Relay Bug Baton

 

We began the day in a leisurely fashion, no real plans to rush about on this break anyway, and today was simply a little bit more Amsterdam exploration before seeing in New Year in Haarlem.

We took a gentle stroll down towards the station, stopping off in coffee shops and street traders for more of that Ollibollen. Top tip, don't agree to the extra sugar, I was like an iced cake by the time I got them out to eat on the train.

We caught the tram from Amsterdam Central Station down towards the Dam area, albeit this time we were on the 'right' side, and a little further away from the seedy bits.  Bryn not feeling great so he took a turn back to the hotel after getting a bit of a soaking as we wandered the streets.  Weather seems to be of more a hindrance in the mind I think, the torrential rain as we searched for shelter in the doorways allowed us to take a very street level view of the place and a different kind of appreciation.

We had some time to kill and lunch to eat, found a very quirky cafe, complete with the usual steep stair case to the toilet.  The pancake I had (cheese and bacon) was very nice at the time but writing this (with what came later) means I an now queasy thinking about those and the Ollybollen.  Leaves a nasty taste..

Spent some time alongside the canal ticking off so many Dutch stereotypes. Particular highlights was a tulip museum (that had better be their national flower for future quiz questions) and a cheese museum/shop.  The overall feeling of history, relaxed and funky culture one I enjoyed absorbing without doing.  Have decided Chrissi likes to 'do' when we travel, I like to 'be'. Pick that one apart.

Like the professionals we have finally become actually remembered to book the museum of Anne Frank well in advance so was able to sail in past the security. Amused at one woman who just walked purposefully towards them and was bounced off, bet she gets away with it more often than not.  The factory itself is of course a trip down the personal story of the family in hiding and the more horrific historic events that were happening outside their window and beyond. Each European capital doesn't half remind you of the capability of humans to be inhumane, and we never feel far away from repeating history. Arguably the behaviour is always under the surface ready to bubble up, as we can see in hot spots across the world. We are an odd species, have evolved to understand morality but plenty exploit the basest of instincts.

The factory itself and the famous annexe were interesting of course, no photos allowed but I would certainly recommend it as a top sight in Amsterdam, as others have concurred.

We walked back up towards the main station, seeing the many bars turning from Xmas into New Year, but the twinkly lights and festive cheer still very much apparent on the last day of the year. Sadly, my cheer about to take a nose dive as started to feel a little peculiar.  Bryn down, looks like I was the second to go.

Real shame as had booked the restaurant downstairs for some exquisite food, wine pairing and general gastronomy which is not usually my thing, but felt like a nice thing to do for New Years Eve.  As it turned out, Chrissi will need to pick the story up here. I fought through 2 courses but more just to be seen, and eventually had to give into the virus and return to my room.

(Chrissi)

I was reluctant to go all out on a menu like this as my experiences as a vegetarian abroad, eating out is not always positive.  However the Governer lived up to it's name, with a 4 course feast and some interesting wine pairings.  Started with bubbles and an amuse bouche, indonesian in origin, a croquette.  The starter was beetroot salad paired with a white chenin blanc, both nice and light. Then a really good nut roast with waldorf salad and a red from South African.  Lloyd departed at this point, only Carys and I left.  The main was a miso roasted aubergine 'steak' on a bed of mash parsnips, with roasted leeks and parsnips, again really tasty and beautifully cooked with a Moroccan vintage.  The dessert was a beautiful light, raspberry cake with white chocolate ice cream.  This was served with port and upon tasting the port, i started to feel slightly dodgy myself.  Managed to pay and get back to the room before things went terribly wrong.

(Lloyd) So over to Carys, the worst kind of relay team this ...

(Carys)

Last one standing somehow, felt lively enough and wanted to see the fireworks that people had promised were very extravagant. We had heard them for the last 24hrs.  The 2 brave soldiers (Mum and Dad) tried to make it outside with me but turned back after 20 yards in the wind and rain.  Said my farewells and went to the square, wasn't sure what I was waiting for, found a place on the edge with a group of people singing Bohemian Rhapsody. Hovered about, waited for New Year, got quite populated from the pubs, countdown in dutch and then saw the fireworks from many different places. Also sparklers, champagne bottles and jolly, a passer by hugged me.  People then throwing firecrackers onto the floor, clock tower was lit up and would have loved to have been up there.  Called it a day, tried to look for a better view in the hotel but to no avail. Called in on the family, said happy new years and bounced off to bed.

(Lloyd) Sadly not a happy ending to Carys story either but that is for another day!