Europe 2018 — The Kooi Family

The Art of Cruising

Our second port town was Stavanger, Norway and we embarked on our second shore excursion. This time we headed out into the fjords and had an enchanting boat ride as the rain held up for our short visit.

Our boat excursion ended in a picturesque tourist village where we had a quick hike and snapped lots of photos.

The day finished with a bus ride back to town where we got to explore a bit.

We have also continued to have a great time on the boat. We ate at the adults only dining room last night and had one of the best dinners we’ve had in a long time. Tommy couldn’t pick what entree he wanted so our waiter surprised him with half portions of both! He also brought us a third dessert since we hadn’t ordered anything Italian at an Italian restaurant. Needless to say we are well on our way to the Disney Cruise 10 lbs gain guarantee.

We are also two pub trivia rounds in without a win. Hanako says all she wants for her birthday is to win one round of trivia... so the stakes are high.

Lillie KooiAugust 19, 2018

Disney Magic

As I mentioned in a previous post this is not our first vacation with the Imbers. At the tail end of our 2016 Disney World trip we also did a three night Disney Cruise, somehow knowing five days of Disney just wouldn’t be enough. During this trip through the Bahamas we discovered the key to our happiness must actually involve all you can eat food as we fell in love with cruising. And specifically Disney cruising with their attention to detail and high quality entertainment. So before that trip was even over we placed a down payment on the next and started planning.

Hana wanted to do a cruise for her 30th birthday and had her eyes set on the Norwegian Fjords. So in March 2016 with our downpayment and discount locked in we scheduled a 10 night Norwegian and Icelandic cruise for August 2018 and the countdown and planning began.

Since then this trip has morphed quite a bit with the details shifting here and there, but it’s always been centered around the cruise. And now we are finally onboard The Disney Magic.

The first night was as magical as we remember, with top notch shows and food. One of the highlights from last time is Disney’s famed rotational dining and we are oh so excited to be on the ship for ten whole days to really soak it all in, or more accurately, eat it all up.

Our first port was Kristiansand, Norway. We explored the city a bit and then Tommy and I went to a preserved farming village with houses from the 1600’s. It was an interesting excursion with lots of facts about Norway. For instance in the late 1800’s over 800,000 Norwegians immigrated to America, leaving only 60% of the population.

With a longer cruise we have also gotten to slow down a bit and enjoyed the ship a bit more. Lounging on deck with a drink, watching classic Disney movies by the pool is my new favorite thing to do.

Up next is Stavanger!

Lillie KooiAugust 18, 2018

Pillaging and Plundering in Denmark

Our last full day in Denmark was all about Vikings. We headed to the old city of Roskilde where many of the Viking kings ruled from. There we visited an interactive Viking museum where we got to mint our own coins, watch rope being made, and witnessed Viking ships being built using only tools that were available during the Viking Age (roughly 800-1000 AD).

The museum also had 5 Viking ships that had sunk in the harbor that they had pain stakingly reassembled over a 25 year period. The ships were over 1000 years old and their excavation taught us a lot about the Viking Age. Archaeologists previously didn’t think they had the technology to build 30 meter long ships but it turns out they built even bigger boats.

We also learned that many of the stereotypes we think of when we think of Vikings aren’t super accurate. For instance they were a fairly hygienic people, bathing at least once a week. They were also highly disciplined and collaborative. They did however pillage, plunder, rape and reave just as we’ve always thought. As the museum guide said, the Viking history was actually not written by the victors in their case but instead written by those that could actually write. Hence the negative image we so often see portrayed.

In the evening we took part in a wine and cocktail tour around Copenhagen. We went to a couple lovely places and had some good drinks. Including natural wine which is becoming very trendy and is much more similar to what the Romans would have drunk. Our tour guide answered all our questions about Danish culture and we learned all about their education system, their politics, and thier rivalry with Sweden. It was the perfect way to end the land portion of this adventure. Thanks Denmark for a great couple days!

Up next we board our much anticipated cruise. Us girls are beyond excited and are already counting down the hours!

Lillie KooiAugust 16, 2018

A Not So Childish Imagination

Seeing as we are dragging the boys on a ten-night Disney Cruise we felt a bit obligated to do at least one thing for them. Since we had to be in Denmark anyway heading to the birthplace of LEGO felt like just the thing! With our inside connection (a family friend works as an engineer for LEGO) the trip fell into place and we headed to Billund for the day.

