-Technology hates me, so here's all the pictures up front -_-
Whoa Norderney was beautiful! I took my first ferry ride ever from the mainland to get to the island of Norderney. Also yay for not getting seasick. The ride was kinda chilly as the wind tends to blow quite a bit harder on the island and ferry than in Bonn and all other places we've been. This was a nice relief for a while from the heat, but at some points during our stay it was just downright cold. The seagulls made sure to provide some entertainment during the trip as we watched one poop on one lady's head and then make what sounded like a cackling noise as he flew away. Another group of us saw a seagull who managed to abscond with a sandwich from one poor unsuspecting little boy completely ruining his day.
After reaching the island, picking up our bikes, and checking into the hostel, it was time for a little workout led by Dr. Washer or yoga on the beach. I'm quite sure that at one point I fell asleep while laying on our backs and breathing because I don't remember a good chunk of our yoga time. I guess I was just really relaxed? Oops. Later that night we took our bikes way out to go find the lighthouse and see it up close. Islands are hilly...and on bikes, that sucks! But the lighthouse was worth it and the views we found on the way there. Side note about the island, it's INFESTED with little cotton tail rabbits. They are literally everywhere. Would make for some very easy hunting.
The second day meant spa day! Whoop! After all of our running around I think it was a much deserved and needed day spent at the spa. So many different pools of varying salt content and temperatures along with saunas were at our disposal. Pool hopping in its most relaxing form. One of my favorites had a salt content so high your whole body floated with zero effort. A few of us decided to try the schlik mud. It comes from the North Sea and we were told it was supposed to be amazing for your skin. Dilemma in deciding to do it: you had to be naked. No swim suits allowed. But I mean when in Europe, do as the Europeans right? Throwing all modesty to the wind we slathered ourselves with mud and enjoyed the sauna. They weren't lying about the skin thing though.....smooth as a baby's butt. To cap off a wonderfully relaxing day we watched the sunset on the beach and I'm quite sure that Norderney has the most beautiful sunsets.
Our last day on the island, Callie and I got up super early (5AM) to go see the sunrise and it was stunningly pretty. We did a mud walk on the flats at low tide and saw tons and tons of living organisms such as jelly fish, crabs, worms, and even a seal out swimming about. After the walk, it was one more trip to the beautiful white sand beaches for a picture and then we headed for the ferry and train to Amsterdam.
We finally had a train mishap getting off one stop too early and then missing our connection, but ever the improvisers we were soon on a new train and on our way. I think we managed to hit up most touristy things in our short day there. Shout out to Collin's friend, Jonathan, from Belgium for being the real MVP! He met us at the train station after already having taken care of booking us a hostel and together we figured out how to get there. Saturday morning consisted of Jonathan leading us to the I AMsterdam sign and then all through the middle of town and even to the Anne Frank House before we left for Belgium.
We picked up the car from the airport and headed to this amazing little church that is pretty much indescribable other than it changes appearances depending on the angles. We really thought we would be taking pictures in the pouring down rain, but the 2 hour traffic delay and highway shut down provided us with a beautiful background and further proving everything happens for a reason.
Sunday was packed full in the little amount of time we had left. We headed to Bastogne in the morning to go see the Texas Aggies Go to War exhibit at the Bastogne War Museum and it was incredible. We of course signed the guest book and were able to see just how many other Ags had been there before us. After the museum we made a pit stop back at Jonathan's house and his parents cooked us a wonderful lunch and then we were off the Brussels. It was a pretty hurried trip cramming in the Atomium, REAL Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate, and a city center all into about 45 minutes. We then THOUGHT we would be getting on a train back to Bonn, but there were some other way more convoluted plans awaiting us (Because what is more entertaining than 4 Americans sprinting through a train station, with over-stuffed backpacks, to make their connection?). Instead we arrived back in Bonn around 1:30am exhausted and so ready to be home we basically all jogged over to the taxi stand. But hey, we all made it to class on time!
After reaching the island, picking up our bikes, and checking into the hostel, it was time for a little workout led by Dr. Washer or yoga on the beach. I'm quite sure that at one point I fell asleep while laying on our backs and breathing because I don't remember a good chunk of our yoga time. I guess I was just really relaxed? Oops. Later that night we took our bikes way out to go find the lighthouse and see it up close. Islands are hilly...and on bikes, that sucks! But the lighthouse was worth it and the views we found on the way there. Side note about the island, it's INFESTED with little cotton tail rabbits. They are literally everywhere. Would make for some very easy hunting.
The second day meant spa day! Whoop! After all of our running around I think it was a much deserved and needed day spent at the spa. So many different pools of varying salt content and temperatures along with saunas were at our disposal. Pool hopping in its most relaxing form. One of my favorites had a salt content so high your whole body floated with zero effort. A few of us decided to try the schlik mud. It comes from the North Sea and we were told it was supposed to be amazing for your skin. Dilemma in deciding to do it: you had to be naked. No swim suits allowed. But I mean when in Europe, do as the Europeans right? Throwing all modesty to the wind we slathered ourselves with mud and enjoyed the sauna. They weren't lying about the skin thing though.....smooth as a baby's butt. To cap off a wonderfully relaxing day we watched the sunset on the beach and I'm quite sure that Norderney has the most beautiful sunsets.
Our last day on the island, Callie and I got up super early (5AM) to go see the sunrise and it was stunningly pretty. We did a mud walk on the flats at low tide and saw tons and tons of living organisms such as jelly fish, crabs, worms, and even a seal out swimming about. After the walk, it was one more trip to the beautiful white sand beaches for a picture and then we headed for the ferry and train to Amsterdam.
We finally had a train mishap getting off one stop too early and then missing our connection, but ever the improvisers we were soon on a new train and on our way. I think we managed to hit up most touristy things in our short day there. Shout out to Collin's friend, Jonathan, from Belgium for being the real MVP! He met us at the train station after already having taken care of booking us a hostel and together we figured out how to get there. Saturday morning consisted of Jonathan leading us to the I AMsterdam sign and then all through the middle of town and even to the Anne Frank House before we left for Belgium.
We picked up the car from the airport and headed to this amazing little church that is pretty much indescribable other than it changes appearances depending on the angles. We really thought we would be taking pictures in the pouring down rain, but the 2 hour traffic delay and highway shut down provided us with a beautiful background and further proving everything happens for a reason.
Sunday was packed full in the little amount of time we had left. We headed to Bastogne in the morning to go see the Texas Aggies Go to War exhibit at the Bastogne War Museum and it was incredible. We of course signed the guest book and were able to see just how many other Ags had been there before us. After the museum we made a pit stop back at Jonathan's house and his parents cooked us a wonderful lunch and then we were off the Brussels. It was a pretty hurried trip cramming in the Atomium, REAL Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate, and a city center all into about 45 minutes. We then THOUGHT we would be getting on a train back to Bonn, but there were some other way more convoluted plans awaiting us (Because what is more entertaining than 4 Americans sprinting through a train station, with over-stuffed backpacks, to make their connection?). Instead we arrived back in Bonn around 1:30am exhausted and so ready to be home we basically all jogged over to the taxi stand. But hey, we all made it to class on time!
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