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Adamson's Christmas Vacation
  • Debbie Adamson

Adamson's Christmas Vacation

A 40-day adventure by Debbie Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 15, 2016
  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Adelaide to Dubai

    December 17, 2016 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Had a good flight. We all slept a bit this time, I think the busy week finally caught up. It also helped having a constant rock of turbulence most of the way. When we landed it felt like we taxied to Abu Dhabi then caught a bus back to the terminal! Just for something different. A picture of the stars in the roof when we were asleep on the plane, our menu on the plane and Dubai airport.Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Dubai to Amsterdam

    December 17, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Had a great flight to Amsterdam. A few photos of what you could see out the window.
    Amsterdam cold and overcast but made pretty by all the Christmas lights. It got dark about 4.30pm which was hard for us when we just wanted to go to bed. I don't think we will see blue sky for awhile.Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Jetlag

    December 18, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌫 5 °C

    Well its 5.30 in the morning and we are up having a coffee.
    After a 5hr car trip from Whyalla to Adelaide (for Debbie a 45min plane trip, I think I had the better deal working and then flying) 13hr flight from Adelaide to Dubai 3hr stopover and lastly 7hr flight from Dubai to Amsterdam.
    We went through customs very quickly all bags arrive with us which is always a good feeling. Easily bought our metro pass and found the train into Amsterdam Central. Always a interesting ride on trains and trams with your luggage.
    After a few extra steps we found our apartment and had a warm welcome from Paul our host. He took one look at us and thought he had better turn the heating down. Only people walking around with t-shirts! When he left we turn the heating off.
    We did rug up to go looking for a supermarket.
    If we survive Amsterdam it may be a miracle, I'm sure it will be death by a cyclist or dodging one.
    Really didn't find what we were looking for but picked some essentials from an organic supermarket. I did see a lot of street vendors selling ollie bollies as we call them in Whyalla. So will have to try them and see how Whyalla's compares.
    Tea wasn't much success so it was showers and into bed by 7.30pm.
    We are just waiting for the rest of Amsterdam to wake up and go and explore.
    If all else fails we have one of Amsterdam famous coffee shops across the road if we need to chill out. Which reminds me Kellie got her first wiff of cannabis walking the streets last night.
    Photo of view from our apartment window.    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson
    1

    Day out in Amsterdam

    December 18, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌫 4 °C

    It's hard to get used to the late sunrise and early sunset if there is even a sun out there.
    Kellie is struggling as she is like a rooster, gets up with the sun and goes to bed when the sun goes down.
    We caught the tram and headed back to the zoo where you could see Flamingos from the road. A wander and a few photos then continued walking to where the kids had put a padlock on a bridge the last time we were here, only to find it had been cut off.
    After being disappointed we decided to find a place famous for their apple pie. After a bit of a walk and not really knowing where we were going the 'hangry's' set in. We walked past a pancake shop and decided to stop there. It was a good choice yum yum. Then we set off to Madame Tussauds as Brodie has wanted to do this every holiday. As by the photo you can see my favourite. Brodie loved the Marvel comic characters. It was very good and interactive. We decided to hop on a tram and see where it would take us. Ended up at the Museumplien where the "I am Amsterdam" sign is. There was markets set up here and we had a wander and a snack. Time to head back to the apartment. Lost Dave on the way, we got off the tram but he got stuck behind someone and the tram went off. He eventually walked back to us. Our joke for the trip now. We cooked tea which was a bit more of a success than last night. Then we went for a walk, except Brodie who fell asleep again.
    All in all, a good day.
    Photo 1- Ice rink at the 'I am Amsterdam'
    Photo 2 - Just getting light at 8.30am
    Photo3 - Flamingos at the zoo
    Photo 4 - Brodie's pancake: banana, strawberry sauce and whipped cream
    Photo 5 - My new screen saver Chris Hemsworth/Thor
    Photo 6 - Frites at the markets    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson
    2

    Foodie day in Amsterdam

    December 19, 2016 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    It was nice to see blue sky today but it wasn't any warmer. Today we visited the Anne Frank Huis, which was a very somber experience.
    Then we went and found Winkel 43 that is famous for it's apple pie. The line was out the door but I was determined to have this pie. We lined up not knowing if we would have a table to eat at. Well, I must say it is the best apple pie I have ever tasted and we did have a table to eat it at. When we left the line was out the door and down the street.
    In the afternoon we did a food tour for 4hrs trying different types of dutch food. Kids did really well trying different things. The Herring was probably the only thing we couldn't eat. Dave had a piece, Brodie & I touched it with our teeth and Kellie couldn't come at it. Learnt a lot of interesting things about Amsterdam on the way. A very tiring day and it will be sad to leave tomorrow.