Up first was an insider look at the history of LEGO as we toured the LEGO Idea House, which is only open to LEGO employees and their guests. We had the whole museum to ourselves and it was fascinating learning all about the company’s long history. Starting as a furniture company they quickly transformed into a toy manufacturer making wood toys for the first half of their existence. They then pivoted to plastic and then the LEGO brick at just the right time. Their commitment to quality and a child’s imagination has been steadfast and my appreciation for the small toy brick grew exponentially.

Next up we got to explore the LEGO House which only recently opened to the public. It was an unbelievable compilation of creativity and imagination. Whole rooms full of gigantic and intricate LEGO landscapes, the most unbelievable four story LEGO tree, and various rooms full of games and creation stations. We explored the scenes in all their glorious detail, created a stop motion movie, rescued mammoths from ice caves, and created fish that could swim the open sea. The place was inspirational and embodied the spirit and vision of what built LEGO into the mammoth they are today.

It really was an amazing day and brought us a whole new appreciation for this itty bitty child’s toy. The boys were in heaven and us girls even managed to have a good time. It was a wonderful side trip on an equally wonderful epic adventure.

Lillie KooiAugust 15, 2018

Getting Hygge in Copenhagen

At the start of our visit in Denmark we all had to admit we knew almost nothing about the country we had just arrived in. Our knowledge could be counted off on one hand.

1. Vikings

2. Danish language

3. Part of the EU

4. LEGO

5. Danish pastries

And nothing else. Not how to say hello, not anything about the currency, and nothing about its history, other than Vikings of course. And it turns out number five isn’t even Danish. Without going too in depth to how embarrassing this is I do want to acknowledge the astounding privilege us Americans really have when it comes to traveling the world.

To remedy our lack of knowledge we took a walking tour our first day in Copenhagen. It was a fascinating and interesting tour and we learned so much! I particularly enjoyed the tidbits about the Vikings as I have Viking ancestors on both sides of my family. I am sure it shows through in my everyday personality, at least when I’m hungry 😊

We got to hear amazing anecdotes about Hans Christian Anderson, the history and rivalry between Denmark and the other Scandinavian countries, and about how the two great fires in the 1700’s destroyed everything except the one street used for sewage and low-end prostitution. We also learned all about the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced Huga) which generally translates to cozy. The Danish people hold this concept in very high regard and make a point of having cozy houses and take the time to spend time indoors with their loved ones, eating and telling stories while the winter rages outside. This is perhaps why a great story teller like Hans Christian Anderson was so successful in this country.

The Danish people are also some of the happiest on earth and it was interesting to hear all about their social safety nets, taxes, and general economic structure. Also, if you are interested they have a very popular, and adorable, royal family.

So for the second half of the day we toured one of their old royal palaces. I’ve seen a lot of palaces this last month but this one had some amazing pieces and was fun to explore. The family has ruled continuously in Denmark for hundreds of years so their palaces were never ransacked to have their valuables sold off like so many others we have visited. It was also not overrun with tourists the way every other had been, which was a huge plus. They are actually the longest ruling, still active monarchy.

We have been pleasantly surprised by our visit so far, and oh so happy to be together. Tomorrow is our much anticipated visit to the birthplace of LEGO!

Lillie KooiAugust 13, 2018

The Arrival

The Imber’s are here! The Imber’s are here!

Hana and Kevin arrived on Friday and I am so excited to spend the next two weeks and our final leg of the trip with them! The four of us are no strangers to traveling together as we have made various trips and spent many a weekend away together. Our first big trip was to Mexico where we tested the waters of our friendship and found we got along quite well, at least when unlimited food and alcohol was involved. A year or so later we ramped up the stress level and spent a week at Disney World together, and we figure if a friendship can survive that it can survive just about anything! And we did more than just survive, to this day it’s one of our favorite vacations we’ve taken.

So needless to say we have very much been looking forward to this phase of the trip. First up was more Amsterdam as we showed them around the city we have grown quite fond of. We did a city walking tour on day one while Tommy worked and then rented bicycles for the weekend and took off towards the countryside and coast.

On our way we passed through cute farmland and the adorable town of Haarlem, which NYC’s neighborhood is named after as it started as a Dutch community, and eventually made it all the way to the North Sea. All in all we biked about 20 miles into the wind the whole way so by the end we felt we deserved a celebratory drink. We did however opt for taking the train back, this is supposed to be vacation after all.

