's, serving red cabbage and sauerkraut based meals with a traditional sausage, French wine, and a premium hoegaarden.

On a tangent, the beer I have tasted in sensational. Largers, witte (white / wheat), cheery, cloudy (pale), local beers, beers brewed by monks, local beers, special hoegaarden. Fantastic. Oddly, you could not find a Heinekin in Maastricht to save yourself. The locals all consider Stella Artois to be a bit of a wife beater.

Last couple of days have been spent cycling through the Dutch countryside where the closest thing to a hill is a speed bump; walking through the Castel of Eijsden; strolling through the markets; and having dinner with friends and family. Roske, Paul, and Lika have kindly given us several old photo's of my Mum, Dad, Oma and Opa, and the great grand parents.

It'll be a sad day heading to Spain tomorrow leaving friends and family who have thoroughly spoiled us. We have even basked in the untypical Dutch sunishine :)

Jules was right

Of course we have seen big differences in the few countries we have visited, but it's also the little ones. The variances in social norms, the regional specific "aussie burger" (not that we've tried), taboos, even the toiliets are little different.

We spent a day in the francaphone city of Liege in northern belgium. Lika and Beth tourned the local wares at the shopping mall, whilst Paul, Jerome, and I toured the citadel, churches, and a magnificent view of the city, which is nicely encapsulated within a valley. I must try and attain some photo's from Paul.

Afterwards another sensational dinner, we had tea, coffee, and apricot pie with my tante rosa (Dad's autie), who had visited australia three times in the 80's and 90's and we stayed with for 3 weeks 15 years ago.

Another day at the shop in Den Bosch for Beth and Floor was enjoyed by her partner and I touring the local sites. A 1930's and 40's defensive fort against the Germans. Undescribable huge. Litterally built over several square kilometers 30 - 50m under a mountain. A crude description of it's size states that it takes 20 minutes to run from one end to the other. 800 Belgians holding the fort against a WWI style attack wered defeated by an German troupe of 80 landing with glyders using WWII weapons.

I'm butchering the Dutch language trying to speak to those with little English, but I seem to get the point accross.

We have taken the odd ride Dutch style through very pretty country side, barely using the road.

Although the weather at Eijsden has been 20 - 24 since arrival, today we are in Utrecht with fog, rain, and wind :(

Southern Hospitality

After a three hour train ride through the scenic countryside from Den Haag to Maastricht after a slight miscalculation on my part. After ringing up our hosts daughter, who I've not seen in 15 years, parks directly accross the street. Courage was eventually plucked and we asked if it was her and we were on our way to Eijsden.

We will not find the hospitality we have recieved from family friends, Paul and Lika and their family. We feel as if we are around family and mostly I have consumed authentic Dutch food. Both their childeren, Jerome, Floor and her partner Rene have also treated us fantastically.

Paul, the official photographer of Maastricht, personally took us on a tour of arguably, the oldest city in the Netherlands. Sitting in firstly the room where I believe the treaty of Maastricht was signed, with a frame poster containing the signatures of all european presidents (see facebook) and secondly the room of the Duke of Limburg. I started to get the feeling that the citizens were a touch spoiled for culture when we walked into a book store which was the old church of the city, circa 1500, tastfully maintaining it's historical walls paintings.

Today we have seen the historically and beutiful Belgian Wallon city of Liege and just ridden into Maastricht. You know a country has a lot of bike riders when 80,000 bikes are stolen a year.

We look forward to seeing my tante Rosa tonight over dinner and the rest of the week in Eijsden and hopefully Hasselt. Then off to Spain, where I think Beth is hoping we staying in a small hotel room instead of a hostel :)

A boat cruise through the scenic canals in Amsterdam was followed by a scenic hour train ride, literally 1/4 of the country, to Den Haag. Very green in constrast to the golden country side of the mid north or the malley scrub.

After being royally screwed $A50 p.p.p.n for a pair of bunk beds, we caught up for a good night of beers and conversation with Beth's friend Zoe and Willehm. The walk home through a dimly lit city after midnight was conceded to a taxi driver after an hours walk, who promptly drove in a circle before pulling into the hostel.

Euroshock (n) - Realisation that your well planed budget accounts for bugger all in when paying in euros.

Will probably cut our time in Spain by a week to take advantage of the peso.

Culinary speaking, it's remeniscent of spending summers at Oma's. Averaging a croquet per day (below right), hagel for breakfast this morning, and lots of sandwichers. And today the killer, heading to Maastricht, home of the Reijnders (Oma's) clan and a stop at the local markets to sample fresh rollmops and some olle bollen (below left). Then friends and family in Eijsden.

Can't you make an exception, we're only five minutes late?

Just navigated to the Heineken tour.... 5 minutes late.

In awe of the way the Dutch present their history and arts so professionally and proudly after visits to the rijskmuseum, van gough, Amsterdam history, among other. Maybe I should get off the couch at home and see what we have to offer at home?

Not ever being confused for an art conusor, but, it was a privilege viewing the van Gough's, Rembrandt's, and Vermeer's. Although this might sound obvious or corny, the difference between good art and the masterpieces is perfection .

The Gaul of McDonald's making croqett's ?!?!?

Having a couple of extra cold Heineken's down the road (same temp as what you get in Oz) and after ten minutes was having a reasonable conversation in broken Spanish..... That is, until I've managed to offend them talking about cuban cigars?

We've found the Dutch totally uninterested in helping tourists. Although, if I didn't just come from HK, I wouldn't be so shocked. Charging 2 euro's for a map is a bit over the top don't you think? Everything else is double or triple the price than back home.... except for tulips

Lodgings are ok. Aviengo in spuistraat. 18 others in the room, lot's of pretty red lights and cafe's in the neighborhood. Well, I guess that's what you get in Amsterdam for $A35.