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Essem, Holland
June 14th, Monday - Drive to Essem, by TD
Debbie and I went to Schiphol Airport to
return our long term Deutsch rental car and pick up new cars.
There wasn't a large van available to rent, so we had to
settle on two cars. Fortunately, there were two Belgium cars
which will save the drop off charge. Avis had the best price
so we continued to give them our business. I wasn't surprised
to find that the Berlin Avis office had not completed the one
day, one way rental agreement. East Germans still seem to be
lacking in work skills from our experience. The Dutch office
called them to get it done but 45 minutes later, I left
leaving the contract in limbo.
 No
one had breakfast when I returned to the Etap. Instead it
became an early lunch at the McD's across the road. Our car
caravan began before noon, heading for Essem in the northeast
of the Netherlands, near the German border. I was surprised to
find areas of pine forest as we drove away from Amsterdam. I
had expected to find farmland and cows along the entire route.
Directions to the Landal Parc Sandur were easy to follow. We
found a mixed use recreational community, made up of timeshare
units and holiday homes. All the buildings face manmade
waterways.
Units weren't available until the 15:30 check in. This was the
first place in our year of travel that couldn't or wouldn't
give you access to a room early. The place came with a packet
of rules and regulations (in German and Dutch) that would make
your head spin. Linen and towels weren't included and all
activities but swimming were at a charge. You'd think we
wouldn't be so naïve about resorts. There is a supermarket on
the property with reasonable prices at least.
After wasting an hour waiting for the unit, we unloaded and
walked around. The kids are fighting like cats and dogs. It is
almost unbearable for us. We hope that they mellow down
because we're together for two weeks. At least it is going to
be much easier in a house than it would have been in two hotel
rooms. There is a patio area to sit on and get away. It's
light until after 11 PM and the sun is rising at 4 AM. I love
long days of daylight.
June 15th, Tuesday - Touring Emmen, by DW
The word for the day is "luxurious". After
a relaxing morning, TD and I washed undies in the sink and
prepared the bag of laundry for the machine. Claire is a
typical American teenage girl who dirties more laundry in one
day than we generate in 3. So most of the wash was filled with
her outfits. Traveling for the past 10 months, we have learned
to wear the same outer clothes forever! Fortunately we have
never had the "3 days for one pair of undies" to limit
laundry.
 Awakening
Claire at 10 am we headed off to Emmen to do some touring and
shopping. The boys were immediately bored and separated from
the rest of us to cruise a toy store. While Deb and Claire
shopped in clothes stores, I waited for the boys and TD went
towel shopping. We figured it would be cheaper to buy towels
than to rent them from the resort. Especially, when you can
buy a towel for 6.49 Euros. By the time TD had finished some
grocery shopping we headed back to the Parc with kids who
wanted no more touring.
After lunch Deb and I had a siesta. I found snuggling into bed
for a nap luxurious. It has been months since I had one of my
favorite things. When the kids headed to the community center
for a 3:00 disco bowling activity, TD and I went to the
laundry. TD then trekked back to Emmen to go to the only
e-mail location in the area - the library! AD and Phil spent
the evening playing in a fort they made in a rock pile not far
from the house. Deb, TD and I taught Claire how to play Hearts
and we spent the evening playing cards.
Visit with Marjan in Exloo,
Holland...»
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