Keeping tradition alive we celebrated Kevin’s birthday at a restaurant of the girls choosing. This year we ended up on a canal dinner cruise. We had a lovely evening complete with a few bizarre courses but some really delicious food, wine, and great conversation.

Yes, we all ate a grasshopper. The dinner really was a perfect way to end our time in The Netherlands. Tomorrow we visit the Anne Frank House and then head to Denmark. Until next time Amsterdam! You’ve been great.

Lillie KooiAugust 12, 2018

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

The Imber’s arrive tomorrow, meaning phase two of this journey is drawing to an end. The last two weeks have been all about doing whatever I felt like when I got up in the morning and largely exploring on my own. Besides the weekends with Tommy in Paris and Prague I spent my days on my own hopping around from place to place on the train.

This concept was definitely new to me and there is no doubt I struggled at times. But I managed to navigate many a city and small village. Went on organized tours and just wandered on my own. Talked with locals, shopped for souvenirs, ate way too much gelato, and contented myself with slow solo meals.

I traveled by train, van, bus, bike and my own two feet, averaging 8 miles of walking a day. I saw four countries and learned just as many ways to say hello and thank you. Explored seven different Dutch towns and ate gelato at least once a day, because it turns out there is no such thing as too much gelato.

I practiced with my camera and tried to get more comfortable with using it on manual. Many days I got home to realize I had it in a bad setting or didn’t pay enough attention to my F-Stop. But there is no doubt I am developing better instincts.

The title of this post is probably a bit corny, but this saying has always been one of my favorites. It serves as a reminder and speaks to a part of me that I rarely listen to. I often let my anxiety and uncertainty get in the way of my adventurous side but deep down I know it’s okay to wander now and then.

This week marks exactly one year since I started traveling to NYC for work and there is no doubt that while terrifying, the decision to do so was extremely influential and positive. This trip in many ways is a continuation of that adventure and an affirmation that I can let my heart lead from time to time. Even when my brain tells me it doesn’t make any sense.

I’m not sure what’s next but I am excited to see it all unfold. For now, bring on phase 3!! The KooImber’s take on Northern Europe!!

Lillie KooiAugust 9, 2018

Ahoy Prague!

As we were planning our epic adventure we knew we would get two weekends to ourselves and early on we knew exactly where those two weekends would be spent. The first was Paris of course and the second was Prague. My mom had spent a summer in Prague when I was 10 and I had grown up hearing about its beauty and uniqueness. So it was with much anticipation that we landed in Prague for our three night stay. And much to our delight we learned that ahoy means hi in Czech! Everything else about the language proved beyond our pathetic language skills however, well besides pivo that is.

Tommy had to work the first day so I set out to see the countryside on a little guided hike. We visited a beautiful canyon in The Czech Republic and then an amazing stone bridge and ancient village among terrifyingly high cliffs in Germany. It was a great day despite the heat. The guide was energetic and excited to tell us all about his country and its natural beauty and made sure we got an authentic Czech lunch, which was phenomenal and of course came with great pivo. I also befriended an awesome woman from Spain and we spent the day sharing travel stories and our favorite foods.

The next two days we got to explore the city and the tales of its beauty and ambiance were right on. Like so many of ther other cities we have visited it was overly crowded which took away from certain moments. But there is no doubt it was a lovely city to walk around. Europe’s heat wave was hard on us as the city experienced triple digit temperatures and 100% humidity. We got trapped in two torrential thunderstorms and even saw lightning strike right in front of us. It was pretty nuts.

A highlight of our weekend was taking a food and drink walking tour led by a local foodie. It was so much fun exploring the city while tasting many of its unique dishes and drinks. During communism restaurants essentially didn’t exist and only soviet approved cafeterias were allowed, all serving the exact same food from the exact same recipes. Having only been out from The Soviet Unions rule for thirty years the revival of authentic Czech cuisine is fairly recent but if you know where to look you can find some incredible things. Definitely one of the best experiences we’ve had the whole trip.

We also made the trek up to the castle, which is still the active headquarters of the countries president. It was an immense complex with lots to see including stunning views of the city below.

I actually wasn’t feeling well so I took very few pictures of the castle and of the ones I did none really turned out all that great. But it was still a great adventure and all in all a weekend to remember!