    Photo 1 - Winkel 43 Apple Pie
    Photo 2 - Canal
    Photo 3 - Frites
    Photo 4 - Herring
    Photo 5 - Canal
    Photo 6 - Lights of Amsterdam    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Farewell Amsterdam

    December 20, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 🌙 0 °C

    Early rise with Kellie waking us up with her ATAR results. We didn't go back to sleep. We packed up and headed to the train station via the Red Light District. We were a bit early to see the girls but we did see the booths. Brodie's comment "at least they have heaters". That was all: a stool and a heater. This morning was the coldest at 3 but weather zone said it felt like -4 and we would agree.
    On the train there is still frost in the paddocks an its the afternoon.
    A few things about Amsterdam:
    Pedestrians have no rights, even on a footpath. Even though there is dedicated bike paths they still go on footpaths along with scooters, cars & trucks.
    They carry anything on the bikes, nothing is too big, small or wide. Funniest thing yesterday, a guy riding a bike while dragging a rolling suitcase.
    Dutch children are the cutest kids ever. Miss getting my photo of them on bikes with their parents.
    I'm putting this in a more polite way than Kellie did. She is coming back to find a husband to have dutch babies. I picked out a nice guy working behind the bar that I thought would make good babies.
    You do not see any obese dutch people only us tourists. The reason for this is the mode of transport is pushbike and all buildings have stairs and the dutch are into organic food.
    Dogs are allowed everywhere even in eating places.
    Photo 1 - Morning tea, yes food again!
    Photo 2 - Cold foggy Amsterdam at 11.30am
    Photo 3 - Our train    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Christmas in Germany

    December 20, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 🌙 0 °C

    We had a great 2hr train ride from Amsterdam to Duisberg.
    You know its cold when there is still frost in the paddocks at 2pm. The countryside is always beautiful along the way.
    We picked up our hire car and drove to a town near Essen (Gelsenkirchen-Horst). Once again we were welcomed by warm host and very warm apartment.
    As always, we turned the heating right down. We walked down to the shops to buy something for tea. We needed some home cooked wholesome food. It will be a early night as it was a very early morning.
    A photo to show we don't just eat pankcakes and apple pie!    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson
    2

    Brass Monkey Weather

    December 21, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 🌙 4 °C

    We awoke to a very frosty morning. Dave & I walked down to the bakery to pick up some fresh rolls for breakfast. You really can't beat Germany's bakeries; their fresh breakfast rolls are delicious. We decided to head to Dusseldorf to look at their Christmas Markets. We caught a train as it's easier than finding a park. The forecast was for rain or snow. Well it did neither but it was so so cold, by far our coldest day. Well every second stall was either food or Gluwein. There was 7 Christmas markets around the town. I think we did a pretty good job of seeing all of them. Well my feet think we did. There was a very strong police presence around the markets. Dave had his photo taken with a couple of them.
    We were going to call into the Essen Christmas Markets but we were too tired and cold.
    We are still struggling with the time zone. It is dark by 5pm and your body is telling you it is 9pm. Then it is so dark in the morning you just don't have any concept of time. I will never whinge about our time zone or daylight savings again.

    Photo 1 - Ice on our car
    Photo 2 - Ice at the train stop
    Photo 3 - Reibekuchen (deep fried potato cakes served with apple sauce or garlic sauce)
    Photo 4 - kids happy they found dunkin donuts
    Photo 5 - shop front of a bakery
    Photo 6 - Duesseldorf    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Damp morning in Gelsenkirchen-Horst

    December 22, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    It is a damp day today, thankful for our rain jackets as we walked down to the bakery to get our breakfast rolls. We were lucky again to get the same lad who speaks a bit of English as he spent some time in America. He did point out that our Australian English is different.
    We are having a quiet morning resting up. We were going to go for a walk around here but it started raining again, although with the rain it isn't as cold.
    We are going to Viersen Dulken this afternoon to see Bernhard, Monika, Magdalena & Julian. Kellie is going to a party with Magdelena and then going ice skating outdoors tonight. Brodie is going to some climbing thing with Julian. We will be driving there so another stressful hour.
    Photo of Zuckerkuchen-Sugar cake. Texture & lightness of a sponge cake but it was a yeast cake.    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Afternoon with friends

