Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!

On 30th Dec flew to the Netherlands. There was heavy snow in Kiev. Doubted the plane will take off. In spite of snow storm with the 45 min delay we were airborne. Arrived on Shiphol. Got train tickets. But trains were delayed due to winter conditions. Once outside the station building wondered where is the snow and what winter conditions messed up trains again..

Kees picked me up in Alkmaar. Within 5 min we were in Bergen. It was my first visit to Bergen. It is a
fairytale-like village. Nice old buildings. Lovely small village roads. Photos are here:

On Dec 31st with Catharina, Kees and Anna we did some shopping. The whole family queued for "oliebollen". Dutch cannot have New Years Eve without "oliebollen". They were delicious and worth queuing. 
After a long time I had a typical Dutch breakfast. Kees was concerned with the way I had "hagelslaag". But as I am a foreigner he gave me a break.

On the Jan 1st went for a stroll on a beach. It was cold and windy. But some people had they New year swim :


While some were in a cold see I was comfortable in the full winter gear with gloves and a fur hat.
Beach photos:

After the beach we had a typical Dutch split pea soup for a dinner. And pancakes for dessert.
Had great time.

People in Bergen care a lot about birds and almost every house has a bird feeder:


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