A little bubbly

This was the very first night that I officially slept well.  Finally transitioned over to the Dutch time zone....
Started the day with by filling the stomach with a good Dutch style breakfast.  If you're not Dutch could you guess what it is?
With full stomachs we headed out for the day.  It was a rather frightening start down the skinny Dutch little road.  It barely can handle a bike and a car passing each other.  So to our surprise a massive semi truck was barreling down the road.  We pulled over in a pullout but  became trapped between a large truck and the canal. That canal was not looking too pretty for a swim.... Glad we didn't end up going for that swim and the we had no extra rental car bills to pay as the truck nearly missed the sideview mirror. 

After safely arriving to the park n' ride we caught the bus.  This is a fantastic system if you're in Holland!  It cost 5 Euro to park the car and ride the bus for up to 5 people!  

Wow D and E are sure privileged to sit by the cool guy on the bus...a tad jealous

spotted the thousands of bikes....

We were scheduled for a a tour this am and made it just on time up to the Domtower. We saw marvellous views of the city of Utrecht after climbing up 465 steps to get there (95 meters high). Ok it wasn't all done in one stage. We stopped on a few different levels.  At one level I was even given the opportunity to ring the largest of the bells. It weighed 8,000kg. That took some serious man power to hoist it way up in the tower. 👊

A little breathless  in more than one way when we reached the top. 

The challenge for the day!

Ready to go...not knowing exactly what climbing 465 stairs would be like

Sisters!!! Happy to be on the right time zone and meeting the days challenge (so far)

This was the big bell I was allowed to ring....wouldn't want that falling on your head.

Almost at the top...

We made it!  D and I were the first at the top and had it to ourselves for a little while...

panoramic views

After staring at the city. We unfortunatley had to head back down the tower. 

At the bottom of the tower again.

The challenge was complete!

At the bottom off the tower we met up with our cousin. She was our tour guide around the city of Utrecht. She showed us where she worked underground by the canal. A unique setting for sure!!  

What a place to work!!! So cool.

I successfully bought a dress while out on the streets of Utrecht. Hoping it will match the rest of the family for the  upcoming wedding. 

And a good Dutch visit with family isn't complete without a cup of coffee and gebak.  This time it was along the tranquility of the canal.

Canals are so romantic!

After humming and hawing of what to do we chose the Slot Zuylen to tour. We made it into the tour last minute and kind of snuck on it. Apparently that tour is for reserved guests only. After the lonnnng Dutch speel we were given the super abbreviated English version of the tour. As in 1 minute for 15 minutes. 👍🏻 

(Although our English tour guide gave us extra tidbits while were were slowly walking and drowning out the Dutch tour guide)

our new home....

The walls were a tapestry...so beautifully.  The owners didn't seem to mind pounding holes in the wall and putting up different artwork over top of this already extraordinary artwork.

Selfie in the tapestry room

Our cousin...the only one who fully understood the Dutch tour.

Hanging out with our fantastic tour guide!  And even better cousin

Travelling back by bus and saying goodbye to our cousin as she reached her destination we managed to find the car once again. 
Headed back to Oudewater, tried a new grocery store and purchased dinner for  $2.50/person (not as good of a deal as the previous night) but still delicious and cheap :)

The evening was for hanging out on the farm trying to plan out our next day before we leave while sipping on bubbly water. ... or attempting to sip on bubbly water.