The Dutch Way on Mother's Day

I know i'm suppose to continue writing on our Italy/Swiss trip. but since we're in the topic of Mother's day, i just had to write about what we did over the weekend. i've just had a wonderful weekend! yesterday was Pinkstermaandag, a public holiday, so we had an extra day. I got Hardy a bike for his birthday last year, so this year, my dear husband thought i'd be nice for the 3 of us to cycle together, and so he got me a bike for Mother's Day. it's a shame not to have one in this weather, and besides, i've always loved riding a bike. i used to cycle quite a lot when i was younger.

I must say back then bicycles were different.... i dont remember struggling hopping on the bike! i dont remember struggling stopping! i havent been on one since i was probably 10 or 12 years old! and what a laugh we had! they could probably hear me shouting "maaakkkk!!", if not "aaaarrhhh!!" a mile away!

After our breakfast, we then check if the bikes are fit to go. first hurdle, put Aidan in his seat. (no problem), second, put his helmet on since we're not going to use the inner roads (a slight problem), third, get Zaza on her seat (huge problem! hahahah!). Hardy had packed us a picnic bag for us filled with snacks, fruits, water and sandwiches, and off we went on our bicycle practice trial ride - a TEN kilometers ride! 10!!! yes 10km for a practice ride thanks to Hardy!

We cycled for about an hour before we reached Berg. i was lucky with the traffic lights, slowed down when i saw the lights turned red, sprint away when it's green, avoiding having to stop! clever huh? Berg is a small village on the famous River Maas. and just across the river was Belgium. there we found ourselves a spot to sit and sigh in relief!


There was a small ferry shuttling mostly cyclists, bikers and cars to the other side. its just a short and slow 2 minute ferry ride across the Maas. across the river were ice cream vans, a small snack bar/cafe, some rent-a-canoe spot and a good long stretch of bicycle lane along the river. we decided to give it a miss this time. i had to remind the ever so enthusiastic Hardy to save some energy to cycle back home!

This is dutch. everyone cycles. everyone has a bike. i now have more respect for cyclists, and the dutch people for cycling everywhere! honestly, they are a bunch of fit people. there are rules for cyclists too, and not to mention car drivers when you drive in the country full with cyclists. but it is so safe to cycle, in or out of town. and in this kind of weather, it's so beautiful to be on a bike and see the country!


We rested our legs, knees and butts for about an hour. just enjoing the day, and the view, together with some elderlies who sat next to us. Aidan was brilliant throughout! i'd definitely want to try another ten on a less hilly road soon!

We ended the day with a very delicious dinner my husband cooked - Nasi Ayam! (i know a few wifeys who are privillaged to have husbands who cook... you guys are really really lucky! make sure you cook on Father's Day!)

I am one happy mama! before i was one, i felt that Mother's Day's just a day where people would make extra money and make a big hype over something we should celebrate and appreciate everyday. now after being one, i have a different view on Mother's Day. its a day to just not do anything and let the fathers do it! hehe. how i wish everyday is Mother's Day!

And who says Holland is flat?!?! Holland is definitely NOT flat when you're on a bicycle! i take my word back.. Holland's NOT flat! hahaha...

Thank you boys, i had a brilliant time. i love you both to pieces!

Moeder Dag

I was trying to find suitable photos for this post, and as i went through them, most of them made me laugh, and some laugh so hard till tears rolled down my cheeks. there were some good photos and videos of my mum and my son. and as tears started rolling down my cheeks, i thought to myself, how lucky i am to have a such a beautiful mother who loves her daughters unconditionally, who'd do anything for their daughters and adores her grandchildren.

My mum once asked me,"how does it feel looking at your mother with your child?". well mum, i can tell you that i feel like i'm the most luckiest person alive whenever i get to see Aidan in your secure, loving arms. i feel like i'm the happiest person alive whenever i get to see Aidan laughing with you... i feel extremely proud it's like this feeling like you're on top of those snowcapped mountains in Switzerland (will show pictures soon!), standing on top of the world!

