Holland. The Original Cool.

Last month Cory and I were able to take a trip to Europe with my parents and my youngest brother, Peter. We couldn't have asked for a better vacation! We spent our time in Holland and France and were there for about 10 days. We have a few relatives who live in Holland, so it was so nice to visit and see them. Cory found this video when we got back. "Dutch!"

Amsterdam!

Rembrandtplein. We stayed in a hotel here in Rembrandt Square. Rembrandt lived in a house nearby so they made these beautiful sculptures depicting one of his most famous paintings, De Nachtwatch (The Night Watch). I wish I took more pictures of all the cafes lining the perimeter of the square. One of the many things I love about Europe is everyone stops to slow down and enjoy life! They sit for hours people watching and enjoying their food. Here in America we are always on the go and in a rush.

My cute parents on the canal boat tour (so jet lagged!)

So many sweets...everywhere. Lekker!

Anne Frank House. Entrance to the museum is around the corner...

Cheese! Gouda!

Houseboat in Amsterdam. How fun would it be to live in one of these?!

One of the best restaurants I'd ever been to. If you're ever in Amsterdam, try Indrapura. Indonesia was once the Dutch East Indies, so much of the food in the Netherlands is inspired by Indonesia. One of the traditional meals is a rijstaffel. They bring many, many small dishes for you to try until you are stuffed to the max. My mom made a few of these dishes growing up, so it was so fun to try them in Holland.

My great aunt and uncle live in this adorable farm in the countryside.

My great uncle's Vespa's he's fixing up. He rides these around all over Europe!

Their traditional thatched roof.

Zaanse Schans! This cute little town has a couple historic windmills.

Volendam

Delft! My favorite place in Holland. We stayed in the most darling hotel here for a night, but I could have spent a whole week here. Delft is well known as the painter Vermeer's birthplace and delftware, the beautiful blue and white pottery. So of course we had to spend our whole time shopping there.
  

Tulips! You cannot go to Holland without seeing these everywhere.

One of the highlights of the trip! My aunt and uncle came out for a business trip and brought my cousin Leigh and her husband Jon. Our trip overlapped with theirs for a day so it was so much fun to spend time with them! While my parents, aunt and uncle went to visit more family, we wandered the streets of Amsterdam with Leigh and Jon. She lives in Canada so we rarely get to see each other. Leigh is having a baby girl in July, so it was so nice to catch up with her!

Other highlights...

• Hermitage Museum (Van Gogh's paintings were on display here since the Van Gogh museum was under renovation)
• Listening to Uncle Frans' WWII stories
• Seeing two drunk guys try to get on a scooter, and slowly fall over. Then seeing them do that, three more times
• All the bread and cheese!

Pictures from France will be up soon!