Rotterdam

Again only a small train trip took us further North into the Netherlands and we rolled into Rotterdam in the early PM. A quick taxi took us to the door of Rhiannon's cousin Kate's house where she lives with her dutchy husband David and their 7 month old Olivia. She welcomed us in and set us up with a great room in their awesome 3 level apartment. The next 3 hours or so were full of coffee and tea as Rhi and Kate caught up on years of family goss and developments. Later in the evening we met David who returned home from his day job as a genuine rocket scientist. The next day Kate showed us around there lovely suburb whilst David went off and measured into space without using light… That evening they had some friends from back in Canberra over for a very handy lasagne dinner. On the weekend we went for a sizeable walk though the large local parkland that was in the middle of preparations for a annual equestrian event. The smell of horse shit remains, and I guess always will, a smell of home. After that we sat down at a local pub and David and Kate introduced us to the great dutch food delicacies and frothies. Before we knew it our stay here was over and we were sad to leave after a relaxing couple days of entertaining the very cool little rascal Olivia. Thankyou very much for your first class accommodation guys!

Belgium

Brussels
We rolled into the European capital after a simple 3 hour train ride. A quick tram into the centre of town and pretty much to the door of our hostel. We were told by the hostel staff that an annual street picnic was on so we naturally strolled into a nearby supermarket and grabbed some biscies and hummus. The Belgium people are different… We found a thousand strong crowd making themselves at home on the main road in town. The local coppers had shut off all four roads into the biggest intersection and the masses spread out their rugs, unfolded the card tables and chairs and delved into their bulging picnic baskets. All afternoon the roads remain closed and the Brussels community just chill out on the main road.

 After spending an hour or so with the locals we trekked off in amongst the city streets, taking in the hidden gems in the form of shops, cafe's and well placed wall art on former boring walls. Eventually we located the famous waffle outlet and ordered two regular setups (icing sugar only) and they didn't disappoint. To add insult to injury we ordered the 2nd most famous dish in these parts no longer than 20 minutes later. Belgian's to this day will tell you they came up with the fries idea before the French; they sell you cone shaped cardboard full of beautiful chips covered in your choice of 10+ sauces. Although assaulting the arteries, they are amazing on the taste buds.

During the evenings we cooked and enjoyed the French Open finals and Euro soccer qualifiers before retiring to our private room on the top floor of the hostel exuding a lofty sought of feel, complete with bath and skyline windows.

Ghent
A quick train ride up to the city of Ghent. Arriving around midday we caught the tram 5 minutes out of town to our hostel. Not just any accommodation, but a barge hostel floating on one of the stunning canals that glide though the city. Very cool setup they have on the boat with great facilities, comfy little private and chill out rooms and everything is eco friendly! After checking in we headed out into some average weather but a very 'well worth it' city. We have to recommend the 'Use It' maps that we discovered back in Brussels. They seem to be a non-for-profit travel agency that produce very cool maps for many European cities and small drop in centres run by volunteers that dish out info about the cities/transport as well as free tea and coffee. Look them up! This cool map took us to some great little gems including cafe's, bars, parks and a very interesting psych museum that took us through the history of mental healthcare along with a neighbouring art gallery full of works done by people with mental health illnesses. Art…. one thing that these unfortunately blessed people can match any other human in. Seems to be a platform for all.

After a morning at the psych museum we trammed back into town and discovered the best waffle I have consumed to date. "Halves" we suggest and agree on. Before walking 50 metres and finishing the first we were on our way back for another. It seems to be a simple batter with what looks to be brown sugar balls mashed in randomly. After being in the waffle'er for a minute or so, what comes out is nothing short of perfection!! Later that day we referred back to our map which suggested a traditional, local eatery for dinner so off we went after the standard afternoon guts-up. It didn't disappoint and with full bellies we jumped into a little pub to watch the Germans take on the Dutch in the Euro soccer. Really recommend a visit to Ghent, obe of my fav's.

Paris

We dropped the car off at the Southside airport and then taxi'ed the rest of the way to our hostel up in the Northside of Paris. Settled in and then went for the customary post-arrive wander around the area which included lots of cool, smaller streets with a bohemian feel. After this we stepped it up a notch and trained it into the city and walked our way towards the Eiffel tower. A beautiful clear night made for a great visit and top notch photos and the sun went down and the tower lite up.

The next day Rhi and I headed inwards for a free city tour, whilst Jane made the trip down to Roland Garos to introduce herself to the French Open. Our city tour covered all the important inner city stuff including the Louvre and Champs Elysees. During the afternoon we explored the massive Louvre. This is a place you cannot do in one go... Well if your right into your art. There are so many wings of this building all converging on the impressive glass pyramid centre piece. If your not right into old (mainly religious...<j-bomb on the cross>) paintings this is how you visit the Louvre. Make your way though the sculpture displays as they have some variety and then find you way to 'moaning lisa'. Hate to wreck it for you but she aint that special in my simple opinion. The 4 by 4 metre painting everyone turns their back to as they whip out their camera, phone or ipad to catch lisa moaning is far more impressive. From there you grab the gallery guide and find you way to the piece de resistance!! Gabrielle d’Éstrées and her Sister in a Bath, c. 1595, oil on panel! To me art is something that ascetically creates a reaction and this masterpiece does just that. Also by making your way to this painting, coincidentally you pass a number of good boob pieces from throughout the ages. If I ever get some more free time in Paris one day I will be publishing a book called 'The Boobs of the Louvre'. Now you cant tell me that wouldn't sit well on a coffee table.

The next morning I seriously pissed off the hostel overnight hack when I awoke at 6am for the footy. It was well worth it though as Freo beat the tigers in a ripper at the 'G'. Rhi and I set off that morning for the catacombs (mass graves underground) and then for a walk up the Champs Elysees which is a busy street, to say the least. That night Rhi grabbed a ticket to the Moulin Rouge whilst I wondered the entertaining streets. The next morning we said goodbye to Jane as she headed off to what would be a 2 day mens final and we jumped on a train north to Belgium.