Not only she's my idol, she's my role model, she's my best friend, she's my advisor... she insipires me to be the best that i can, she teaches me so so much, and the best part is she's extremely, EXTREMELY understanding - you're way way cool mum!

Since you're moving houses, settling the last few minor details with the apartment, i thought i'd send you this postcard instead. the real card and your present will be waiting for you in your room upstairs, here in Holland. hurry up! we cant wait to see you again and make lots of memories together. we miss and love you dearly.

You're one in a million. and how fortunate we are to have you as our mum. and mum, just to let you know, we're extremely proud to be your daughters.

Here's to all mothers and soon to be mothers, i wish you all the love in the world. it is honestly a reward, a joy and such an amazing experience to be one.

Here's to you Mum, just for being you!

Happy Mother's Day!

With love!

Italian Dream Part 2 - Bello!

MENAGGIO

The next day we went to Menaggio. this town is at the very heart of Lake Como, east of Porlezza, just about 20 mins drive from where we stayed (up and down the hills, through tunnels and roads leading there were less "butt clenching"!!!). Menaggio is a very lively town, defintiely one of the most popular destinations on Lake Como, touristic amongst the europeans as well as locals.

I absolutely adore, love Menaggio! it was simply beautiful and buzzing! as we were busy snapping photos of Aidan, an old man approached us, and he spoke in Italian. we of course couldnt understand a word he was saying but it was something about Aidan. we then nodded and smiled and replied in English. few mins later he walked away. as we were about to leave and walk to our car, we bumped into him again. this time, he was with his wife. he introduced her to Aidan and then spoke in English. he has 10 children. 7 are married, and he has 17 grandchildren. he then spoke in italian again, and as we said our goodbyes and waived to the old couple, he then said "goodbye beautiful family". to which i felt so incredibly touched and wanted to hug him straight away.


With my two buys having fun, with the beautiful view, and that topped it off. It certainly made my day.

So.. that was Menaggio. it was simply breathtakingly beautiful. every corner, every alley, everywhere we turned. lots of pictures still in our minds, we had some fond memories of that place. (nin, here's to you, pictures of me!)

We then drove up to the hills and passed by little villages- Loveno, Logo, Piazzo, Ligomena, Plesio, Molino Spinzi, before finally stopping at the top - Breglia. it was recommended that we take a path leading to the top of the hill, and they claim that you'd get the best views to witness Menaggio and the little villages around it.

Hardy went up to the hills alone to catch the view. i had to stay in the car with Aidan as he was catching his nap, probably dreaming of the girl he saw earlier at the playgroud!

Wish you were there che Ferran!

Will share more! till next time, have a good friday guys, with all our love!

Z

Italian Dream Part 1 - Bonjourno!

We drove down to Italy straight from Sittard. it was in total of 9 hours including the 4 stops we had at the services for Aidan to stretch and run and fuel (both our tummies and car) to fill. i was excited since it was my first trip to Italy. passed Switzerland, and the view was simply beautiful, every turn was a picture opportunity, you dont know where to turn snap first! i was even more excited when i saw the snowcapped mountains, eventhough it was raining. gosh, there's too much to tell. i really feel that i have to write about every single thing but i should make this simple and hopefully enjoyable to read.

To Porlezza (the butt clenching stretch!)

We had to endure small roads from Lugano (Swizerland) to Porlezza (Italy). by this, i really mean small, SMALL narrow roads. i was clenching everything - my butt, my fists, my lips, my jaws, my toes, everything! i swear to God the road was so so small! the Italian drivers added my stress level everytime they drove pass us - they drive really fast. i suppose they know their way and besides, they drive small tiny cars. we on the other hand drive an estate approx 2.5 mtrs long and about 2ish mtrs wide (hardy, feel free to correct me). and to add to my stress level and blood pressure, Hardy was enjoying that whole stretch of road and kept saying "hey, this is fun" after turning at every corner. i kept giving him a mean stern look.

