Then it was off to Maastricht where the treaty that formed the European Union took place. We met up with a friend of Maaike’s (and mine) from TCD – Eefje (who travelled with Maaike in NZ- many moons ago).

Maaike’s parents took us on a walk about and to a Belgian Beer garden (in Belgium – where it’s cheaper) for a beer.

This marker is part of the Grand Randoneé network of huge walks throughout continental Europe. From here you can walk 2512km down to Nice (it would be, wouldn’t it ;)

We also visited an old fort where there was an interpretive centre attached. There were some interesting stories etc… and also, it turns out, time for our first poll in quite a while. Maaike is hidden somewhere in this picture… is she on the Left, in the middle, or on the right…? Vote now.

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Then it was time for a walkabout in the city. It really had a very nice feel to it actually – with a big amusement park installed in the centre (temporarily). Also, the traffic lights have achieved gender equality here.

The only bad thing about this trip really, is that saying goodbye to friends can be a little hard – it really is the downside of living in NZ. That said, I’m sure given time that NZ will become more and more of a desirable place to live – and then we’ll be having lots more visitors!

Next it was off for the summit attempt of the holiday. Preparations were made: Sherpas enlisted, Oxygen masks bought, donkeys hired, food dumps dropped in by air…

The day dawned crisp and chill. The 2 am start was hard, but needed – have to get to the top before the ice starts to melt. Crampons pulled on, grim determination set on our faces. Off we set.

The most dangerous / difficult part *by far* was crossing past the man with the crank handled music playing device just before reaching the summit – and close by – the triple point of where Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands meet.

Just time for the obligatory summit photo (and video) (322 POINT FIVE metres), before descending to a safer altitude.

Then went for an enjoyable walk through lovely woodland forest. I must say, Meneer Jongerius’ navigation skills were actually quite impressive. We walked through paths seldom trod – and had a yum picnic (more Boursin – can’t beat that stuff).

And on the way back we dropped into Maaike’s summer house – where I took a short video of the place.

After arriving back from our cycling trip – it was time to see the surrounds of Maaike’s Southern part of The Netherlands. First stop was Roermond which is the principal city in the area. Now, historically (and currently I suppose) the Northern part of The Netherlands was protestant – and the Southern part Catholic. Certainly the picturesque city was full of statues. Here’s a model of the city…

In the city there were lots of wells. Each well had its own protecting statue – I suppose the bigger the statue the more prosperous the area..?!

We also went into the Munsterkerk – which was a stunning building built (or started at least) in 1410.

And it also had one of the most gruesome statues of Christ that I have ever seen.

And a video of the inside of the cathedral.

And one of the more… feminine? statues of Mary that I have ever seen (not in the Cathedral)

We also visited a graveyard nearby. This was quite an interesting place – it was split into sections for Catholics, Jews, Protestants and Non religious. Also, as it’s such a desirable place to be buried – you basically rent space (20 years at a pop I think). You can also buy a plot if you’re rich enough. Quite odd – probably happens in other places – but I for one haven’t seen that before.

There’s also a beautiful example of marriage cross-religious boundaries. I’ve forgotten the lineage of the people, but presumably important and rich – and one a Catholic and the other a Protestant. They couldn’t get buried in the same part of the cemetery, but they did get buried one on either side of the wall – and shook hands over the top. Lovely.

One of? the routes to Santiago de Campostella goes through Roermond.. quite the pilgrimage.

And finally, another picture of a cheese shop!

Oh – and a funky statue.

Next it was off to visit Maaike’s brother Sjoerd in Nijmegen. Nijmegen is the oldest city in The Netherlands. Or, at least, it thinks it is. Well, even if it doesn’t actually think it is, it *declared* itself the oldest. Either way, it’s a groovy city – not least for the hot chocolate (more about that later).

Nijmegen is traditionally a city for hippies and liberals. Sjoerd seems to have made his way into one of the most hippyish and liberal accommodations in the city. And it’s very very cool. Basically back about 40?! years ago a bunch of like minded individuals bought 4 houses in town beside each other to make a small community. They took out a mortgage and ran the whole place as a community (knocked down the garden walls to make a really big allotment). As time progresses people (inmates?! ;) come and go, but the basic philosophy stays the same. Rent is cheap, you cook and eat together (if you want), play games (more on that later) and generally it’s not completely unlike the place where I live (and love). What’s interesting is that the mortgage is coming to the end of its life – and I’m not quite sure what happens then – but it would be a shame if it fell apart.

Anyway, seeing as it’s unlikely anyone is actually reading this (rather than skimming to pictures ;) I’ll put in a picture of Sjoerd and his friend Merijn, and the fine, fine dinner they gave us one evening (honestly, it was, as they say, scrumdiddlyumptious)

Dutch oddity #4 – Clogs

This is a picture of a clog (wooden shoe).

