On to Amsterdam

Our trip felt like it officially began when our wake up call at 4:20 Sunday morning. Little did we know that the early wake up calls and rigid schedule was our life for the next two weeks. We set out on our way to meet with our official tour director and group and get on our way.

"The Coach" (as it was so lovingly, and creatively called) became our home away from home, and often and source of hatred. As we met up with our group, I quickly realized that you could double my age and I would still be the youngest person in the group. Yep. We were "those" people. You know, the mass herds of people following the leader who is most likely holding up a flag, scarf, umbrella, etc. It was a sad realization, but I guess I was the naive one for not expecting that.

We headed down on the coach toward Dover (in which we saw the White Cliffs of Dover) to cross the English Channel over to Calais, France.
Being the motion sick people that we are, sat ourselves in what we hoped to be the most stable part of the ferry, got us some Diet Coke and a snack, and endured the hour and half crossing.
Once to the other side, we drove through the beautiful countryside of France, Belgium, and into The Netherlands. We drove into Amsterdam and I think I fell in love with it. The cute town located on the water with the adorable tree lined streets, beautiful architecture, and mass bicycles.
We got into the city and had to choose to go to the Red Light District or just enjoy the slightly more wholesome part of the city. We chose the latter and hit up the main streets full of souvenir shops and cafes. It was right up our alley and loved wondering around.
We met back up with the group for a river boat tour of the city. I have been on these in a couple of cities and they always seem to be one of my favorite things about the city, this was no exception. We learned so much about the different types of architecture, how wealth was displayed, and the house boat lined banks of the river. It was amazing to see the house boat after house boat lining for miles. Many were boats turned houses others were specific types of trailer type things set right on the water. It was amazing.
Due to some problems with our hotel, the tour company sent us to dinner and to the only floating restaurant called The Sea Palace. It was talked up to be this amazing place, and it was nice, but it was full blown Chinese food and I was not a fan. Again, being a picky eater in a foreign country is fantastic!
We drove a bit away and stayed in Den Haag. We were so ready to call it a night after our early morning start. Who knew sitting on a bus all day could be so draining?