    December 23, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We drove to Viersen Dulken which is 1 hour away from us. Stressful drive for me, Germany has a very different style of driving. Dave does really well, we are thankful for the sat-nav we couldn't image trying to navigate through the autobahns with a paper map. I know I would spit the dummy and be on the side of the road. We did get done with the speed camera again! The Germans don't obey speed signs if there is any but they do know where the speed cameras are and then they slow down, us australian dumb bunnies don't. Lesson learnt: if all of sudden they aren't flying past you there is a camera coming up.
    It was lovely to catch up with the family, we walked in and it was like we had never left. We had good German coffee and Monika had baked their traditional Christmas biscuits. Which the kids want the recipes for. Kellie went off with Magdalena to her friend's house where they did their Kris Kringle, played games and ate biscuits. They have an American exchange student at the school. So Kellie had someone who spoke English and translated for her. They all learn and speak limited English but often the translation gets a bit confusing. With Magdelena I forget that you have to speak in simple terms not our slang. She didn't understand 'there were people rocking up'. I had to rephrase and say people arriving. The three girls went to an outdoor skating rink where they taught Kellie to ice skate. They had lots of fun and Kellie had a few falls but did get the hang of it.
    Brodie went to a clip and climb with Julian and then on to Laser tag. Both places did an English version of the instructions for him. He worked up a bit of a sweat at both places. He really enjoyed the laser tag.
    We sat and chatted with Bernhard and Monika and found out we won't be able to catch up with Mr & Mrs Kunz as their daughter is in hospital. After we picked up the boys we had soup and fresh rolls. Monika made her family soup recipe, leek and cheese with mincemeat through it. It was delicious, I would like that recipe too. Bernhard took Dave & I down to a small pub to sample the Traditional Christmas drink 'Gluwein'. A spiced warm red wine. It certainly warms you up. A stroll back then off to pick the girls up. Then we drove back to Gelsenkirchen-Horst. It was a lovely day catching up and sampling some of their Christmas traditions.    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Essen Christmas Markets

    December 23, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 🌙 4 °C

    After a late night, we are all a bit slow this morning. Another stroll to the bakery to pick up rolls for breakfast and a chat to the guy who has been serving us every morning.
    We caught the train into Essen which takes about 30 minutes. Once again a heavy police presence at the entrances of the markets. The Essen Christmas Markets is represented by a lot of different countries. Even though Brodie couldn't see the point of going to another market when you just see the same things. Once again we tried a few different foods. There was always a line up for Heisser Kartoffelte which was bolognaise meat wrapped in a potato pastry then deep fried and a tomato sauce with cheese in it then poured over. Served with a salad which was nice but have no idea what it was. We shared one just to have a taste.
    For dessert we had a Bratapfel (baked apple with custard). Once again we shared one, that was a hit with everyone. We would like to stay until night to see the christmas lights, but we are always too tired. We started to head back to the train station and I found another Christmas Market much to Brodie's disgust. Most of the markets finish today but Dortmund continues after Christmas so we plan to go on the 26th, so he is really enthused about that.

    Photo 1 - Apple strudel
    Photo 2 - Heisser Kartoffelte
    Photo 3 - Bratapfel
    Photo 4 - Brodie enjoying the Christmas Markets
    Photo 5 & 6 Christmas Markets    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    It was the day before Christmas

    December 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    It is 7am over here and we are up having a coffee. Dave reading the papers back in Australia. You have to love technology. Today we are here until about 2.30pm then we head off to Viersen Dulken to spend Christmas Eve with Bernhard & Monika. We will be staying the night and returning after breakfast to spend Christmas day here. We will be going to their church, which is the largest in their area. They are Catholic churches over here. Monika will be singing in the choir. It will go for about 2hrs so it will be an interesting 2hrs not understanding anything. I haven't told the kids how long it goes for so when they read this there will be some squawks. Hopefully we can sign into their wifi to send Christmas messages otherwise it will have to be on our Christmas Day here.
    I am cooking the kids favourite meal on Christmas day. In the apartment we have a fully functional kitchen which is good. We did forget to buy a little Christmas tree from the markets. Will have to see what's around here.
    Will be thinking of you all on Christmas Day. ♡♡♡♡

    Photo 1 - Our Christmas socks we bought at the market
    Photo 2 - French Nouget from the markets (something to take to Monika & Bernhard on Christmas Eve)    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Christmas Eve in Viersen Dulken

    December 24, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    We arrived at Viersen Dulken about 4pm and we were not allowed in the dining lounge area as it would be a surprise for us after church. This is a custom they used to do when the children were small. We had coffee, biscuits, chocolates & cake. Then we walked down to church. We had to go early to get a seat. There are no small churches in Germany. It's incredible that every town has a church this size. After the service everyone is wished us a Merry Christmas which was strange to us as it was only Christmas Eve. We went back to the house and went in and saw the Christmas tree and the nativity scene and that's when they put baby Jesus in. We opened presents and then had a bite to eat and a drink. It was time to go to bed and breakfast would be at 9.30, wasn't sure if I could wait that long for a coffee.

