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The Honeymoon is Over
After 53 years of a charmed life with Kathy, the honeymoon is over! And over something so trivial. She called me an “oaf!” Never called me anything ever in the past, except, my love or sweetheart. I have to tell you, I was in shock! More about this down below.
We had three remaining port calls before our cruise was to end in Le Havre, France, on September 27. We spent a wonderful day in Amsterdam. Having been numerous times we decided to simply walk around the city and enjoy its ambiance, especially since it was a pleasant day. We purchased a day tram ticket for the longer jaunts and had no problem using it, especially combined with the iPhone map app. that shows transit stops and tram numbers to take to your destination — so simple. We accidentally found a bar/restaurant that we had enjoyed with friends in the past and paused there for a soup lunch. Flowers were still in bloom in planters, and the canals were charming as always. We did walk through a neighborhood in the De Pijp section of the city. Narrow tree-lined streets and quaint, eclectic shops along the way, one with antique Tiffany lamps beckoned. As we walked, I noticed a brass plaque insert on the pavement in front of a house. Upon inspection, it was indeed a reminder that this had been the home of a Jew murdered in the holocaust–sobering and with the personal admonition to “Never Forget.” The Albert Kruptmart street market was in full swing, and we meandered amongst the stalls, alas, not stopping at the freshly-made stroopwaffel stalls. On the way back to the ship, we observed the beautiful Roman Catholic Basilica was open. We took a few contemplative minutes inside its warm-colored interior. It was a most enjoyable day!
Our port call to the Port of London in Tilbury, England, was something else! We wanted to spend most of our port days relaxing in beautiful settings and we only took one off-ship tour to see the Schwerin Castle in Germany. We had wonderful experiences all along the way…except in Tilbury! There is no there, there! Industrial, the tiny town had nothing of interest to us. Most folks had taken tours to London and missed all the e.x.c.i.t.e.m.e.n.t of Tilbury. We wanted a relaxing walk and that was not to be. Our path to town was strewn with trash, narrow, and for a good part of the way, along a major highway with semis rushing past about eight feet away. We felt the constant swoosh of air. When we finally reached the town, we couldn’t help but laugh at the nothingness of it all. At least we had clocked in over two miles of walking. Once back on board the empty ship, we took advantage of the hot tub! Our evening show in the theatre was entertaining–a ship’s finale to earth’s elements in dance, song and magic. Performers were above us on ropes, in the aisles, and on stage during the rousing numbers.
As for the honeymoon being over… In the early morning, we headed for breakfast at the breakfast buffet; usually, I find a place to sit while Kathy gets her breakfast. This time she was in front of me and selected a seat on the “wrong” side–wrong, because it looked over the docks and did not provide a view of the city of Amsterdam. I would have picked the city side automatically. This put me in a dour mood. Thus, I became an “oaf.”
THIS IS KATHY–I DID NOT CALL WAYNE AN “OAF!” WHEN HE APOLOGETICALLY SAID HE WAS ACTING LIKE AN OAF, I SIMPLY SMILED AND SLIGHTLY NODDED MY HEAD.
As I told her, agreeing with my statement that I was behaving like an oaf was the same thing as calling me an oaf. She simply smiled and slightly nodded her head. I understand this is trivial; irrational; however, I was thinking: if I died soon or first, Kathy would not know the things I do automatically, like picking the best seats, etc. …things I do automatically because I want the best for her. I became afraid and was reacting out of that fear because I theorized she would settle for second best when I die. I wouldn’t want that for her. (I realize that if she remarries after I die she would be settling for second best–but that would not be her fault.) When you have cancer, you think about these things!
Today, our last full day on board the Norwegian Dawn was spent in Bruges, Belgium. We love this old medieval city that time forgot and thus was left in glorious charm and beauty. We walked amongst the historic architecture and felt “good.” We stopped in a waffle restaurant and enjoyed the best waffle I have ever eaten. Light, yet solid, the waffle was topped with luscious warm Dutch chocolate and bananas. It was accompanied with whipped cream, eggnog sauce and vanilla ice cream. Decadent and delicious! We thought this was a wonderful last day for our cruise. Tonight we eat in a specialty French Bistro onboard and pack for disembarkation tomorrow. That is it for now from your friendly Oaf!