Also, we stumbled into one of Tommy’s long time bucket list items completely unexpectedly! Prague has an amazing and comprehensive Apple museum complete with almost every apple product ever produced. Needless to say Tommy was in heaven! He had heard about it a long time ago but had totally forgotten it was in Prague. Definitely a super happy nerd moment for my guy.

Lillie KooiAugust 7, 2018

Three Countries in Three Days

With Tommy back at work after our whirlwind Paris weekend I’ve been left to my own devices once again. So I decided to do what I do best, keep myself busy. In just three days I managed to visit three countries, taking full advantage of my euro rail pass.

First up was Belgium. Tommy continued on the train to Amsterdam but I took my opportunity to jump off in Brussels and experience the city my sister ran off to all those years ago. I loved it. Especially after the crazy that was Paris. It felt quiet, walkable, and so very friendly. I took a “free” walking tour and it was fantastic. Funny and informative, I found a new appreciation for a country I honestly knew very little about. I also managed to find an amazingly friendly bartender that helped me find my favorite beer on my trip to date! I also took a chocolate tasting tour and had to use every ounce of will power not to buy ALL the chocolate (I still bought a lot). It was seriously good.

After a wonderful day I was on my way and headed up to Amsterdam. I spent the next day exploring this unique city and was completely delighted. It was touristy for sure but not in the overwhelming way Paris was. Everything blended together wonderfully and the people watching, especially the bike watching, was top notch. The bike culture is unparalleled. Every street has a separate lane for cars, bikes and people, and if anything is short changed it’s the side walks for walking. You can see every age, ethnicity, and gender on bikes. Pregnant women, fathers toting around up to three children, and business men in suits, all on bikes. And you learn quickly to stay out of their path, bikes are king in this town. I also found the most adorable wine bar on a quiet canal where I sat for hours just reading and soaking it all in.

My last stop on my three day whirlwind was Cologne, Germany. I knew I wanted to make it to Germany as I had never been. Originally I wanted to get to Hamburg but it was a five hour train each way which felt like a lot. But a German guy I had met on the Brussels walking tour suggested Cologne as a great option so I decided to give it a try!

When I first arrived I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into. I had booked another “free” walking tour and they gave directions to start in a very uninteresting rather bleak part of town. But the day ended up fantastic. The tour guide was once again phenomenal, making me laugh out loud and giving me all sorts of fun information about the city. It wasn’t the prettiest city as almost all of it was destroyed during WWII but I found the walk fascinating nonetheless. My favorite part was the diversity of people in the group. Of 22 people only five were American (this was the English tour mind you) and the vast majority were young Europeans on holiday. There was a Croatian living in Belgium, a Hungarian living in Paris, an Italian traveling solo through Europe and many, many others. It’s amazing how English is the language that brings them all together. Everyone was friendly and eager to hear each other’s stories. I’m so very glad I did it. It was also interesting hearing about the destruction of WWII from a German’s perspective. They experienced quite the devastation on their side too and yet there was never a hint of victimhood or bitterness. Only a deep understanding of the consequences of their terrible actions.

I also must brag a bit as I climbed to the top of the Cologne Cathedral, all 500+ steps. I’ve never earned my afternoon gelato more. Also, that thing is massive! I never managed to get the whole cathedral in frame for a decent picture.

Finally, at the risk of making this post way, way, way too long, I wanted to reassure my team that I am keeping a healthy diet while on my trip. While I have limited access to gold fish I have been able to consume a steady stream of waffles, fries, wine and beer, so don’t worry too much about my health 😁

Cheers!

Lillie KooiAugust 2, 2018

What We Leave Behind

Our last day in France was all about contrasts. An opulent palace built for an extravagant king and a quaint cottage on the side of a small river. Formal gardens extending farther than the eye can see, complete with marble statues and gold fountains, and a small Water Lily pond built for retreat. Luxury in the morning and contemplation in the afternoon. And all within a stone’s throw of Paris.

First up was Versailles. Built by King Louis XIV during the height of his reign as a means to show off his absurd wealth and power as well as to escape the city. The palace was truly a sight to behold. Rivers were rerouted, enough rooms were built to host 3,000 people, and half of France’s GDP was spent to make it all happen. It is a small wonder the people eventually revolted when they were going hungry in the streets.

The most impressive bit however had to be the gardens. Words nor pictures could do their scale justice. Coming in at over 3,000 acres, the short 45 minutes we got there didn’t even approach being long enough. We now officially have a new bucket list item and that is to return and spend an entire day getting lost in it all. The palace itself was also overcrowded and claustrophobic, something we were realizing is common for high tourist season in Europe’s big cities. We are grateful of our previous decisions of only visiting at off peak times. But the hustle and bustle inside only made the gardens more amazing as they felt quiet and open.

