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Sinterklaas is Hier
Every once in a year around from 17 November to 5 December is the happiest time for kids all around the Netherlands. Do you know why??? It's Sinterklaas (Sint Nicolaas, Saint Nicholas), you might be questioning why so early, it's not even Christmas yet. Well, Sinterklaas in NL is not Santa Claus (I mean the fat man with a red suit). Let me tell you a little bit about Sinterklaas tradition in NL. Unlike Santa Claus with the magic sleigh and flying reindeer. Sinterklaas sail to NL with a steamboat from Spain (altough originally Sinterklaas came from Turkey). I'm not gonna tell you a lot about the history of Sinterklaas, because you can just read it in wikipedia. I'm just gonna tell you my experience celebrating Sinterklaas day in NL on 2012. Okay back to Sinterklaas tradition, usually around 16-17 November (depends on when the weekend is), Sinterklaas comes to a city in NL on a boat, with zwarte pieten (his helper) who carries bags full of chocolate, kruidnoten, pepernoten, and candies, and they will give it to the kids (and the adults as well)
Me and Zwarte Piet
Sinterklaas and The Kids
Goodstuff from Zwarte Piet
Sinterklaas in Stoomboot
Is that all? of course not, I told you it's the happiest time for kids, after sinterklaas arrived (Sinterklaas intocht) there are series of little presents that they will get, usually it's a small stuff (not in size, but not the "big thing" yet) like chocolate, candies, or tiny toys.. but you don't get the present just like that, there's some stuff you need to do first before you get the present. First of all, you have to make a drawing for sinterklaas (tekening voor sinterklaas), and then you have to put your shoes in front of fire place and put the drawing inside, and then sing one of the sinterklaas song. If you well behave, you will get a nice present, just like the song said "wie zoet is krijg lekkers, wie stout is de roe" (the nice one will get something nice, and the naughty one will get a spank)
Step 1 A Drawing
Step 2&3 Sing A Song after you put the shoes
Step 4: Iets lekkers als je zoet bent
When I was a little in Indonesia we also have the Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet, but Zwarte Piet was really scary, he carries a bag so he can put a naughty kid inside and then throw them into the sea. Apparently that story is too scary for kids, so now they only have the "Good Piet". If you're naughty Sinterklaas will only take you back to Spain with him (Oh I'm sooo gonna be naughty for this)
Disneyland, where every kids dream become reality (and mine too) and where you can meet your favorite Disney characters or the princess. Since I live in NL, I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to visit one of Disneyland Park in Paris. I found a very good deal from MilotReizen , for 67.50euro (I was 25 back then) you get a retour bus ride and entrance to one of Disney Park of your choice (Theme Park or The Studio), and of course I chose the Theme Park. The bus left on friday around midnight from Dordrecht (It has several stop like in Rotterdam and DenHaag). We took the last train to Dordrecht, and yeah of course as an AuPair with limited budget we prepared some food before we left, so we have full meal, from breakfast until dinner for the next day, so we won't be starving. It took about 6-7 hours bus ride, we arrived around 8ish in Paris, and we have to wait until the park is open, but meanwhile you can freshened up yourself in the toilet, because the bus will park close to...
It's been a while since the last time I updated this blog. This time I want to share about my trip to Banyuwangi , East Java. The Regency of Banyuwangi is located at the easternmost end of the Indonesian island of Java. It serves as a port between Java and the island of Bali. Banyuwangi is separated by Strait of Bali from Bali. Why Banyuwangi? I know it's not one of the main tourist destination, but apparently it has a lot to offer, i t is surrounded by mountains and forests to the west; by sea to the east and south, and not to mention cheaper accommodation compared to Bali. You can go to Banyuwangi using airplanes, or just like me go to Surabaya first and then drive around 5-6 hours to Banyuwangi. I used tour operator Amazing Banyuwangi for this trip, but apparently they are very unprofessional, they tricked us so we ended up had to pay more for the "All Inclusive Private" trip they offered on the website. Anyway long story short let me tell you about how gorgeous...
After spending a wonderful 2 pampered days in Naples, we continue our journey to Rome. There's a saying "Many roads lead to Rome". Yeah, never occur in my mind that I finally step my feet in Rome, the land of love, capital city of Italy, one of the oldest city in Europe. We take an early train from Napoli, we booked the ticket early and pay 9 euro for it. Giovanni called a taxi for us, to bring us to the train station. We paid 10 euro for the cab fare. It took only an hour and 10 minutes to get to Rome. Day 7 - When in Rome We arrived in Rome at 07.50, the sun is still sleeping, the wind blows the coldness of morning. We dragged our suitcase to our one last stop before we continue to explore other country (or going back to, for Mariella). We stayed in GardenRome hostel (18.50euro/night/person). I had a 5 bed female dorm, with ensuite bathroom. Gardenrome hostel is an apartment that transformed into hostel. There are 3 rooms in this hostel, 4 bed dorm and 5 bed dorm, t...
