The Angry Budgie on Tour - The Netherlands 2009

Right so finally, after 10 months I have finally got round to doing a post on The Angry Budgie's tour to the Netherlands back in September of 2009! After having a rather nice holiday in the Netherlands the year before, my girlfriend and I decided to take the ferry across the North Sea to Ducth shores once again! This time to a holiday park called Beekse Bergen, located just south of Tilburg. A lovely park situated around a big lake, and sharing the site with a Safari Park. Anyway on to the holiday, ive decided just to go day by day and include a picture for each. Hopefully to give a brief outline of what we got up to!

Day 1We didn't really have big plan's for day 1, this day was spent driving across the M62 to the port in Hull, ready to catch the ferry to Europoort. You can see a little of the ferry in the picture above. Now I know the image of ferries does not look good to most people, but seriously, today ferries are raaather nice! The one above is like a proper small cruise ferry, very comfortable en suite cabins, bar's and show lounges. We spent most of the day waiting to board, which despite the wait, meant we would be near the front of the que to get off! Once onboard we had our buffet dinner, then relaxed in the showlounge before heading to bed.

Day 2 We spent day two, and our first in The Netherlands exploring the park and the surrounding lake, safar and water park. For residents of the vacation park side, you get unlimited free access to the safari park. So we had a pretty easy first day, just exploring and enjoying. The safari park really was a gem, you could take a tour of the park in your car, on foot, or in a safar bus. Needless to say by the end of the week, we had done all three!

Day 3 We really got to grips with the Safari Park today, the visit on the previous day had really been a quick one, as we were both tired and really just wanting to settle into our home from home. So we spent a long time in the park taking lots of pictures and enjoying the good weather!

Day 4 Today was to be our first attempt at getting to Brussels, Beekse Bergen is located in the south of the Netherlands and it would be a crime if we didn't try and get to the capital of Belgium. The plan would be to get from Tilburg to Roosendaal to pick up one of the larger intercity trains running from Amsterdam straight through to Brussels. Sadly we didn't make it, on arrival in Roosendaal we found out that the trains through to Brussels were cancelled. Rather than getting a local stopping train, we decided to head back to the park and try again on a different day!

Day 5
I had been looking forward to today ever since we decided to come back to the Netherlands! Today, we were of too De Efteling! To be honest, there was no reason not to go! De Efteling was as far North of Tilburg as Beekse Bergen is south! For those that don't know, De Efteling is basically the Dutch Alton Towers! A cracking park, based on fairy tails and the land of make believe, or so I thought! The highlight for me, The Flying Dutchman. A great day, with great weather, gotta love the Netherlands!

Day 6Another day in the Safari Park today, it was great having it so close to the vacation park. As if you didn't really fancy an energetic day you could just go and have a look at the animals again! We also spent the day riding round the park on our hired bikes, and playing some table tennis!

Day 7
Today we actually made it to Brussels! What a city it is, such amazing architecture and great people and food! Getting round was a breeze and we spend a good amount of time just watching the world go by! We went to the Comic Museum which is a great place, and if your ever going to Brussels a must visit! We also took a tour round the Belgian equivalent of Buckingham House, very impressive too!

Day 8Yes, you guessed it, another trip round the safari park, however this time in my car! Was an interesting experience getting up close and personal with the animals. Thankfully you didn't have to drive through the monkey enclosure!

Day 9
This was our last day in The Netherlands, so after packing the car and handing in our keys, we spent the morning on the beach around the lake, and enjoying the trampolines! Fantastic fun! We left around midday to head to Europoort to get in the que nice and early for boarding. Much like our outbound sailing we got onboard, ate, and relaxed while having a drink. Then spending some time outside as we sailed our of the port.

Anyway that's it, and a quick review of the holiday. I really can recommend the Netherlands for a holiday, great country, great people and good weather! Plus using the ferry, and going in your car, you can take as much or as little as you like!

Next up, will hopefully be a quick review of The Anrgy Budgie going to Japan, again from last september, and a trip to Singapore last month!