The adventures of the red van: Netherlands

Arrive in Amsterdam Paul jetlagged, Lou is the rock! First impressions bikes, lots and lots of bikes. Lou is the winner of spot the first windmill competition. Already have a few lists 1. Must eat....Fries, pancakes, pastries. 2. Must see... Anne frank house, red-light district, Vondelpark and best to do all of this....on a bike! Bikes have no gears but who needs em' it's completely flat here. Vondelpark is great however no toilets (first experience paying to use a toilet that’s ridiculous! Anne Frank house very interesting.

Went for a walk and found we have accidently stumbled into red-light district, first lady we saw was rather plump lady smiling very seductively at us (actually Paul). Don't want to stare but kinda the point really! Quick nana nap turned into 13hour sleep oops. Head off to pick up our van, Arrive at Donna’s (house what on earth.... Vans everywhere, junk everywhere, filth everywhere, Flash her dog (Sam and cc's old dog) greets us, no-one else does. The deal is, find your way thru rubbish to her house, let yourself in and chat to everyone until someone fills you in on the procedure.

It turns out to be the Perfect day to arrive because 4 Aussies and 3 kiwis dropping off vans from summer adventures so they give us lots of hints, lots of free equipment and everyone seems stoked with their travels!

We manage to grab 2 bikes from Donnas for a super cheap price, and reluctantly take a porta potti onboard. After an entire day of Cleaning a Trip to Ikea, A GPS (top of everyones’ list of what to buy) and a new stereo purchased we are set.

Van is a 1991 VW Carthego, likes 80 km, noisy at 100km but LOVES 90-95km. Most of the highways are 130km/h so we just cruise along in the slow lane.

We visited Madurodam, which is miniaturised version of Amsterdam, hilarious concept and makes for some great photos. Went to Gouda home of Gouda cheese of course however not as much cheese as you’d think, lovely man in cheese shop says Australia Gouda is Fake! Tastes like plastic apparently.

Things we learnt so far….

Whenever you can pee-do (as a physio I strongly disagree with this statement as it is bad for pelvic floor function however as a female in a campervan I’m torn).
Turn the gas off at night it’s a health hazard.
Van socks do not leave the van
Fridge ratio should always be 50% beer 50%other
Nothing happens until at least 10am
One person at a time to get dressed in morning.
It is possible to sleep for 12 hours every day.
Tom toms can save a marriage!