Now, as you know the Dutch are renowned as an economical people – which should be recognised as an excellent trait in our current consumer age. Now, as wooden shoes have a very very long shelf life – basically everybody wears them – all the time. It’s kinda disconcerting the first time you walk down a street and hear what sound like millions of tap dancers – but hey – you get used to it.

One day we went for a cycle around the outskirts of town – seeing all the polders (reclaimed land).

This was followed up by, frankly, the best hot chocolate I have ever had in my entire life. If you’re in Nijmegen – this is an absolute must do. A must must do. Its served in De Blaauwe Hand – (The Blue hand – so named because of the textile makers who had blue hands from the dying process). Basically they get quality flakes (well, 5mm diameter balls) of good Belgian chocolate, steamed milk, and an aperitif?! and you mix it up yourself. It was sensational.

This has turned into quite the gastronomic post really.. still, this was followed up another day with just my favourite thing for lunch – a fresh Baguette and Boursin cheese. Honestly, my favourite. Still not sure if / where you can get Boursin in NZ.

Oh – and we played a really fun game of Werewolves and Villagers. In the basic game everyone gets given a card (You don’t have to have special cards (though we did, and I want to get a set soon!)) with a picture of a werewolf or a villager on it.

With 9 people, 2 would be werewolves, and the rest villagers. The werewolves get to identify themselves secretly to each other (everyone closes their eyes at ‘night’) and kill someone. Then everyone wakes up (villagers and werewolves) and try to work out who did it. At the end of each round the villagers vote to kill someone they think is a werewolf. So the werewolves have to try to sneakily get the villagers to kill one another.

It’s a really fun (and stressful ;) game. Well worth a play.

Unfortunately it was then time to leave Nijmegen and cycle to Maaike’s parents place in Posterholt. That was about 100km cycle or something. My bum wasn’t quite up to it. No idea why, it has plenty of padding – but I think just not used to their saddles / the position you sit in on the bike. Or something. And yes, I am making excuses, but it’s my blog and I’m allowed to. :Þ

So we took the cycle networks – complete with maps showing you where to go. It really is the ideal country for biking.

Then when I really couldn’t hack it any longer – we put our bikes on the train for the rest of the journey.

And a short video of us leaving Nijmegen.

And finally, a picture I thought was funny ;)

After Utrecht we headed up to Amersfoort to meet up with school? friends of Maaike’s. Two friends (Danny and Charlotte) were getting engaged – and this was a surprise party.

Simone and Sander who I had met before in NZ organised an excellent outing. We hired a small motor boat and went for a slow putter about on the canals.

Unfortunately it completely bucketed with rain…

and was really quite cold. Fortunately, the blanket I’d bought the day before came in very useful – so I tucked myself up nicely ;)

Played lots of games, had delicious food and wine evening – and had a generally lovely weekend.

Queens day (Koninginnedag) is a crazy day in The Netherlands and Maaike and I spent it in The Hague.

Mostly the country turns into one massive car-boot sale. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t the best, but I did manage to pick up some bargains!

I bought Rummikub for $2 (she tried to charge me 1, but I bargained her up), and a fleece blanket for $2, but I bargained up to $3.50 or something. There’s nothing quite like reverse bargaining for messing with Dutch minds ;)

Dutch Oddity #3 – Raw Herring

I also tried raw herring – which is a very Dutch thing to do… They even eat it with cream. Which is definitely odd.

Not tooooo bad actually.

Went for a wander around town with Catherine, Floor and Jip (college friends of Maaike’s) – and along the beach called Scheveningen.

Interestingly, after WW2 one way of catching Germans who were pretending to be Dutch was to get them to try to pronounce Scheveningen. Basically it’s impossible unless you’re properly Dutch.

Here’s a picture of the beach at scheveningen! (lots of kite surfing happening)

So off on the bikes to Utrecht where Maaike went to University and studied.

It would be fair to say that for the first day of cycling I was petrified. Well, at least more than a bit scared. Cycling on the right was different of course and obviously everyone expects you to know what you’re doing (which wasn’t remotely correct in my case).

Here’s a picture of Maaike’s secondary school. Interestingly, spent most of her time mitching and playing cards – and now ends up implementing literacy and numeracy programmes. Oh the irony ;)

So, as I said in an earlier post, this country is completely setup for bikes. Priority wise bike lanes are *a part of the road* – even though they’re physically separated. This means that drivers have to give way to you when crossing them. Also, there’s a law here (apparently – still seems bizarre) that if a car hits a bike *at all*… then the car is at fault.

Does this really mean that, say, I’m cycling the wrong way down a one way street and hit into a car – that it’s the cars fault?!?! Seems utterly utterly bizarre. If any Dutch care to enlighten that would be most appreciated!