ABOVE AND BEYOND
Blue skies above, birds chirping in the pink or white flowering trees, refreshing air in a 68 degree temperature, AND 7 MILLION FLOWERING Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths in landscaped bliss. This is the amazing Keukenhof Gardens, south of Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Our friends, Randy and Melisa and Sandra, joined us on this grand day visiting the Keukenhof Gardens and rural farms with flower strips divided by color, ending in a river cruise to see windmills. What a day! The Keukenhof was the highlight with beauty that one imagines heaven could be like. Masses of flowers in flowing design cascading up knolls and down to river canals, sometimes highlighted by fountains, sculptures, or quiet waterfalls. The 64 acres were a dance of color and design as the sights were mesmerizing and at times overwhelming. Adding to the beauty were the abundant flowering apple trees covered in pink blooms and the densely flowering azaleas. It did not seem as if it was real, but it was!
Unfortunately, our friend Mike was unable to go with us. He fell the night before! The injury was sufficient enough that he and Sandra departed today for home. We are all saddened by this turn of events. They are giving up over three weeks of our journey (thankfully they had spent over a week in Portugal prior) and we are giving them up as travel companions on this journey. We prayed for them and still do as Mike goes to his doctors upon arrival to their home.
We left home on April 10, and our flight was uneventful. On April 11, Randy and Melisa and Kathy and I spent a recoup day leisurely strolling the De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam. It was atmospheric, and the Albert Cuypmarkt, the largest street market in Europe, was a delight. We found a quaint restaurant for lunch and along the way found a stall making fresh stroopwafels. The large pastries were filled with caramel and were warm–tasty! Kathy found a swimming suit stall and got a wonderful one for only ten Euro’s ($10.70). Since our hotel gave us free spa entrances, and she had not brought her swimsuit, she was delighted to find this bargain. While we wiled away our afternoon in the De Pijp neighborhood, the Steele’s, who had arrived a day before us, went to the historic Zaanse Schans, a village filled with antique homes and shops in a rural setting with cattle and sheep on lush landscapes highlighted with colorful windmills that Randy and Melisa and we had visited this village on a previous trip to Amsterdam. Being rather worn out by our overnight flight, we retired early. I slept for twelve refreshing hours.
The next day, April 11, all of us walked the old town of Amsterdam and spent an interesting time visiting the museum of the “Church in the Attic.” Because the Netherlands had converted to Dutch Reformed from Roman Catholicism, the Catholics lost their places of worship and could not openly conduct worship (Lutherans, Jews and others faced the same restrictions). Many house churches were opened. Each looked like traditional homes but the interior rooms were converted into worship spaces. The one still remaining is the “Church in the Attic.” Funded by a rich Roman Catholic linen merchant from Germany, the house church was a combination of three adjacent homes. The bottom floors looked like traditional Dutch homes but the attics were renovated to house the church, replete with a balcony, pipe organ, and ornate altar. The tour gave us much information about Dutch homes and the merchant trade as we ascended to the attic. We completely enjoyed our time.
After a lunch break, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Rijksmuseum, one of the world’s premiere art institutions. Housing Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other Low Country artists from the “Golden Age,” the museum was on my museum bucket list. All of us spent ample time in front of Rembrandt’s large canvas known as the “Night Watch.” We soaked it all in!
That evening, Kathy and I went out to eat with two of Kathy’s nieces, Joy and Bethany, who by happenstance were in the Netherlands at the same time as we. How we loved this time together!
Randy and Melisa and Mike and Sandra went out to eat and wanted “the best Dutch Apple pie” as dessert served at a different restaurant. While walking there, Mike fell, not seeing a small step down from the sidewalk into the bike lane. They got him back to the hotel, but the picture consult with a doctor late at night confirmed that he should return home. God speed, Mike and Sandra! We love you!
