Apr 26, 2013 - Cheese in the rain!

We got up early to go to the cheese market at Alkmaar. When we left the coach it was just cloudy and the forecast was for light showers. The town of Alkmaar was founded in the 10th century in the middle of a marsh. The name was taken from a diving bird called an alkeen or auk. We easily found a car park along with many more tourists coming into the town for the cheese market. We were right next to the Waagplein (Main Square) where the cheese market takes place so was able to get a good view of the proceedings. The coach tours were already...

Jul 20, 2005 - Heidelberg - Amsterdam

Wednesday 20th July Heidelberg -Amsterdam.- We head off at 7.30 am after a great breakfast, its cooler than its been for the whole tour. Now on to Amsterdam. First stop is the Rhine Falls and then a Rhine River Cruise. The Rhine river area is surrounded by vineyards. It is here on the Rhine River that the Dam Busters came down to take out the bridges thereby cutting German supply lines in WWII. Today it is a tranquil scene where barges from 4 countries ply this river, it is a main thoroughfare carrying goods. On the banks of the Rhine...

Nov 15, 2004 - Back to Amsterdam (updated)

Yes, I'm back for a night. This morning I headed out to the head office of one of my Australian business clients. I met a few of the players that I've dealt with over the years and had lunch with Gerben! Thanks for lunch Gerben. That arvo back to Amsterdam. I did a canal tour as soon as I arrived then off to the hostel. I met Mark and Dominica at the hostel. Mark from Aus and Dominica from Poland (although she sounds like an Irish Aussie!). They had just spent the last 2 years in Dublin. We pretty much spent the night touring the red light...