Deb & Dean's European adventure

A visit to the Van Gogh museum was a fantastic way to start the Amsterdam visit, we managed to get tickets for Wednesday 28/6. I have always loved the artists later more colorful works, and up close it is incredible how Vincent used contrasting colors to make the colors so vibrant in the artworks.  Vincent’s last painting above  There were other artists displayed who were significant in Van Gogh’s life. My favorite the Monet above  On Thursday a visit to Rijksmuseum- unable to describe the range of art in this museum. It would take many days to see everything in this museum. Master Rembrandt being the highlight. The Night Watchmen is currently being scanned for vibrations so this 400 year old masterpiece can be preserved for the future.   

  Netherlands  🇳🇱  our next stop catching up with Deb & Lynda’s relations the Weerdenburg’s. Lynda debs sister is in town with her 2 girls Chloe  & Jesse so we hired a car as public transport is very expensive in Holland. Deb & I spent Wednesday 28th at the Van Gogh Museum then went out with Dutch family relatives for tea. Today meet up with Tante Riet Debbie’s father’s aunt from his Mothers side of the family and was a very emotional time as we remembered Debs dad family leaving Holland to start a new life in Australia back in 1959. Imagine leaving your life to start a new one with 6 children under 13 years old moving to the other side of the world. I remember Gerard Debbie’s grandfather and Grandmother as hard working family and as I never meet Debs dad but stories of him as a strong hard worker made me think of what they made the most of their Opportunities that Australia had given them. Van der Kraan family

Traveled by train via the coast 4 hours south from Barcelona on Friday 23rd staying in an Airbnb right in the heart of Valencia city.  Valencia is a lot nicer city than Barcelona as less traffic in the inner part of the city with less motorists and more foot traffic. The beautiful old buildings and a thousands of places to eat out makes it a destination for tourists from around the world. Under our Airbnb a garage full of old cars 🤩 Spent 4 days here exploring the city and sights when we fly to Amsterdam to visit Debs dads family. Historical buildings in the main city The arts centre The markets were fabulous with so much delicious and interesting foods    A bike ride today took us to the fabulous beaches of Valencia where I had a swim in the warm Mediterranean Sea. We rode through Turia park and along the Promenade of La Malvarrosa beach and the waterfront.  Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia We visited the main cathedral in Valencia  And saw th