    Photo 1- Monika's homemade biscuits
    Photo 2 - Inside of the church
    Photo 3 - Outside the church
    Photo 4 - Christmas tree near the church
    Photo 5 - Kellie & Brodie opening their presents
    Photo 6 - Julian, Brodie, Kellie & Magdalena    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Christmas Day in Germany

    December 25, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    We had breakfast at Viersen Dulken and once again Monika made us a few Christmas breakfast traditions. A bread in shape of man called weckmann bread and then christstollen, a sweet fruit bread with a ribbon of marzipan through it and of course, boiled eggs. We were lucky to be able to share Christmas with friends. After breakfast we drove back to our apartment and we opened our presents. Then we spent the afternoon playing family games using our phones and had lots of laughs but it's still strange to think it's Christmas Day. For our Christmas tea I cooked chicken involtini and apple crumble. All turned out well considering I had to remember the chicken recipe and finding the same ingredients over here. We are now fat and full so I suppose that's about the usual for Christmas Day. It was a drizzly day here and reached about 9 degrees. We did miss you all, but wouldn't change the experience we had.

    Photo 1 - Breakfast
    Photo 2 - Our Christmas tree
    Photo 3 - Brodie handing out the presents
    Photo 4 - Opening presents
    Photo 5 - Christmas tea
    Photo 6 - Dessert    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Oh no, not another Christmas Market!

    December 26, 2016 in Germany ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    Woke up to misty rain this morning. A walk down to the bakery to find all the shops closed. We must have got lost in the translation as we thought they said they were only closed on Christmas Day. Luckily we were having an aussie brunch, bacon & eggs. So I also made pancakes as we didn't have enough bread. We had a leisurely morning in the apartment. We headed out about 12pm to the Dortmund Christmas Markets, one of the few that are still open after Christmas. Brodie was super excited to head to another Christmas Market. I wanted to see the markets at night which is 4.30pm anyway. The only thing about the markets is that there are no seats anywhere. There are tables that you stand at to eat but that is about it. We found a cafe that was open and we went in for a coffee and rest. When we came out it was getting dark. They have lots of pretty lights that you really can't capture in a photo. Dortmund has the largest Christmas tree in Germany . Once again we tried a few tradional foods. Currywurst(hot dog with a curry sauce, Bratwurst (a very long hot dog in a roll), grilled schinken (baked ham sliced served in a roll with saurkraut and cocktail mayonnaise), bratapfel punsch (warmed spice white wine). After a walk around taking photos, tired and cold we headed back to the train station to head home once again. Brodie pretty happy on the way home, that's it for Christmas Markets.

    Photo 1, 2, 3, - Dortmund Christmas Markets
    Photo 4 - Currywurst
    Photo 5 - Grilled Schinken
    Photo 6 - Bratwurst    Read more

  • Debbie AdamsonAdamson's Christmas VacationDebbie Adamson

    Farewell to our friends

    December 27, 2016 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    An early start today, up at 6am and on the road by 7.30am to Viersen Dulken. This is our last day in this part of Germany. We are spending the day with Monika & Bernhard and going back into the Netherlands to a small town called Maastricht. (By the way there is no such thing as a small town over here). It's always an interesting drive following Bernhard. We couldn't have asked for a better day, whilst it was a bit fresh we had sunshine and blue sky; a welcome sight. We meandered around the town looking at the old wall which is now incorporated into the homes. We stopped for a coffee at a local bakery who specialises in organic spelt flour. With our coffee we had Limburg Vlaai which is a fruit flan that is a local specialty. Once again yummy! You wouldn't believe it we ran into another Christmas Market much to Brodie's joy. Deirdre, I made sure I had an Olliebollen here. I think Whyalla does a pretty good job, but would say they are better over here, a lot lighter.
    After a bit more walking around the town we hopped back into the car and headed back into Germany to an old town called Aachen. We had a look around the old part of town and into the church there. It was exquisite, it was covered in mosaics. Aachen is famous for its Christmas Markets, but unfortunately they had finished. It was a welcolmed sight for Brodie to see the wooden hut being carted away. We stopped for another coffee and a roll. It was time to say farewell to our German friends which was hard as we don't know when we will return. It was a great way to end our time here.
    Photo 1 , 2, 3 - Maastricht
    Photo 4 - Limburg Vlaai (fruit flan)
    Photo 5 - Aachen, inside the Dom (church)
    Photo 6 - Aachen outside the Dom    Read more

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