Melisa, Kathy, and Sandra at the Tulip Farm
TRANSPORTATION STRIKE AND DISCO BALLS
September 10-12, 2022
Our journey begins with the Krahn’s and Standly’s as we arrive in Amsterdam to a surprise transportation strike. Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s largest hubs, was a mess. Thousands of people jammed everything—everything! Our hotel in The Hague, The Netherland’s capital, was over 25 miles away. What were we to do, with no trains or buses? The taxi queue was monstrously long, hours and hours wait. Did I mention that it was raining? As we stood together trying to figure a way out of our plight, from out of nowhere a uniformed airport personnel approached us and asked how many were in our group. We said, “Six.” He said, “Follow me.” We did. He escorted us through the masses and took us to a special platform dedicated to special needs people and groups of six or more. In less than a minute we were boarding a large Mercedes van that held all of us comfortably along with our luggage, and we were whisked away from the madness towards our wonderful hotel. For one brief moment we felt guilty that we were so blessed.
The Hague is a wonderful city. We ate great seafood meals as the city is situated on the North Sea. I had a delicious meal of Dover Sole, something we rarely get to eat. The Standly’s, being younger than us, explored the city on the first day and found a charming area of the city and enjoyed its ambiance. The rest of us crashed. Kathy and I had been upgraded to a suite but were really too tired to get any benefit out of all that extra space. Next day, the Krahn’s and Standly’s explored old Delft and visited the Delftwork’s porcelain workshop. They found it very interesting as they watched artisans meticulously hand painting each piece. Kathy and I went to see my favorite painting—Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”
It is housed in the Mauritius along with other Low Country master works. Having left my sunglasses on the airplane and Kathy having forgotten to pack hers, we found a sunglass store in The Hague old town—wait ’til you see our red RayBans. It was a wonderful day! Late afternoon we traveled to Amsterdam and hired a driver through our Marriott.
Our Designer Hotel, a Marriott hotel in Amsterdam, was cool funky! Bier gardens outside, entry lobby a music venue pub with games and unusual furnishings, and a roof top bar, 26 stories up with swings (think porch swings) that swung out over the edge of the hotel. Lit at night with colorful lighting, the hotel stood out along the Amsterdam skyline.
What we found most fun, however, were the smart elevators that had no buttons because it read your room key. Then, when the doors opened, you were greeted with music and…dancing floors with lighted tiles to step on as they switched around to the music, or karaoke walls with the words following the music as you sang into the microphones extending from the walls, or huge spinning disco balls with special lighting that twinkled to the music.
Once in your room, you were met with industrial design and real Gibson guitars (big returnable room deposit) and old fashioned working phonographs with a vinyl collection—yes, original covers! This hotel was interesting to say the least. Outside was the ferry that ran 24/7 and within minutes whisked you from the New Town to the Old Town across the bay. We spent our time riding the canals, exploring the city, eating out, etc.
We especially liked going to Zaanse Schans, the windmill village outside Amsterdam. Bucolic, bucolic, bucolic! Transported back in time, sheep and cattle grazed on lush green grass and ducks swam in the numerous small canals than coursed through the village. Large Dutch windmills (some still in use) interspersed the scene along with deep green or black or gray wooden Dutch houses, all with slate roofs. Flower-laden gardens surrounded by white fences cut “Dutch style” accompanied the view along with white wooden bridges over canals along the footpath. Glorious! We ate Dutch thin pancakes, pannenkoek, and ordered them with either brandied raisins and whipped cream or apricot with eggnog and whipped cream. Tasty!
Our evening meal back in old town Amsterdam was special. The traditional Dutch restaurant was overcrowded, so the maitre d’ escorted us the the bar next door. Only one table was housed in this third oldest bar in Amsterdam, and it was a delight with heavily carved wooden beams of very old world decor. The bartender was our waiter and transported the food from the restaurant to us. We ate bitterballen, a creamed beef fried in breadcrumbs seasoned with spices. The rest of the meal was awesome. Allen very generously tipped the waiter above our regular tips. The waiter was so enthralled that he gave each of us small bottles of Jagermeister, an anise-based liqueur, as a departing gift. We had much fun and beauty on our Netherlands adventure.
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