Amsterdam - Day 1

Wednesday, April 29th - Thursday, April 30th

We flew out of Dallas on Delta Airlines on Wednesday, April 29th connecting via Detroit.
In Detroit we enjoyed a nice lunch at Gordon Biersch restaurant before boarding our flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands. We had upgraded to Economy Comfort seats (an extra $30 each way - money well spent for the leg room and free entertainment of current/new release movies) The time to Amsterdam flew by..three movies and we were there. We arrived in Amsterdam around 10am on Thursday, April 30th. We took a TESLA taxi to the hotel (Cost €50,00).

Since Doug has been a frequent visitor to the Banks Mansion, they hurried and got a room ready for us so we could sleep for 5 hours or so before heading out for dinner. The people at the Banks Mansion (Wilhem, Kim and Nancy) were wonderful hosts and were always making sure we had everything we needed (dinner reservations, taxis etc..)

 

This is a photo of the Banks Mansion taken from the canal tour we took the next day.

 

The lobby has a stocked bar that is open for guests all day.

Soft drinks, water, coffee, wine and hard liquor.

In the evening there is a spread that is different each night.

(Cheese/Meats; Soup; Bitterballen; etc..)

 Each room also a FREE private bar of whiskey, cognac and gin.
There are also soft drinks, water and beer in the mini fridge in the room for FREE.

There was also a full complimentary breakfast each morning.

Eggs, breakfast meats, crepes, pancakes, french toast, sweet breads,

and an assortment of meats/cheeses.

At 5pm we woke up showered and dressed to go down and enjoy the cheese platter and some wine before heading out for dinner. We walked to The Old Bell (a traditional English pub on Rembrandtplein) http://www.oldbell.nl/

I ordered the Weinerschnitzel and a Vedett beer,

Doug had the Chicken Sate and two different beers (Affligem Dubbel and a Palm)

The total cost for two entrees and three beers with tip €46,00 euros.

 

After dinner we walked back to the hotel, dodging bikes along the way.  Back at the room, we set up my phone with the global international plan. We made reservations for the Keukenhof Gardens via Viator.com. We finished the evening listening to music in the room from Jango.com enjoying the complimentary Jupiler blonde biere from the mini fridge. 

 

An excellent first day!

Emergency Dental Visit

Doug had been complaining about his tooth hurting on Wednesday night when he got home from work.  I got him in to the family dentist late Thursday morning who took an xray and prescribed an antibiotic (Clindamycin) and then made an appointment for him to see the oral surgeon at 2:45pm the same day. 

The oral surgeon took more xrays plus a CT of the tooth and recommended the tooth being pulled ASAP with an implant to be placed in about 12-16 weeks due to a bad abscess on one of his upper/right canine teeth.

The surgery was done at 4:00pm and by 5:00pm we were on our way home. He will be enjoying some soft foods this weekend. 

Happy Easter!

Sunday morning, Jackie, Jonathan, Doug and I attended church services at Grace Presbyterian Church of Plano. It was a beautiful service. Jackie and Jonathan gave us an Easter lily.

This photo was taken after church service with the Easter lily. 

We came home and had a quick bite to eat before the Elliotts arrived. 

 

Andrew is helping me carry his Easter basket.

 Easter photos on the stairs

We did an few Easter egg hunt and then Jackie and Jonathan went over to his parents for dinner. We played some more, took some photos and read some book.

The Elliotts stayed for an "un"traditional easter dinner. We did loaded hamburgers on the grill...with basket weave bacon, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pickles and condiments. 

Here is a link to show you how to make the bacon weave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vF-YiLoeTQ

It was a nice relaxing day!

Tulip Time in Texas

On Good Friday, Jackie and I drove to Pilot Point, TX. It is about a 35 minute drive from our house.
Here is more info on the local tulip farm.  http://www.texas-tulips.com/
The tulip fields was almost done blooming, but we were able to pick about a dozen tulips (in a variety of colors) for display on Easter.  Hopefully the tulip fields in Holland will be beautiful and blooming when we get there at the end of this month.