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A holiday gives one a chance to look backward and forward, to reset oneself by an inner compass - May Sarton

Describing the feeling about a holiday, after returning home from one, always seem too difficult to formulate into words, so I'll try to let the pictures do the talking. Can't believe how time flies though, holidays are always too damn short. Its been nearly a week since I came back (after 2 weeks of freezing my arse off) and I finally got some 933 photos sorted out. Could have done it sooner if not for the additional gym sessions to work off nearly 2.5kgs I gained from having too much "Dutch" food --> the likes of potatoes (Vlaamse frites!!! Yum), crossoints (with lots of cheese), meaty stews, kipburgers (from the wonderful vending machine...so wanna fly one back to S'pore), cakes, chocolates and other forgotten goodies I've tried there. After some long and hard selection, I've decided to post the best 100 photos******


Amsterdam

Went to the capital city, Amsterdam, twice. Famous for its red light district, Amsterdam was quite a sight to behold, given its many canals and famous museums.





Madame Tussaud - Living out my dreams of meeting many famous people...whether or not they were real...









Cuddling with Robbie...






JT!!!






Aunt Joanne's Duet






A sight of pure waxed gross-ness...


Red Light District - A pity I didn't get to take the semi-naked women parading behind the various window panels...the pimps guarding the area were dangerous people.




Looking carefully at the picture above, you will see the neon lighting that says "PEEP SHOW". Peep shows function like that: You pay 2 euros, a barrier behind a hole of some sort will slide up where you can watch people performing the actual sex act. A regret I did not try watching it.




Rijks Museum - Initially thought I would prefer Van Gogh, but enjoyed Rijks more. Took many photos secretly cos security was less tight here.









The famed painting (above), The "Nightwatch", painted by Dutch artist, Rembrandt.




Van Gogh Museum - Didn't get to take as many photos as I liked...security threatened to confiscate my camera -_-"







One of the more popular paintings by Van Gogh, the "Bedroom"


Canal Cruise - Passed by various famous canals characteristic of Amsterdam.



Trying my best to take photos...





Beautiful canals...



Volendam

A charming small fishing village, preserving many elements of the Dutch tradition.











Cute & fat seagulls



Aunt Joanna & I in traditional Dutch costumes (found it silly & was hesitant about posting this initially, but I figured its a nice way of creating a memory about this place)



Rotterdam

Mainly a shopping district, not many photos, but it was snowing!










Zaanse Schans

One of the places I enjoyed the most. This was where all the windmills were gathered. The rivers had frozen into ice and people were ice-skating on top! The scenery was least to say, breath-taking.





Proud of this shot somehow...



Xmas decos made of Dutch clogs


A very cute baby I saw in this clog-making factory...






This guy explaining the clog-making process may not look cute here, but he really is dreamy in real...haha!





I look fat here, but thought the sheep looks silly+cute








Mini cheese factory



Cheese galore!




Threading on thin ice...





Inside an actual windmill



Madurodam

A musuem of "little" Holland. Famous buildings scaled down 25Xs and showcased here.









Belgium - Brussels

Visited the famous structure, Atomium, built in 1958. Also visited the capital city, Brussels. It was in Brussels that I truly experienced surrealism. Can't begin to describe how beautiful the collection of 4 buildings facing each other looked under the mid-day sun. Also visited the famed "peeing" boy structure (The manneken-pis)...However, beside the town centre, everywhere else was quite in shambles.


Atomium






Brussels Town Centre

Belgium Chocolates!


Belgium Waffles!

Only one is for real



The famous "peeing" boy! He changes clothes every season, or so, I heard.



Xmas season feastings @ various houses

The holiday season is not complete without parties, red wine & feastings...


Xmas eve @ Jeffery's place















Xmas day @ Lawrence's place




Boxing day @ Marcel's place




Playing the traditional Dutch game...


Day after Boxing day @ Aunt Poh Chu's house




Their cute & friendly dog, Dutchess.



Miscellaneous

Unclassified random pictures worth mentioning...


Candid shot of Aunt steeping into the train


Marcel & Lawrence, who so kindly hosted us during this trip









Practically went mad here...in this shopping chain!


Winter wonderland...





Duckies!



Wanna bring one of these vending machines home!


Yummilicious Kipburger from one of those vending machine



With cakes like these, who can fight the temptation? (I won the war!)



Cheese shop in Amsterdam


Weed was sold in these so-called "coffeeshops" that do not actually offer coffee


Dike visit - the longest dike in Holland (forgot the name, pity!)




Trying to be funny


Last day :''(




Sad to be leaving...& so not ready for school. Bye bye to freedom & hello to notes & books...boring.

This year's new year resolutions would be posted next...till then, stay tuned!