Day 1 Huis Ten Bosch
Wow..stepped out of the train and it immediately reminded me of home. I felt like I was in a Harry Potter movie, stepping into a dreamworld. I was either laughing out loud or talking to myself, the entire way that I walked from the train to the hotel (about 20 min) because it was so bizarre..I had no words for it.
Checked into the hotel, which is right next door. The hotel is huge and luxurious and just what I needed (and deserved :P), but no time to waste. Huis Ten Bosch was waiting... Fun fact, the outfit I was wearing didn't cost as much as the room did hehe (€81,-).
I got a day and a half passport so I was able to go in today after 3pm and again tomorrow. It was the weirdest thing, almost what The Netherlands would look like when the Japanese took over. I went in search for a bicycle, how else to travel through Holland.
I rented a bike for about 5 hours and made my way through Amsterdam City, Utrecht, The Harbor, Zeeland and of course to Huis Ten Bosch. Even though I did have a lock, at least I didn't have to worry that my bike got stolen here in "Amsterdam" or "Utrecht". Oh and there was tax-free shopping at The Schiphol Gate Shop (Schiphol is the name of the Amsterdam airport) and at the Marine Terminal as well.
I talked to one of the staff members near The Harbor, who told me that Huis Ten Bosch has had some bad years, which I had read earlier (they had to close down but reopened due to a new investor). So they added all these games and activities to make it more attractive (especially for kids). But luckily it still had it's Dutch side to it :). He also told me about Mr. Henk, a Dutch guy that works here but was off today, but there's always tomorrow. And he told me about the many lights at night, something that I had to see and boy, am I glad I did.
I cycled the park a few times and made sure to be back at Huis Ten Bosch at 7pm for the beginning of the many lightshows they do each night. It was a musical lightshow, beautiful, classical and festive. After that I made my way back through Utrecht to go up the Domtoren and see the entire park lit up! On my way there I saw many lights...Now I'm a sucker for lights, it was almost like Christmas, there's so many personal memories connected to both lights and Christmas that I almost teared up ^_^.
The views from the Domtoren were amazing! The entire park was lit up, wow. Couldn't wait to go back down and cycle through it..and so I did!
There are few times in my life that I actually realize how lucky I am and how much I appreciate all that I do and can do, but also acknowledging that I am the person that made it possible. Why do I travel alone? What would I have missed seeing, doing, experiencing the past few years if I would have had to wait for someone to join me... Today, I had one of those moments. I stopped, took a deep breath, took in the surroundings, smiled and continued.
Day 2 Huis Ten Bosch
Went back today to take a canalcruise, which just seemed like I stepped into the one with a Japanese guide, bizarre. And I met Mr. Henk! He's almost 2m, has been living here for 30 years and knows the language (to little according to himself but well enough to manage and work here). He also told me things changed, it used to be more authentic.
I don't have many words for what I witnessed these passed two days, so take a look at the pictures and better believe it, it's Japan!
They say a picture tells you a 1000 words, but a 1000 pictures don't even begin to tell you my story!
I'm off to Nagasaki, leaving my fantastic hotel room for another hostel dorm-bed.
Until next time, Sayonara or today in Dutch, Tot ziens/lezens!
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