[EUROBOUT CONTINENTAL CAROUSEL - 1984] DAY 2

Travel Notes
August 12, 1984 - Day 12
BELGIUM - HOLLAND/NETHERLANDS

Brussels, Belgium - Hotel Bedford

I had called Dad to let him know that we were on the Continent, and I had just hung up from reassuring him we were okay when I heard a *thump* in the bathroom, and the sound of someone moaning. Dashing into the bathroom, I discovered that Ma began the day by slipping in the bathtub and knocking her chin on its edge! @__@

It was nothing serious, fortunately, just a huge scare for both of us. It was my first encounter with different shower controls : shower here is nothing like the Royal National. Apparently Ma had been trying to adjust controls when she slipped. Her hip was a little sore, but we managed to make it to breakfast and on the bus in good time.

Brussels, Belgium - Amsterdam, Holland

It was an uneventful drive through the countryside, not looking at its best under cloudy skies and showers. Saw my first windmills after we crossed the Dutch border, and went through the center of town until we stopped at Coster Diamonds in Amsterdam. Here, we were bidden down from the coach, and literally locked into the display room, where learned about the different grades of diamonds. I was teased that my eyes had the same sparkle as Top Wesselton stones - I maintain that once you have seen the sparkle of real diamonds, you cannot be satisfied with anything less. And while size matters, a small, fiery stone trumps a large, dull stone any day.

Coster Diamonds nearly the twin of the London Diamond Centre, and was the company charged with the cleaving of the raw Cullinan diamond into the Cullinan collection, some stones of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels.

Some folks were lucky enough to have the money to buy jewelry; Ma and I had to content ourselves with looking at the displays until we were allowed out of the store.

Amsterdam - Volendam, Holland

From diamonds to fish...we arrived at Volendam in time for lunch, and not a moment too soon, as there were those of us who were *starving*. Earl recommended smoked eel for the adventurous diners; the people who wanted to walk around the town and find their own tables. Otherwise, for the truly hungry, lunch was at Volendam's main hotel, located on the shore of the Ijsselmeer Lake -- a sea lake, apparently!

I remember ordering open-faced sandwiches for Ma and myself, and we discovered that the Dutch serve food generously! What arrived at the table was a literal mountain of bread, salad, and cold cuts per person. That we actually managed to stuff the lot down only proved that we were hollow from the feet up after the long drive.

Afternoon at leisure : Mama and I joined Shirley and Evelyn Ong for a walk past charming cottages and a welcome breath of fresh lakeside air. During this time, we spent leftover loose change so as not to have any extra weight at the border stop. We also got acquainted with Jun Galang and Gene Nocon from San Diego. Quite a groovy pair, those two - and if their humor was somewhat of the racy variety, well. One makes allowances for certain things while travelling.

Amsterdam - Euromotel E.9

We piled into the coach and left Volendam at 5.00PM, returning through the main part of Amsterdam. Earl pointed out Dam Square and the road to the red-light district (and blushed!) while various racy comments circulated around the coach. Basil Jackson (from Trinidad) said it was the hallmark of a British public (read, "private) school education for a young man's face to redden at the mention of such things.

Blushing certainly becomes Earl, I must say. It's rare to find a man as competent/confident as he seems to be, coloring up at the mention of the red-light district, which I am sure he has pointed out any number of times in his career as a tour director.

He warned everyone that breakfast is at 0730H tomorrow, and the bus was scheduled to leave at 0800H promptly, with or without its full complement of passengers, which comment engendered more racy commentary, nudges and winks.

I would have liked to join the group, but the hotel is too far from the city centre to manage a walk back to the hotel by myself. The idea was that the Tour Director would lead the party into the red-light district, and then give directions to catch the public transport back to the hotel upon leading the party out. Not the kind of arrangement that would sit well with Ma, especially that everyone else was practically strangers. So, no red-light district.

However, hotel is right next to the river Amstel, and there's a good breeze blowing in : will have a slow walk after dinner instead, and enjoy the view of the river traffic till it's time to get back to the room!