It’s been more than 2 weeks since we left The Netherlands…and THAT has been how long it has taken me to chronicle our adventures while we were there. It also felt like it has been AGES ago since we left the comfort of the our parents’ nest as we settle back in to our normal routine. I miss the weather already!

It really does get easier travelling with the kids on a long flight. In fact, they managed a good six hours of sleep on the flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok; but not after bouncing off their seats for at least an hour before they settled down. Typical of over-tired kids.

But that didn’t matter.

They both were laughing with each other so much and so loud as they lay flat on the seats, determined to make mayhem and disturbing other passengers. Yet, looking at how happy they were, it was hard to get angry with them and all we could do was smile at their silliness and laughed along.

They eventually fell asleep, but not after a grand scolding. How typical!

Those two little imps are a handful, but I could not be more proud of them being able to adapt quite easily sleeping in new places and in strange beds. It’s nice to see that wherever they went, they felt right at home! They both have no shame. They make new friends pretty easily, and their Dutch improved by leaps and bounds, too!

As I have mentioned in a previous post , the kids had a ball of  a time. Part of me felt that they actually showed a “different kind of happy”…mostly always laughing (either with or at each other), their appetite were bigger (I’ve been surprised at how much they could eat. Must be the cold) and they were happy to play indoor when the weather got too cold and just as happy to play outside even if we thought it was cold. They were also a little bit more easy going and generally a pleasure to be with, which made our lives a tad easier.

Getting the kids their trunkies has also been a worthwhile buy and they both love totting that thing around. Never mind that they are quite bulky and were filled with mostly useless junk, but they seem to have a lot of fun with it. When they get tired of pulling, they can sit on it for us to tug them along. Win-win for both! (I highly recommend parents to get this for their kids when travelling. They come with mock-up passports and a life-time warranty for repairs too!)

We had a splendid time and the vacation did feel like it ended too quickly. Albeit a few days of thunderstorms, the weather had been kind throughout. Holland had been truly gezellig, Belgium was a breeze and Prague was particularly something we needed more of.

Coming home was hard this time. We almost didn’t want to leave. Getting a dose of fresh air does wonders for my health too, and, not a week being back in Bangkok, my coughs returned with a vengeance after a bout of cold. I’m annoyed.  Super annoyed.

I am now convinced that I am allergic to Bangkok!

Hopefully, by this time next year, we’ll be making our way out of here. For real.

Until then, we will be keeping our fingers crossed as we cast our intent to the universe!

Oh boy! By now, I can barely remember what we did in our last few days back in Silver Bullet’s parents’ home that would be significant enough to chronicle in this post.

Not that it was dreary and boring. In fact, on the contrary. We got too comfortable living under our parents’ roof where everything, including the children were taken care of. We were fed and fueled-up very well, we had our laundry done for us and we could even use their car as and when we needed too.

We took things easy. We met up with friends, we lounged around, we visited and got visited, we ran errands and regardless of the unpredictable Dutch weather, we didn’t mind it at all.We even contemplated extending our stay for a few more days!

Have I ever mentioned that my mother-in-law is an excellent host? Come early evening, she would always have some little tid-bits to feed us! There would always be snacks in the house and one really does not have to worry about being hungry for she made sure that they are well-stocked up. From chocolates to cheeses ad all sorts of beverages, they have them all!

No trip back home to Holland would be complete without several meet-ups with Silver Bullet’s grandfather who is probably one of the oldest and healthiest person I have ever known. At 91 years old, he still drives, cycles, drinks his Jenever (Dutch Liquor)on a daily basis and go about his day like he is only 50 years old. He spoils us and he spoils the kids and we all love it!

I could only feel thankful that both Spud and Squirt have been lucky enough to not only experience the love and affection  from their maternal and paternal grandparents but that of a great-grandfather as well! Things which I never did get to experience. Aren’t they the luckiest beings on earth!

We also did a short trip to Kasteel Radboud located on the east back of North Holland in Medemblik on the day before we were due to depart for Bangkok. Spud was registered to join in the no-adult permitted kids’ activities where she had the chance to get up close and personal with the resident owls for a couple of hours.

Spud has been quite fascinated with owls of late and this was one of those activities where we finally managed to get her to come along with us without her saying she wanted to stay home with her Oma and Opa.

Unfortunately, the activity was only for kids above 4 years old, so we had Squirt with us for the entire time Spud was away. He wasn’t too thrilled about that and we had to endure his whining of wanting to see the owls too for a good 2 hours.

The history of the castle was interesting for adults. While Spud was in her session, we adults got to join in the tour in the castle. Unfortunately, it was all conducted in Dutch, so for English-only speaking participant or for someone like me who could only understand the basic Dutch, you’d be lost. I happened to be the only non-Dutch person there that day.

Spud had no problem at all understanding and  following all the instructions in Dutch. She even made herself several new friends from that class! Kids are just so adaptably amazing.

Medemblik had been a very nice day trip, particularly so for the kids. Towards the end of Spud’s activity, we were allowed to join in for a photo-session. Squirt was thrilled to be able to get close to the owl and had finally stopped his whining.

The area surrounding the castle was full of greenery. The kids had a blast running around in the wide open spaces, excited that they got to go to a real castle. To them, the castle was HUGE and they were in awe.

We ended the day with a short stop for hot-chocolate and some bitterballen before heading home. And,  at the back of our heads, we weren’t really looking forward to bring our vacation to a close the next day. The only consolation for the day was that at least everyone was smiling!