Am backsterdam

Last proper day but put in a four hour stop in Cologne on the way to have a look around.

During my walk in the morning I noticed some wag had stored his bike safely, possibly while having a night on the town

Cologne has a famous cathedral, and it is a dark and sinister building if I have ever seen one.

Despite a bit of rain walking to Aachen Hbf and some in arrival in Cologne the weather was OK.

Marvellous back in Amsterdam even, where the tourists were out and about in droves in the redlight district

Did I mention I had a pretzel and curriewort in Cologne

Charlie 2

Second full day in Aachen. Sunday, so most places are closed.

I went to the Charlemagne centre, after all that's why I am here.

Saw a good statue

Lots of interesting artefacts, including a

Medieval crown of some sort.

Then a wander around th city which has some Sharm despite being generally grey.

Went this afternoon to the Ludwig centre of modern art. Quite few interesting pieces but I am not sure that any could compete with the shop window on the way back to the hotel

More fries for diner. Hopefully the guacamole ones.

Aachen marvellous

Rainy day on the trip to Aachen from Luxembourg. Got to the stop off at Liege which I had changed to 80 minutes because I don't like quick changeovers. Put my luggage in storage for an hour to have a look around and it started bucketing down.

Go to Charlemagne's city though.

Church is pretty impressive

Too big to get in one photo as you can't get back far enough from it.

In the treasury is a reliquary with his actual skull in it

And a book from his actual royal school

I also went to the Rathaus 

And had a good old walk around.

Saw this so had to take a photo just to prove it exists

Loving Luxembourg

Luxembourg is beautiful, the city is stunning, at least the old part where I am staying in Place Guillame. Then there is the amazing gorge of two rivers, with the Grund at the bottom

Pretty city

Place Guillame 

Amazing gorge

Grund 

There is also a church in Grund attached to an abbey that has a famous black madonna

The food is marvellous, lots of pastries and quiches etc but the national dish is pork with beans and potato. Not just any pork beans and potato mind

Absolutely loving the place. Not wrapt in the hotel. Tiny, no fridge or tea coffee facilities. Timed free wifi on only one device at a time, and THEY RAN OUT OF MUESLI AT BREAKFAST!

Goeden daag

Had a great day. Started off looking for the chapel market. Found the chapel but not the market.

Then went to the Magritte museum

Then to the cathedral, which was cathedralish.  Hard to be impressed after churches in Rome. I suppose the grandeur is the thing.

Went

To Gaasbeek Castle, wasn't sure whether to bother or not. Just a castle and the only close one. It was great. Rebuilt many times and a bit I'df a romantic folly the last time

Inside is more like a chateau, inside the outside I mean

Here is me in a lady's bathroom photographing the mirror.

And why are kings always drinking?

Waterloo

Went to Waterloo. Not the station, not in Sydney. The real one where the battle was. The actual battle site is about 3 miles south which the hotel man didn't tell me. Nevermind I got to see the Duke of W museum which is actually in Waterloo.

The meseum at the site is pretty full on. It also has a 3D film which is amazing.

Rain came today but then it fined up again.

Likin' Laeken

Lovely start to the day, by that I mean lazy.

Went to Laeken where there is the cathedral, the Brussels version of a legends cemetery, the royal palace and an atomier.

Try and guess which is which

Obviously the atomier is not there. The king and queen of the Belgians live in the funny connected balls thing.

On return went to the Old Masters gallery. Brueghel is amazing, well elder and younger are.

Also Rubens

Actually, that might be the king getting pissed, no wonder he wants to live in an atom Palace.  Here is Rubens

Went on a health kick for dinner.

Belgium wins the fries off. Also a waffle with a whole banana hidden in whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Russell's mussels

First arrive in Brussels, excellent directions to hotel. Room is huge and very comfortable. Neighbourhood a bit dodgy maybe (noisy etc)

Did sandemans tour, found mussels and frites for dinner.

Certainly not as clean as Amsterdam, but more character I think. Also had a savoury waffle for lunch. Like an extra tasty toasted sandwich.

Today went to Bruges. Super pretty city

Should have stayed there and visited Brussels.

Went to the requisite gallery too and had hot chocolate and Belgian strawberry pancake for lunch.

Back to Brussels and went for the stomp for dinner. So that is three things off my Belgian bucket list of food.

Denhaagenhaarlemeenzondvoortaanzee

Went to Den Haag yesterday, the royal town seat of Netherlands Government and the location of the international court of justice.  

There is also a wishing tree out the front where you hang your wish for the world. I wished for kindness and truth

After that I went to Mauritshuss where there are many amazing paintings including this one

It really is very impressive close up

Went to the beach at Zandvoort aan Zee today. Went for a paddle, it was cold but not as cold as the Tassie beach I reckon.

Went to Haarlem on the way back

Finally found some haring brood to try, then went to Corrine Ten Boom huis, but the queue was too long. Got some strop waffle when back in Amsterdam and am determined to try some Dutch Pea soup at dinner time. Then my eating bucket list for Netherlands will be done.

Van Dam

I did see a van today, tiny little one person thing. Motor bike with a hood really.

There is a large skylight in my room with no curtain or blocker, I guess I will be up at 5.00 am every morning.  On the up side (few and far between with this hotel so far), they make their own croissants and they are fantastic.

Went on a Sandemans walking tour this morning. Very interesting and entertaining as they always are.

There is the crew. With crooked houses in the background.

This is outside a church in the red light district. And the tour guide said "fuck".

Finished outside Anne Frank house

And had the bitterballen with beer for lunch.

Making my way through typical Dutch foods

Dam

Arrived yesterday at 6.30 am.

Couldn't get in to hotel room until after 2.00 pm.

Nothing to do but wander and yawn

Did manage to get to the Amsterdam royal palace that used to be the council chambers.

Nice bedroom for visitors

When I got back it was banana and muesli bar for dinner before an early night, but I did have to try one of their famous waffles