THE TRIP HOME

9/14/2015

Departure for the homeland starts early, too early. There are a few isolated sights along the way, such as old cars.

A Citroen

The trip to Schiphol, the airport, is easy. The trip across the airport arduous. The trains bring you in forever and a day from the gates. Seems there was a gate  near our departure gate, but who knows if it is possible to get in for a train traveler. The airport is full of tulips, cheese, chocolate and Netherlands souvenirs. Duh.  At least this part seems like a rat maze.  Cheese? Seems they have a package sealing cheese for months without refrigeration. The departure is at the perfect time as far as cycling goes.  It is pouring buckets of rain.

Nice flight on the NEW American Airlines. Sleep, food, Fat Amy and a zoo encompass the trip home. Terrible pasta, but a great snack so 1 out of 2 is not bad. Back in the USA, Philly in particular., is a pleasant stopover. Good old soft pretzels allowed us to use up about half our layover. Thank you TSA.

Back in Phoenix, what is better than being picked up you daughter Corena. Add on a great Valley of the Sun sunset.

If all goes well out for an evening ride for Hotair with Lenore likely fast asleep. At another time, place and blog......to be continued........

JUST PEDAL

THE HAGUE -FINAL DAY- NO CYCLING

9/13/2015

Yep, a Sunday with no cycling other than a quick run through a park and returning the bikes. Incredibly, the world kept rotating. The day was spent after a short train ride in Holland's (and some say the world's) Capital, Den Haag with some train sights along the way.

Monster One being returned before The Hague

Monster Two with the L

Once again,  FREE Bicycle parking!!!

Nice intermediate train station

Often very ornate but also very modern describes Den Haag. It could also be considered quite American. Much of our popular culture and commercialism is present. We started with The Peace Palace, commonly called the International Court. Created after WWI, it aggrandizes  peaceful process perhaps to a fault. It is quite spectacular.

WWI Monument

The International Court, officially The Peace Palace

The Justices

A Peace Tree where wishes are hung

The International Flame --a place to pray for a peace

The Hague also has a beach community Hotair  cannot spell,not to mention pronounce. It is very commercial and tourist oriented. Pristine beaches, a pier and a market area both old and new bring Santa Monica or Santa Cruz to mind.

Familiar looking shopping mall

Common beach pier although metal not wood

Playground on the pier

Nice restaurant location

BOB wants to jump!

Kids chalk board

used by a kid

Warm fried on a cold day for BOB

Lots of bombs used this way

Beach art

Free bike parking with security

Bike rental

The Wave Hotel and Restaurants

and interior

And artwork?

 The King brings Parliament into session next week so there was a practice parade in Hague so we saw horse groups forever. The heart of Den Haag also has old and new mixed with skyscrapers, shopping and historic buildings, with also the most low key Chinatown ever.

WWI statue

Common canal

Police station entry

\Note kid is not riding his bike

Hats????? in the Park

He is a mobile Billboard!

Lunch that was great

They love their street art

The sidewalk--look

A band playing a Michael Jackson tune

Parliament

Inside Parliament

Very unique skyline--is there any planning?

Aw  

City hall

Pepsi has been scarce except in larger stores. Pepsi Max is the Diet drink here. Lenore prefers Diet Dr. Pepper which was found once in the entire trip. It was like reliving their wedding. (Those in attendance may recall the merger.)

When back in Amsterdam there were a few new sights like "Bottle Art", horse drawn buggies and different views of the city center. But first there was a brief stop in a small town named Leiden

Overcast skies greeted the Thomases back in Amsterdam. The rain  that threatened from the start of the trip finally arrived. . As such, it was time to finish off the food brought to the houseboat, pack and relax.  Well one of us relaxed.

Neal gets antsy and locates the Denver -Baltimore snoozer football game shown live late at night.

Chain--literally -bike

Arrival  in Tempe tomorrow will bring temperatures will be in the 90s, more than 20 degrees hotter than any high for this trip. In fact the lows in the 70s next week will exceed the highest high for the trip by 10 degrees.

JUST PEDAL