We have the cliffs on one side, and the lake on the other. i couldnt even enjoy the scenery let alone snap photos! i was biting my lips everytime a car passes by. a couple of inch "makan jalan" to your left, you'd hit the cliffs, a couple of inch "makan jalan" to your right, and you'll ended up in the lake (nauzubillah). the roads were as the malays would say "ngam ngam" (just enough) for 2 cars, and some you'd have to wait for your turn. andddddd...... there were so so many tunnels!!! tunnels here, tunnels there and everywhere! a few tunnels you'd have to wait for your turn as they were way to small to fit 2 cars.

This is definitely not something you'd want to go through if you have a weak heart! and most importantly, if you're driving, you need to have strong driving skills (thank god i wasnt driving!), and those not driving, you really got to trust that person behind the wheels! and for penakut passengers like me, please brace yourselves passing through from Lugano to Porlezza! but it was such a relief once we're done with that stretch and the view was worth it!

PORLEZZA

After a good half an hour stretch of "butt clenching torture", we arrived at Porlezza. the place where we stayed for 6 days. it is right at the north, the tip, the end of Lake Lugano. Hardy booked us a family home, very spacious, very clean, very nice, new, picturesque scenary from our balcony. the place was very popular amongst the Dutch! left, right, behind us were the mountains and just infront of us was this spactacular view of Lake Lugano. you'd even enjoy the mountains when you open the bathroom window!

We stayed on the 2nd floor, and what a view we had!

After a much well rested night, we woke up to a bright sun shiny morning and headed staright out. we went round the porto, and walked to its town. and by mid day, we were starving. what else but Pizza and Pasta (and Italian Coffee for some!)



You must be thinking this must be a dead town. how come there isnt anyone walking? well, the thing with Italy (at least this part), they close for lunch from 12.30pm to 3pm! so remember that when you go visit!

MILANO

We decided to drive down to Milan the next day as the weather was not on our side at Porlezza. Milan was just 60kms and that's about an hour drive from where we stayed. finding a parking was a little bit challenging though but we managed well thanks to a salesperson in MuiMui! now, to drive into Italy is one thing, and to drive into Milan is another thing! i dont have such courage nor patience for such things! i suppose God is fair, He gives you a partner, that completes you! hahaha!!

If you're in Holland, you will see a lot of men in suits on a bicycles. but in Milan, you will see men in their italian suits on scooters! they are REALLY stylish and their suits are REALLY nice and well made! Italy is definitely home for good fashion! there's a lot of history to this city, but i'm not a history person, Hardy is! they say a picture says a thousand words (though these photos dont do justice to these places). if only i could share this experience with you guys in real life, i would, but pictures are the best that i can do. so i'll leave you guys to it to enjoy!

There you have it, our first part of our spring vacation. more pictures coming up in my next few posts! and as i'm writing this, my dear husband Hardy is in Milan, again! but this time he's there for work. i dont mind going to Milan again... *clears throat* (to hardy: i'll plan the trip next time!)

I'm tempted to go on, but its very very late.. i should head to bed! good night everybody. till my next post!

Z

Our Spring 'Road' Trip - We're Back!

We're home!! we arrived home Sunday night after travelling for more than 2500 kms, after passing probably a hundred of tunnels, but with our hearts filled, our face still smiling eventhough we were tired, our tummies filled with pasta and pizzas (and not to mention italian ice cream) and our car full with dirty clothes. we really REALLY had a good time but nothing beats your own home, your own bed, your own kitchen and RICE (i miss rice).

I'm now doing my 3rd round of washing, but thank god the house is clean, we (hardy mostly) cleaned it right before we shoot off for our holidays. groceries are stocked, Aidan is well rested and happy, Hardy's back to work and i'm back to blogging and crafting. we're still downloading our photos from our 2 cameras (almost 2000 photos, can you believe it?!!) and i'm still selecting which ones to show them to you (having a tough time with that!). will do them today and hopefully will post on our trip tonight!

So there were were, the 3 of us, on our road trip to Italy, where we passed 6 (i think yes, 6) countries - from Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria.

The swiss snocapped mountains are exactly like those on Toblerone chocolate boxes, and i now know why Fiat created such small cars like Chicochento! till my next post... arrivederci!


Z