DUB >>> AMS

As the kaleidoscopes faded from the sky and awareness came back into my body, I felt the desire for the trip to be over. It wasn’t a bad trip, it did exactly as it was supposed to… Awaken my mind to a new reality. That reality was; this was my past, who I was, not who I am. I wanted to have my mind back firmly in my head where it belonged. I wanted to feel “normal” again. And slowly it was returning, but it felt like ages before I finally was myself again. The beautiful awakening and opening of the mind as promised, opened my mind to the realization that I have changed.

The Netherlands were such an amazing treat to my rain soaked soul. Finally a chance to dry the dampness from the deepest recesses of my mind. The sun was shining and it was thirty degrees centigrade, Tompers was elated so. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. It had been so long since I actually needed my sunglasses. I never realized how much of a muddy rut the rain had caught me in. I was seriously depressed and I hadn’t even grasped how so, until the sun kissed my skin, dried my soul, and warmed my heart. Chasing the darkness from the innermost parts of me and filling them with light, happiness and hope.

In true tourist fashion we picked up a rental at the airport, Tompers was elated with the tiniest Toyota ever. It grew on me as well. I never would have imaged driving a car like that but now when I go home I totally want one. Home, that’s something to sort out…

Not wanting to miss anything I had an epic driving journey planned out. Part of which was one of National Geographic’s “Road Trips of a Lifetime”. Now I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed with the drive. It should be a cycling trip. Tompers had his head out the window in envy at every cyclist we past. I haven’t trained at all, but I’m sure I could manage a 60km bike ride in a day on flat ground, with Tompers attached to my handbars. I reckon my ass would hurt for a few days but really, would have been so worth it. However, no regrets!

We stopped at the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, it was soooo insanely busy taking photos was just not something I was interested in doing. That being said, the sun was shining, a break from the driving to get some sun was more than appreciated and well worth the entrance fee. (I pre-purchased online “to avoid the cue”, but there really wasn’t one even though the place was packed, just saying)

The biggest downfall to having a vehicle was there was literally no parking anywhere. We tried to stop in Den Haag for dinner but ended up spending an hour crawling along the beach, where the parking was, as there was none and everyone had the same idea. I was there on a holiday weekend after all. Which I of course did not know until after I had booked my flights… Note to self, look up national holidays before booking flights.

Detouring to go to de Hoge Veluwe National Park was a bit of a disappointment. All of the famous white bikes had be taken so we had to drive it. Driving a National Park did remind me of home, as that is how I have seen most of them, but it was not what I had imagined when I made the detour. There were lots of pullover spots to do walks and we had a few small adventures before getting back on the road. I was definitely more disappointed with myself for having slept in and missed out on the bikes. This is a park I would recommend pre-purchasing an entry ticket as there was an unnecessarily long entry cue. I wished I had given myself a whole day, a bicycle, and a picnic. Alas I did not and there were no bikes, so it was a short and sweet before getting back on the road.

I don’t know what I expected from Rotterdam, but I can’t get that faking song out of my head. All I have to say is Belgium Bachelor Party. Such a fun city. I somehow ended up with yet another pair of white sunglasses…

Oh Amsterdam… I spend my entire time there in the park. I’m sure the grocery store thought I was casing the place. I was in three times a day. I didn’t actually think I would spend all day in the park every day… but I couldn’t even help myself. I would also like to mention, my scarf everyone made fun of years ago, was in fact an awesome picnic blanket. #winning

How do you cross a place off your bucket list when you’re dying to

go back before you even leave?