We left the palace late morning and headed across the French countryside, stopping in the most adorable cottage for lunch. Tommy quickly declared it his favorite place he had ever been and I had to agree. So peaceful and serene. A beautiful place to eat lunch and unwind from the extravagance we had just seen.

The afternoon was spent in Giverny, where Claude Monet retreated to in order to escape the chaos of Paris and continue his pursuit of impressionist art. It is here that he drew his inspiration for his most famous works, many of which we had just seen the days before. The gardens made for a beautiful stroll and a good excuse to break out the macro lens again. The village was also adorable, almost surpassing Assisi on my list of places I want to retire in one day.

On a day like this it is hard not to contemplate legacy. King Louis XIV and Monet have both been remembered long after their deaths and probably will continue to be for a long time to come. Some could argue that this was their true goal in what they created. Art and power are often pursued as a means to cope with the weight of our own mortality. Both have left very different legacies but both continue to have their name spoken and their creations admired.

Some great people are forgotten shortly after their deaths. Others are remembered for much longer than they deserve. Some art is lost to time and decay despite the mastery and beauty they embodied. And some are surrounded by barriers and their own personal guard. It’s all a wonder. Something I will marvel at for a long time to come.

And with that we say goodbye to France. Until next time that is.

Lillie KooiAugust 1, 2018

Love for The Louvre

The day has come. Our visit to The Louvre.

Having heard the museum is massive and over crowded we had decided to book a small group guided tour that included both The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. They advertised 6-10 people and had the best reviews we could find. So boy were we thrilled when we ended up being the only two people on the 6 hour tour! That’s right, we got a private tour and had the most amazing, passionate and informed Croatian man as our guide.

And our trip was oh so memorable. Mato, our guide reminded us exactly why we love museums when we know the history and significance behind each piece. The best guides tell a story and that is exactly what we were treated too. We got to hear about how the school of line and the school of color clashed and how the best artists were always pushing boundaries. We saw great sculptures and paintings and fell in love with Michelangelo and Raphael all over again.

The collection was massive and we were so happy to have a guide to lead us through it. The crowds were also a bit overwhelming, no where so much as in front of La Joconde.

This is the real name for the painting we know as Mona Lisa and Mato insisted we learn to call her by her real name. The mass of people and multiple barriers in front of her definitely took away from the experience much in the same way they did at the Sistine Chapel. But Mato reminded us of why she was so remarkable and it was fun having her stare you down, even as you drifted through each corner of the room.

For me the highlight was The Winged Victory of Samothrace. It is one of only a few original marble statues from the Hellenic era, coming in at well over 2,000 years old it was truly a marvel to look up at.

Next up was d’Orsay where we were walked through the transformation from classical academy style paintings through to the impressionist era. I love seeing a topic, any topic really, through the eyes of someone truly passionate as it enhances the experience tenfold. I find myself loving something, whatever it is, through them and can’t help but get swept away in it.

So our much anticipated day in Paris could not have gone better. We even got free tickets to cruise the Seine to round out the evening. Tomorrow is another big bucket list item of Tommy’s as we head out to Versailles!

Lillie KooiJuly 31, 2018

And Finally...Paris

Tommy and I were 17 when we first started planning our trip to Paris. He was taking an art history class at our local community college and as much as Tommy loves numbers and computers he also has a strong passion and love of art. He then read the Da Vinci Code and our fate was sealed.

Since then we have been to some of the worlds best museums. The Uffizi in Florence, the Vatican in Rome, the MOMA in New York, the Prada in Madrid, just to name a few. But the Louvre and France had always evaded our travels.

So our arrival in Paris was filled with eager anticipation and excitement. Day one started with an exciting Eurostar train, complete with breakfast and admiration for the human engineering spirit as we sped under the English Channel. But ultimately the first part of our day was dampened by it being just too hot. 100 degrees in a big city is rather unbearable. But we made the most of it and stopped every hour for ice cream. We also cooled off in the musée de I’Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies.

