Amsterdam: Uncle Heerco, Tulips and Rijks

We finally arrived!

It was super early approximately 5.30am and we rushed straight to the toilet to freshen up a little.

But, as you can see in the previous post, I don’t really look freshened up huh?

Hahahaha.

So, what happened next?

A friend of my aunt were to pick us up from the airport and head to our first stay on this whole Europe trip. Read: HIS HOUSE. Obviously... :D

And there he was, in the early hours waiting for us ladies to arrive.

Hello Uncle Heerco.

One thing worth mentioning, I don’t fancy standing next to him.

Well, no specific reason just that I look like a dwarf when I do. Though I prefer hobbit.
So he gotta be the wise or not so wise Gandalf.
Hahahaha wonder how he will react to that.

From the airport, we head straight to his home and freshen up for real before taking a stroll through row and row of streets and getting ourselves something to eat.

We even sat by a dock or something of that nature and remembered clearly that all four of us were adoring a pair of ducks that was there with us.

Yup we spent quite some time admiring the duck; 30 minutes or so.

Around the neighbourhood

Not sure what this place is...a dock maybe...

The ducks!

Us by the dock

After that duck moment, we made our way back and got ready for the real sightseeing.

We headed to Kuekenhof.

It is time to see for real what I have seen over and over online for months.

Upon arriving in Keukenhof, we had a glimpse of tulips all the way.

As usual, being easily fascinated, excitement was pretty much difficult to contain.

The colours was so beautiful that even in motion it looks breathtakingly beautiful.

Tulips

Once we arrived, it wasn’t that crowded.
Hence, it was easy to snap pictures with only you in frame. :p

It was too beautiful at times, that you just wanna soak it all in and never breathe it out.

Countless photos were taken at almost every angle and every different bloom existed.

I also manage to capture some polaroid photos to capture moments I had while I was there.

Peace!

<3

Excited much?

My entourage

Group Photo :)

Someone got a bit too excited? ;D

Along the walk through the garden, we took the chance of having the Hering Sandwich and Ice cream.

Truth be told, I prefer the ice-cream more than the sandwich. 

Having said that, the sandwich wasn’t bad, I ate most of it anyway.

The ice-cream.

All in all, we spent some hours in Kuekenhof before heading back.

Up next, Uncle Heerco showed us around the city.

The tram station was just across the street from his home.
Convenience at its best!

Within minutes, we are already in the city.

City, here we go!

One of the many alleys

Should have bought this but sadly I didn't :(

One place you gotta be when you’re in Amsterdam will have to be the I Amsterdam sign.

We missed the one at the airport area, so the one is the city is to make up for the loss.

It was difficult to have a proper photo taken without any of the letter covered up, but we were satisfied with the pictures that we snap.

Hmmm I amste?

Photobomb of a different level

Terdam? try again next time...

Among the things I enjoyed throughout the stroll in the city will have to be the bridges and the bicycles. The building is also one of the things that admire. Feels so right to be there.

Love this.

Marching to the museum

Not long after that, we decided to enter Rijks Museum.

The museum was huge. Each level is designated with a certain era and exhibition.

At times, I was a little overwhelmed with the vast collection and exhibition. It made you just want to wander into each room and examine in detail all it has to offer.

That itself took a handsome couple of hours.

Spot Gandalf and his hobbits? Hahahah

You may now enter...

Inside the museum

It was only at the end of the museum visit, I realised how hectic the first day has been.

First night's dinner

After dinner, I went straight to bed with some medication as I fear I was to catch a fever.

That will surely ruined everything.

Rest assured, I was just tired and it was due to lack of rest.

Day 1, done!

p.s: It is already a year since the trip, but the memories is as if the trip was just yesterday. :)

Boarding : Travel light

As someone who loves to travel, one thing that I always ensure is travel light.

The only two things that I will have on any trip will be, my luggage and my backpack.

I will try my very best to fit everything needed into these two.

My initial luggage and my  favourite backpack; travels with me all the time

Luggage for all the nitty-gritty stuff and my backpack only for things I’ll bring everywhere; charger, notebooks, camera, etc.

That is one habit that I picked up during my Adelaide trip and it continues until this very day.

For the Europe trip, the mantra was MINIMIZE.

Though I have imagined what to wear during the whole trip, I’ll have to live up to the mantra and practically downsize everything.

I end up with an ensemble that can easily be mix and match.

Since I planned the itinerary, the lodging and travelling documents are all under my care. That was the one that I guarded the most prior to us boarding the plane.

And then it was time to leave.

Pre-boarding faces.

Schiphol here we come!

I pretty much slept the whole journey. Waking up only during meal time. Duuuh typical...NOT. :)

Finally the moment that I have been waiting…

The pilot uttered that we have safely landed at Schiphol Airport. 

My heart was jumping and dancing uncontrollably.

It felt surreal.

Schipol

This is how I look after the long journey. Not bad ey? Hahaha

p.s: The story will continue in the next post. Had this completed since last year and realised I forgot to click the publish button. Sigh.