My other homeland

I’m about to embark on the really, really meaningful part of my journey. The Netherlands, especially Noordwijk aan See, my Opa’s hometown, my ‘other’ homeland.


It’s a quick farewell to Phillippa at the airport. She is on her way home to her family on an Emirates flight. I’ll miss her during the next few days of my travels, she has been an amazing travel partner! More to come in my reflections later.


I have a mild hiccup with my check-in so I jump the queue and get immediate help. Fly approx 1.5 hours to Amsterdam airport. Get a train to Leiden. It’s all too easy. And clean. I’ve booked a hotel using Phillippa’s criteria - close to the action, close to the station, and comfortable enough to take your shoes off.


It’s been one of those ‘travel days’ and it’s now already late in the day. I must eat dinner and take a walk around this new city. I’m greeted with one of those school holidays fair grounds, right outside my hotel. Teenagers are everywhere. A few doors down I find an Argentinian restaurant, and I order a Lady steak with salad. 






The evening’s highlight is the walk around the canals as it grows dark. I am struck by moment after moment of ‘wow’ and feeling more at home here than in any other place I’ve visited on this trip. The lights are stunning, especially when reflected off the water.  


I have plans to meet a relative tomorrow to see the tulips and the beach, so it’s an early night tonight - a very different Easter Sunday.

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