We also made it to Notre Dame where we ended up getting trapped in a torrential downpour in an impressive lightning and thunderstorm. It was all quite the adventure, if not hot and tiring. We have also been to a lot of cathedrals in our travels, all a bit different from the last. It’s always been hard to top St. Peter’s for its utter magnitude. Notre Dame however was haunting. The whole place felt heavy, like it was holding some terrible secret. If it weren’t so hot it would have been lovely to just sit and listen.

The evening was nothing short of magical. We had reservations to eat at the Eiffel Tower and it was everything we had hoped. Great service, food, and company. It was so fun to get all dressed up and eat while overlooking a beautiful city being lit up by lightning.

Tomorrow is the big day. The Louvre!

Lillie KooiJuly 31, 2018

Commence Phase II

My mom and Lolo are now on a plane heading back to the Northwest while Tommy and I have our last night in England. I just want to take a moment and reflect on what a wonderful first phase of the trip it was. I got to see parts of the world I’ve always wanted to see, travel with my mom and sister, and stay so busy I was able to completely disconnect from work which was the whole point of this crazy adventure.

I loved traveling with my mom and sister. We ate so much amazing food, drank great beers, saw great sights, laughed, and avoided any catastrophic meltdowns. And when hypoglycemia runs strong in your family this is no small feat.

I also want to acknowledge how amazing my mother is. She went completely out of her comfort zone for this trip. Challenging and pushing herself to make the most out of it and finally visit a country she has always wanted to explore. She pushed on with a bad knee, was up for anything, and braved the loud bars for us girls.

Isn’t she the cutest?? She inspires me every day and I am so happy we were able to make this trip happen.

Here’s to making another one happen soon! Thanks for the memories mommy and Lolo!

Up next is contenental Europe, some major bucket list items for Tommy and I, and some solo travel for me. Alarm is set for 4:45am to catch the train to Paris!!

Lillie KooiJuly 28, 2018

Beautiful Bath

Bath is a beautiful city. Traditionally a resort/spa town for the Romans, it remains a major destination today for Londoners trying to get out of the city. It was very intentionally designed and the architecture is fascinating.

We tried our hand at another hostel, this time up such a giant hill that we had to figure out the bus system or risk utter collapse by weeks end. The buses were easy and the aesthetic house on the hill made for some beautiful views. It was also fun to sleep in bunk beds for the first time in 20 years.

The real star of the stop however was hands down the Roman Baths. Tommy and I spent 16 days in Italy for our honeymoon. We saw every Roman ruin site we could as I love Roman history more than all the rest. But I think the Roman Baths might be the coolest thing I have seen yet.

They were simply stunning. And the site was setup with fascinating information, incredible artifacts and entertaining guides. You were led underground to see the way the Roman’s had brilliantly engineered the hot springs to create multiple pools and sauna rooms. They had displays to show you how things would have looked 2,000 years ago with the ruins set up in the spots they would have been back then.

I could have easily spent another 2 hours there exploring every inch. What a fun stop!

Lillie KooiJuly 27, 2018

A Wonderful Surprise

When my sister and I were planning our trip we knew we wanted to go to Edinburgh and Bath but were unsure where to go in between. We toyed with the idea of Cornwall or Wales but both were a bit out of the way and would require longer journeys than we were hoping for. My friend Millie mentioned York to me as her family was from there and she said it was lovely. We were able to find a neat looking hostel and decided to give it a try!

Boy were we rewarded! York is an old city with its founding dating back to Roman times. But was also occupied by the Vikings at one point and was an important hub during medieval days. This made it a wealth of fascinating buildings and sites and lots to photograph.

One of the interesting things was all the abandoned Abbeys. During the 16th century when Henry VIII fell out with the Catholic Church (they wouldn’t let him divorce his wife so he could marry someone else) so he had all the abbeys closed. This led the countryside to be dotted with abandoned church buildings that eventually fell into disrepair.

Lolo and I got a bit of a leg workout as we climbed up Clifford Tower and the York Minster tower, the latter being 300 steps up an extremely narrow and uneven spiral staircase. But Clifford’s had had live pigeons flying up and down the passage so not sure which was a more harrowing experience. But the views were worth it.

Inside the Minster was also fabulous. Complete with the largest piece of medieval stained glass in the world.

Another highlight was walking the ancient walls around the city. Originally built in Roman times and updated during the 11th century they were a site to truly appreciate.

York also had a fabulous food and beer scene, something we weren’t quite expecting. I also got my first experience in a hostel which I actually quite loved. The energy was pleasant and it was lovely to bring a bottle of wine back each night and unwind on their adorable patio and reflect on the day.