Updated – Maaike’s dad rang the police to find out! Basically insurance wise the car is always at fault, but legally this may not be the case!

So, at the train station you can see lots and lots of bikes parked and also, below, you can see the clever little grooves they make to allow you to easily wheel your bike up & down accessing the platforms. Very clever.

First stop in Utrecht was IngeJudith – a flatemate of Maaike’s (with her baby Sjoerd – very well behaved!). Went for a lovely bike ride through Utrecht and De Bilt. Unfortunately my bottom was quite saddle-sore, so didn’t take too many pictures.

Maaike’s friend Annick was kind enough to put us up while in Utrecht (thanks! see you in NZ soonish :)

So the time in Utrecht was split nicely between touring about and meeting up with work, college and football friends of Maaike’s. Lovely bunch, but I think I’ll have to get substantially better at Dutch before venturing this way again.

Some pictures…

There were lots of these water towers dotted about the place. Not sure if they were defensive in nature too, but certainly impressive!

Had a delicious dinner with former work-mates of Maaike – can’t get tapas like these in ChCh. Or, if you can, I’ve not found them yet! Hopefully will see some of them NZ way.

Spent a few days at Maaike’s parents place.. eating yum food and going for some walks in the area.

Both of Maaike’s parents are excellent chefs – and have been good enough to prepare some of the local specialities. Pictured below is white asparagus. Maaike has been bleeting on about this for years – and while it was delicious – I didn’t find it *hugely* different from regular green asparagus. Yum though. Also pictured is, I kid you not, Maaike’s mum’s wooden spoon. Heh.

One day we went for a walk around the local environs. Their house is very close to the German (and Belgian) borders. We crossed and re-crossed the German border all day.. and I pretty much prooved the ‘you’ll never know when we cross the border’ proclamation false.

Pictured here is one of the border markers, with Maaike and Gerrit (brother in law)

We went to a pub and had a fine Belgian beer, and some bitterballen (deep fried left over meaty things). Heart attack on a stick, but very very delicious.

Maaike and Sjoerd also tried some gymnastic moves in the garden, and Sjoerd and I had a decent battle over a game of Tantrix (draw!)

Finally.. a video of the mountain near the house..

After the wedding we all headed South to Posterholt which is where Maaike’s parents live – close by the border with Germany and Belgium.

On the way we visited a really interesting music museum. Unfortunately my camera had run out of batteries and have misplaced the cable to get pictures off Maaike’s camera.

But, the music museum was really excellent. Basically a physics prof had collected instruments over about 60 years – donated them all to a museum and now runs it with his wife. There were some amazing artefacts there – and really interesting to see the development of various instruments. I will put up pictures and video’s later. But here’s a pic of the building.

Also worth pointing out is that houses in The Netherlands make extremely efficient use of space. In fact, I suspect that some of the best interior designers are probably Dutch in origin. Here’s a picture of Maaike going down stairs in the B&B we stayed in.

This is typical of houses here.. I can only imagine how many foreign necks are broken on a drunken night out in this country. Seriously – very very steep!

Another interesting thing you see all over the place is bike paths, and signage.

These ‘paddestoel’ or mushrooms are dotted about the place. They give you a marker number (on the top) and then distances with arrows to localish towns and villages. The number on top is also on maps & guides so you can tour about using these points.

These mushrooms are being replaced by more modern maps and signposts – but the basic idea stays the same. Very clever.

Finally.. it’s time for:

Oddity #2 : Toilets.

Here is a picture of a (clean) Dutch toilet.

Note the ledge. This has two major effects that I can think of:

• No Splash
• Smell

(sorry to be explicit mum).

Personally, I think the latter outweighs the former, but I’m open to eloquent, reasoned debate on the matter.

The close family and guests gathered at a hotel before the wedding couple arrived. It was fun to meet some of the cousins and uncles & aunts that Maaike had talked about. Here she is pictured with her cousin Sietske.

Interestingly – the Dutch don’t have a word to distinguish between cousin and niece/nephew. Strange, but true.

After a little while (and a few pictures) Femke and Gerrit – the Bride and Groom arrived. Looking beautiful and dashing in equal measure. Actually, on the whole Dashing and Beautiful thing – it would be fair to say that, on the whole, The Dutch are a pretty attractive race of people.

Anyways – yes, the couple arrived and off we went to an ancient church for the ceremony.

The church was properly old, with that delicious old smell that comes with buildings that have been around for a really long time. The entire service was in Dutch – so I didn’t really understand too much of it – though I did join in the hymns with great gusto!

After the service it was off to the reception.

More pictures were taken :)

Then time for a yum buffet (sit where you like – quite a difference from Irish Weddings there), before dancing the night away.

The DJ was excellent – even throwing in The Netherlands’ main musical claim to fame – yes – 2 Unlimited ;)