Amsterdam

After saying goodbye to Michele in Brussels, we took the train to Holland, where I had my nurse educator conference.  The conference was held at a hotel out in the middle of the tulip fields, which would be great if the tulips were in bloom, but we weren't there at that time of the year.  Still, we did get to do some fun stuff, like riding bikes and walking, other than just attending the conference.  Our last full day we took a bus and two trains and went to Amsterdam.  While there we visited the Riksmuseum, and the Anne Frank house, and of course walked, seeing the canals and beautiful houses of Amsterdam.

A field by our hotel.  The hotel is on the left (tower is part of the hotel grounds)

The train station in Amsterdam, with beautiful architecture, once again

A church near the train station

I don't know what this building once was, but now it is a mall!

Rachel with the Riksmuseum behind her

A painting of the crucifixion from the year 1260.  Blows my mind!!

And this one is from 1300

A self-portrait of my favorite Dutch artist--Rembrandt

Rachel in front of a Rembrandt

And another Rembrandt

This is one of Vermeer's famous paintings--The Milkmaid

Even the architecture IN the museum was beautiful

Musical Company by Van Rijn

The outside of the Riksmuseum--Beautiful like the art within

Across the canal is a group of girls waiting outside the hotel that One Direction was staying in--hoping to get a glimpse

And of course, the canals, which Amsterdam is famous for

Rachel and I waiting in line outside the Anne Frank House

So Belgium has chocolate, and what does Holland have?  Cheese!!

Our last train ride ended in Haarlem

Our new nurse friends from Malaysia and Indonesia that we met at the bus stop on our way home from Amsterdam

Rachel on the beach near our hotel at sunset (Noordwijk).  Goodbye Holland and Belgium!!  I have had a wonderful time seeing you with Rachel

Happy Birthday, Rachel!!

So for Rachel's 19th birthday, we took the train from Brussels to Liege (Belgium).  Michele gave us great directions again, and it was a mom and daughter day.  It has been a great 19 years having Rachel for a daughter, and hopefully the memories we have made on this trip will be remembered on many of her future birthdays as well.  Here are some from Liege:

Happy 19th Birthday, Rachel!!

The train station in Liege is a a must-see architectural wonder--of course it was easy to do so since we took the train there!

St. Paul's Cathedral

The Castle of the Counts

Another way cool church, which unfortunately was closed  (All were but St. Pauls)

Rachel and I at the bottom of the 375 stairs up to The Castillion

And at the top!!

Look closely--bet Anny, Michele and Alison didn't know they also came along on this birthday trip!!  (Taken from the top of the Castillion)

Such a sophisticated 19 year old!

Kaoma had a specially prepared dinner for us with food from the Congo--complete with the delicacy of caterpillars!  It was a great day/birthday.

Gent/Gand

Today we went to Gent, we meaning Rachel, Michele and I.  Gent is beautiful also, like Brugge, however, has many older buildings and cathedrals.  For example, there is the Castle of the Counts, was first constructed in 1180.  So old!!  Here are some pictures of our day!

Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Jump!  Gent

No, I don't know the guy behind me.  Great architecture (the building, that is)

Michele and Rachel

This is the castle, completed in 1180

View from the castle, taken by Rachel.  She is the only one who went in, because it is free for those under 19, and until tomorrow, she is under 19!

The Castle of the Counts

I liked this picture--an overview of the Saint Nicholas Cathedral (front, left), the Belfry of Gent (center), and on the right, with the scaffolding, the Saint Bavo tower.

Great day in a beautiful city!

Brugge/Bruges Belgium

Today Rachel and I went to Bruges (Brugge in Flemish) by train.  Michele had to work, but gave us AWESOME directions, and we made it with no problems.  BRUGES IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!  I love the houses, the canals, the windmills, the cathedrals.  Since pictures say a thousand words, here they are!!

One of our first views.  Rachel was in love with the city immediately

No way to come to Belgium without eating a waffle!!  REAL Bruges waffles!

Rachel in the main square.  They had trucks set up selling fruits and vegetables.  We bought cherries, since we missed out getting some in the US

There are canals throughout Bruges.  I imagine it is like Holland, but I guess we'll find out soon!

Bruges in in Flanders, the more northern part of Belgium (and nearer to Holland).  All of the street signs were in Flemish

Another view of the cool houses--and the bikes!!  So many people here ride bikes.

Rachel in front of one of the cathedrals.