I think York has been my favorite stop yet. So much to see and contemplate. Exactly the place I was hoping to find on our journey through Britain.

Off to Bath next! Cheers!

Lillie KooiJuly 25, 2018

Magical Inspiration

Edinburgh is a magical city. You can see why so many writers and artists were inspired here. We spent a total of three nights in the city and had the most incredible view from our street. I was giddy the first time we walked around the corner and saw it...and I really never tired of it.

Yes, this is the view we woke up to every morning. A girl could get used to this...

The twisting roads, narrow alleys (closes) and ooold buildings kept us stopping every few minutes for more pictures. We even got to eat in a 500 year old pub! If it weren’t for the swarms of people I would have felt truly transported. Luckily I have a great imagination and thoroughly enjoy people watching.

Our much anticipated outing was of course the castle. It was pretty epic sitting on top of its stone mountain daring you to doubt its significance and history. We had to wait patiently for two days before getting to visit so our expectations had built to an absurd level, or at least mine had. The grounds were massive and the imagery right out of a story. Our morning was a blur but again a bit overwhelming because of the hordes of people.

For me the unexpected surprise was the Holyrood House which is an active royal palace of the British royal family across town. But this is mostly because the rooms of Mary Queen of Scots were available to visit and immaculately preserved. I couldn’t take any pictures inside but I was grinning ear to ear the entire time. The rooms, personal belongings, and story were almost too much. There was even a lock of her hair...which was mostly just weird. The grounds were also amazing, complete with an abandoned abbey and stunning views.

We also got to have high tea! I’m obsessed with scones, jam and clotted cream. As well as visit the amazing Edinburgh botanical gardens.

I definitely hope to return to Scotland one day. The city and the country side were nothing short of stunning. I can still feel the energy and magic.

I also have to mention how wonderful it was having Tommy along for the journey. He has to work during the first month of this adventure and he hasn’t complained a bit. But our weekends have been specially planned to include his schedule and I am so happy Edinburgh was one of our grand stops together.

Lillie KooiJuly 24, 2018

Scotland!

I can’t come up with a clever title for this post. Perhaps because words, or even pictures for that matter, couldn’t possibly do this country justice.

One of my most anticipated days was our trip up to the highlands. And it did not disappoint. A day of beautiful scenery, adorable villages, and of course more castles than I could keep track of.

The site we booked our drive with said they let Scotland be the star and it absolutely was.

We also got to swing by Stirling castle at the end of our day. Its facade was impressive from the valley and its history colorful and engrossing, at least for a history nerd like me. It also is the site of the church that the King James Bible was transcribed, which, given its significance and impact, was a humbling place to stand. The graveyard on the grounds was vast and intense. My sister and I got carried away running through the twists and turns and exploring every hill and corner.

I’m still absorbing it all but needless to say we are having a fabulous time!

Lillie KooiJuly 22, 2018

Flowers and an Old Town

My mom is a self described plant nerd. Her love of plants and flowers know no bounds so when she heard Oxford has the oldest botanical garden in the UK it became a priority destination for our trip. So we strapped on our backpacks, broke out our train tickets and embarked on our first big day trip.

Oxford was mesmerizing. An engrossing medieval city with so much to gawk at. We loved the winding alleys, old walls, and beautiful architecture. We saw thousand year old buildings, goggled at sites where great discoveries took place, and climbed a tower for a great view.

A highlight for us was the tavern frequented by Tolkien, CS Lewis and other literary figures. My siblings names could have very well been conceived within these walls! Super nerd moment!

We spent a couple hours in the gardens (mom could have easily spent hours more) and I finally put my macro lense to good use. Tommy has never been happier...his absurd purchase finally paid off!

We also got to grab a beer from a tavern built in the 12th century. Needless to say we were quite pleased with our little trip.

Next up... Scotland!

Lillie KooiJuly 20, 2018

A Family Affair....and Castles!

I’ve traveled quite a bit since college. Italy, London, Spain, Spain again, Australia and New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico. And around the states here and there. I love traveling. I love seeing new places and soaking in new cultures. There is something about standing somewhere on the other side of the planet that will always mesmerize me. And when it’s somewhere that has thousands of years of human history it’s even more mind boggling. Wether I’m frantically running from one historic site or museum to another, or watching the scenery go by while on some mode of transportation, eating at a local restaurant, or just watching the local telly, I’m most content while traveling the world.

