50 0000 odd steps, 21 days, 9 people, 4 flights, 3 road trips, buckets of anxiety and loads of laughs … and plenty of unforgettable sights, sounds and smells. The anxiety and The excitement had been playing see saw in my stomach for days. Once the Visas had come through and that process was successfully completed, the excitement overtook the anxiety for a short while. The build up with the bookings and confirmations had taken Greg months and months of planning, evenings on the computer and money money money (and lots of it) … imagine if I messed up the whole tour now by missing something on the visa application! I could not bear that …
But as we got closer the anxiety started to build again, and I had guilt. Who gets anxious about going on holiday … and to France, I asked myself. Well the answer is a 50+ year old mother and Office manager of a small / medium farming enterprise …. Then I let the packing and clothing options get the better of me and the overthinking started. In the end I borrowed clothes from friends, packed day and night outfits, 3 different shoe options and matching accessories per outfit …. totalling 25kg’s of luggage – including the ever present laptop with charger etc…. I was packing like a wealthy lady of 50 odd years who could uber around the sights in her high heels with a porter in tow (watch this space ….) MISTAKE NUMBER ONE OF MANY ….
Our overnight flight into Amsterdam went perfectly. Even though we were in cattle class, the HF and I both managed a good sleep (Allergex and a glass of wine to the rescue …). We arrived in Schipol and after a long que at customs, surrounded by politie, we were let in to explore their beautiful city for the day. We found the luggage storage (our suitcases had gone through to Geneva but we still had the heavy hand luggage…). The politie were taking no nonsense they were racked stacked and packed ready for actions and very visible. This stirred up a feeling of safety but also a little apprehension. I could not help thinking they all had that Germanic look to them (big blonde and super serious … take absolutely no prisoner types ….)
We had a lovely, hectic day in Amsterdam. On our train ride into the city, we started chatting to a very friendly man on the train. He commented on the colour strands in my hair (green and gold) and wished us luck with the rugby. It was so very hot and there are so many people. Many out and about enjoying the sunny day but lots and lots of tourists walking around with backpacks and following google maps as they walk. The only tour we had booked was a boat tour along the canals and this was a bonus.
After the delay with the customs q, we arrived in the city and just made it onto the boat. We spent a lovely hour cruising the canals – looking at the sight along the edge and the cool breeze this offered. The Amsterdam sky line along the canals is absolutely unique and has its very own architectural style looking like a Richard Scarry picture book illustration of rows of tall, long buildings with narrow facades, stuck together with steep rooves. The houses were built during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century and were designed to maximize the limited space available in the city. Each house has a unique gable which is decorated with ornate carvings and sculptures, which were used to display the wealth and status of the owner.
This all adds to the rich history and culture that seeps out of each bridge and shady walk way you pass.. The cruise came with a complimentary drink which was appreciated. Following our boat tour we had to high tail it to meet Rogan and Ruaan for lunch in the park. Which was not too close by. We were battling with our google maps and Greg had a farm issue he was trying to deal with, until finally we found “our Ferrrari” and Christina. With her bicycle rickshaw she navigated the streets like the local she was and dropped us off at the entrance to Vondeling Park.
We then walked through and found the meeting spot. So many people were out enjoying the beautiful day; there were lots of people on bicycles and lots walking with their dogs. Amsterdam has a huge cycling culture, and as the warnings go – DO NOT walk in the cycle lanes! Rogan and Ruaan arrived a few minutes later. After a rather harassed meal, and a very dissapointing order of Bitterballen, the boys had to rush off to catch their flight back to SA. We then spent the afternoon walking around and seeing the sights all 19436 steps off them.
The canals crisscrossed with bridges, adorned with flowers and bicycles, brought a cool element to the busy hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. It was an ordinary Thursday but the masses of people everywhere were truly amazing. We walked past the Anne Frank Museum etc – people people and more people everywhere (In 2019 alone the Anne Frank Museaum had over 1.3 visitors). We stopped for a drink at a bar along the canal but did not get an outside table which was a pity. On our way back to the train station to go back to the airport we walked through the redlight district, but it was still daytime, so it was all very quiet. We had another drink at an outside restaurant near the train station before heading back, and flying onto Geneva. It was a short night flight which went effortlessly.
Landing in Geneva, we took a train into town and walked to our hotel. It was very close to the train stop and easy to find. A welcome sight after a busy day, followed by a well-deserved good night’s sleep.
Pink Farm Chick 