From Germany to Holland via many trains...

Sean & I decided to take a weekend break (Sean from his long weeks of training in Hamburg, Germany) and head to Holland to visit Themmy & Bert (great family friend's of Sean's mom, Karen). So I flew into Hamburg & Sean met me at the airport to make our journey to Holland. Many trains later we arrived in Amersfoort. Themmy & Bert picked us up and we chatted over wine and a lovely home cooked dinner! They were so hospitable to us, it was a wonderful trip! Thanks Themmy & Bert!!!When in Holland you have to check out a windmill...this one was just down the street from Themmy & Bert's home. It is a true working windmill that grounds corn into flour. We hiked up the black stairs behind us up to the very top to see how it all worked. It was very interesting and so inventive how they use the wind to assist in making flour...very cool! The Dutch man giving us the tour even had on the traditional Dutch wooden shoes. Was hoping to find some to bring home...next time for sure! :)
We found some Dutch props (I meant the bikes...but Themmy was a good "Dutch" prop too ...ha!) Themmy & Bert gave us a great city tour of Amersfoort.
What a beautiful city! Lots of people on bikes, tree lined brick streets, lots of intriguing local shops, restaurants and pubs.

We ended the afternoon at a local Brewery. We shared a beer flight...very good beer! Themmy & Bert even helped us with our beer mug collection. We came home with a few mugs from Holland! YAY!

Our journey back to Hamburg via train...this old school train was a sight to see with it's open layout, conductor, lots of coal piled high and a caboose. Looks like I dressed the part...Another fun weekend adventure comes to an end! A HUGE thank you to Themmy & Bert for a wonderful trip!

Sean's training in Hamburg, Germany

Sean was in Hamburg, Germany for 3 weeks for DePuy training. His degree of International Business sure did come into play...his classmates were from the UK, Ireland, Russia, the Netherlands and Italy...after long hours of studying, learning, test taking,etc etc he was ready to relax with me on the weekend in the city of Hamburg. We enjoyed an Italian lunch (YES, I know we are in Germany...ha, Italian is good no matter where you are...). We shared lunch with two Russian- co-workers of Sean's, Marat and Nadia, they were hilarious. Marat kept saying with his typical Russian accent, "Excuse me for my RRR-Russian". We would all erupt in laughter. The restaurant had a great patio, lots of street performers and vendors on the front walk...
Brost! The German word for Cheers!

Hamburg city center. Beautiful government building in the background and a Chinese market that we checked out...

Row boat tour of the Hamburg canals...

We went on a boat tour on the Hamburg lake. We kept each other entertained being our own tour guide since our guide only spoke German. Of course we found out at the end of the tour that we could of purchased headsets which would translate in English. We made up quite a story about the city of Hamburg...HA, it made the adventure that much better! We then had a snack and took in the view of the canal & city from a dock of a German restaurant.

Wedding in Versailles...it was beautiful!

Our friend Ro's sister, Yetunde the bride...his parents dressed in traditional Nigerian clothing.
Serina and Ro and the Kellys (notice the sheep in the background...ha)
The Bride & Groom sharing a glass of a 1977 wine from the Rothschild's family vineyard...they were guests at the wedding too (whoa!)...that is one of them sharing in a toast!!

WOW! A Magnum bottle of 1977 wine from the Rothschild's vineyard! It was unbelievable!!! What an experience!!!

I met a friend on the dance floor...he danced my feet off! What a cutie...Sean was sweating! :)

Versailles Palace & local streets...

Streets of Versailles...
Scott(Ro's friend from home), Ro(Chicago friend we met in Versailles for his sister's wedding weekend) and Hollis
Versailles Palace

Look closer...see that guy in the white playing the organ...amazing!!!

Garden of Versailles Palace

Out & About in Versailles...

Beautiful pathway out front our hotel...which we walk thru each day...

If you squint...you can see me on the steps of the Notre Dame Cathedral in the Versailles Square.

Looked like a movie set to me...this were homes just above the cute boutiques we shopped at...

Sean came across this alley way...so beautiful. We then popped into a bookbinders shop(by the potted plants) and chatted it up with him. He focuses on Architecture books and does things for local museums...amazing what you fall into when you're least accepting it...

What an awesome old school mini...I wanted to try to fit it in my purse...but decided to settle on a Stella beer instead...I S T I L L think it would fit in my purse though! HA!

Our hotel in Versailles...

Trianon Palace ~ Waldorf Astoria
The lobby...

Sean + the hotel bar...

Sean (I'm the photographer...I am really there too, I promise) + hotel patio + sun & enjoying a mojito (the best we've ever had!!!) = R E L A X E D

Versailles, France here we come...

On our way to Versailles to meet our Chicago friend, Ro and attend his sister's wedding. Planes, train and automobiles...5 AM leave from Winchester via train to Southampton airport...Southampton airport on a SMALL airplane to Paris...Bus from Paris airport to then transfer to train to Versailles...fun along the way....PRICELESS!!! View of the Eiffel Tower from our train station in Paris...

See it behind Sean???

We took in the view with a beer and ham & cheese baguette at a sidewalk cafe'.