One thing I have never done though is travel with my family. As much as I’ve seen, my sister has seen worlds more. One of my cornerstone memories growing up is her leaving home at the age of 16 to study abroad in Belgium for an entire year. She hasn’t stopped seeing the world since and I have looked at her travels and adventures in fascination and awe. I’ve seen a lot but it’s always felt minuscule in her shadow. So to get to see a part of the world with her that she hasn’t explored yet feels like 20 years in the making.

But this part of the trip really started with me wanting to give something back to my mom. I could never truly repay her for all that she has sacrificed. Or make up for the hardships she has endured largely to give me and my siblings a good childhood. I live in constant wonder and admiration of her and all that she is. She has always wanted to visit England and so I asked if she wanted to go. And what would make it even better? Having my sister along for the ride! So many months later, thousands of redeemed Delta miles, and lots of planning later, here we are, on the other side of the world.

Our first big day out we spent in London and saw our first real castle! Although they call it a tower...but I’m pretty sure those are actually the same thing, Brits just have funny names for things. It doesn’t get much better than exploring a 1,000 year old building. Honestly, I can’t even comprehend the history but there is something magical about it. I could sit at a site like this for hours and just soak it up....

...but of course it’s me and I can’t possibly “waste” a day sightseeing only one sight. My strategy has always been to do as much as I can until I’m on the brink of utter collapse. So that is what my mom and sister got to experience 😊

One of the cooler things about our day was I got some photography lessons from my two favorite photographers! They taught me all about the F-Stop, the ISO setting and the shutter speed. I was thrilled to experiment with the settings and learn how to really use it to take great photos. I think my photographs will suffer for a bit while I learn but I can’t wait to get the most out of it. It also slowed me down a bit which I know they were happy with.

The history of this place is phenomenal. Did you know Julius Caesar crossed the English Channel himself to bring the island into the Roman Empire (and violently drive out the Celts)? Or that a thousand years of kings and queens have been coronated in Westminster Abbey? Or that Rick Steve’s has the best self guided walking tours?

Have I said I love to travel?

Lillie KooiJuly 19, 2018

Cotswolds and Castles

The last couple days I’ve been left to my own devices and decided to explore the English countryside a bit. I headed out early to the Cotswolds, those quintessential stone roof cottages that dot the landscape outside London. They were just as adorable as advertised. Although I must admit to being very uncomfortable with all the tourists posing in front of peoples houses for photos. I tried to remain respectful but I have to imagine the locals hate it.

The countryside was gorgeous and I’m happy I made the trip. But in general everything felt a bit on the touristy side to me. Getting to see the Downton Abbey church was a highlight though! And did you know that a thatched roof can last 30 years!?! Blows my mind.

Besides the countryside I also visited some amazing palaces. Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and Hampton Court Palace, built by King Henry VII. I must confess that I haven’t been to any castles yet...just palaces. But I love alliteration more than my commitment to journalistic integrity, hence the title of this post. And let’s be honest, they serve a similar purpose and have a castley feel to them, so whatever.

Blenheim was over the top impressive. It was hard to take it all in but I thoroughly enjoyed my two hours of wandering in and around it. It was a fun, although intimidating, place to start reacquainting myself to my camera. The story of this house reminded me a lot of the Downton Abbey house and family, it was amazing being transported back to a very different time.

And then there was Hampton Court. I wish I had another couple hours here as I didn’t see all the things I wanted. While actually less impressive than Blenheim on the onset it was built 200 years before and was the seat of the Tudor kings. It was also central to the era of my fav CW tv show, Reign! #NoShame #LongLiveQueenMary #YesIKnowSheDied500YearsAgo #CantWaitForScotland

But in all seriousness the palace was immense. I got lost even with all the signs they have posted everywhere. And the gardens were unbelievable. The exhibits were also well done and the quality of the guides and staff top notch. Kitchen demonstrations, performances, era relevant games available to learn and play, it was awesome. I’m hoping to return one day!

Ok, longer post than I intended but I do have to mention that over the last two days I learned I am just as terrible with public transportation as I have ever been (turns out this isn’t all on Tommy) and I’m still terrified of situations where I don’t know the protocol. I thought I had gotten over that in NYC but it just turns out I got used to that city and now I have to get used to another.

Anyway, mom and Lolo showed up this afternoon and I am so excited to explore the country with them!

Already having a great time! Cheers!

Lillie KooiJuly 17, 2018