Apenheul!!

Have you ever wondered about animals in a Zoo? Do they have enough space? Do they have enough food and water? Yesterday when we arrived at the Apenheul, Tam was amazed at the park for these monkeys. This park was located within a forest and each different type of monkey had a huge grass area to run, play, eat and drink. Some of the monkeys were even able to WALK FREELY within the park and because they walk free we needed a MONKEY PROOF BAG. Don't worry they can't run away as there are fences with plastic sheeting at the top and there is 4 meters between the rest of the forest so they monkeys stay within the park. When we first walked into the park we were welcomed by the cutest and tiniest Squirrel Monkeys. After we continued pass the Howler Monkeys which can range in size from 22 to 36 inches. Then we walked to the Lemurs and watched them being fed. Patrick and Tam had a Mama and Baby Lemur only an arm lengths away from us!! All of the lemurs come from Madagascar. It was the most amazing thing ever!! Then we stopped for a bite to eat and went to watch the Gorillas be fed. What a view! There were 14 gorillas in the area and 7 of those were kids; 3 of them being cute adorable babies! The gorillas eat 70kg of vegetable/day. Also a male adult becomes a silver-back after 15 years of age. The males can still double their weight after turning 15. Their silver-back, Jambo, is 18 years old and weights 200kg of pure muscle. So Patrick is going to see if he can eat 5kg of food every day as that is how much each gorilla averages a day. Who thinks he can do it? One of the fascinating stories was one of the females was going to give birth. She was starting her contractions but no baby came out so they rushed her to the Lukas Hospital in Apeldoorn. They grabbed a vacuum to extract the baby out and after the baby was born they named him Lukas. After we continued onto the Orangutans where we learnt that full grown adults can have an arm span of 2.5 meters! Patrick's arm span is 1.85 meters and Tam's is 1.61 meters.

Tam= 1.61m

Patrick=1.85m
We also pretended to be monkeys on the rope outside the Orangutan area. After the Orangutans the Nasenaffen Monkeys came on our path with their big noses. The Barbary Macaques area was closed so we continued to see the Gorillas inside their cave. It was funny to see that Moms just steal food from the babies mouths. Its sad but they have to learn to eat fast! When we got to the Gibbons the park was closing so we were not allowed to see anymore monkeys as there were signs that said "De Apen gaan slapen" (The monkeys are going to sleep.) We stopped at the souvenir shop so Tam could buy a postcard to put in our scrapbook when we get back to Canada. When we came out Adri asked Patrick " Did you bring the right monkey with you?" As Tam gets into the monkey pose and made a monkey noise. Patrick said "I sure did!" After Monique wanted to show Tam the Wild Boars so we walked to the area where the Wild Boars were kept. Tam's first words out of her mouth, "When they're young they look so cute, when they grow up they sure are UGLY." The only thing Patrick thought was that they taste amazing as we tasted wild boar in Faro, Portugal. We continued back to the car where Monique let Tam drive the 21kms back; it was a little rough at the start especially when Tam stalled out at the lights. But once she got going she did an amazing job! What an amazing day! Today's rating 15/10!
Love From,
P&T in Apenheul, Apeldoorn, Holland

Last couple of days in Deventer

Yesterday Patrick went fishing with Dennis yesterday and they caught a big karp! While Tam stayed with Angelique and visited and Tam helped Angelique out around the house. Tam also ventured to Colin's school by herself by the bike to get Colin after a day of school. She didn't get lost so she was very proud of herself. After supper with the Bruin family we went out to enjoy a game of European football.
    Today was a very exciting day for us as we could finally On-line Check In for our flight to Dublin! Which means there is 14 days until we fly into Dublin and 19 days until Tam's Mom lands in Dublin too! It is getting so close and one little girl is getting very excited to see her Mom! It will be an amazing 2 weeks with Mama Sandy! We cannot wait!!
     After we taught Dennis how to play 21, our favorite game because it has to do with BASKETBALL! Patrick won two games and Dennis won one and Tam well she was practicing :) Today Patrick went with Dennis to help a friend move a couch while Tam stayed to help Angelique. When Patrick came at the house of Dennis and Angelique's friend, their neighbor came to help and the funny thing is that his name was Patrick too. Even creepier the name of his girlfriend was Tamara! Patrick really had to shake himself up because you don't really hear of that too often. Its good they didn't look like us :) They moved the couch up and brought Dennis and Angelique's old couch down. Patrick and Patrick had to wait for Dennis because he was putting the couch together so P&P sat outside on the couch enjoying the sun. What an amazing time. While Dennis and Patrick were gone, Tam and Angelique made supper and Tam learned how to make speklappen. It sure was delicious! After supper Dennis, Colin and Patrick went outside to play European football (soccer) with some neighbors in the neighborhood. Tam and Angelique joined them later with Choplin, their puppy. Dennis let Tam drive on the way home and her driving is impecable, she's starting to drive like a professional! Patrick is super proud of her! What an amazing day we had!

 Patrick and Dennis playing 21

Choplin, DAC's puppy

Tam, Professional Driver

Love From
P&T in Deventer, Holland

The Weekend's Events

Yesterday was a very exciting day for Tam as Dennis let her drive his car and she started out rough as she was driving a manual and had to get use to the narrow roads. But we all made it through, like Tam told Colin "Nobody died, yeah!" We enjoyed homemade hamburgers made by Tam with Dennis, Angelique and Colin. After supper we were listening to country music and Dennis had a CD for Tam, so Dennis and Tam went to DAC's home to go get the CD. Tam drove them of course and did much better the 2nd time since she was more comfortable. After supper we went to Geert-Jan's to see his place and have a visit. We enjoyed a couple of drinks and watched the movie "The Hangover." We got back home around 1:30am but had an amazing evening!
    Now today is a special day as we have a Mama who is celebrating a BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday to this very special lady. We love you and hope you have a fantastic day!
     Today we were also suppose to go to the Apenheul with Adri and Monique but the weather isn't very nice in Deventer. Its windy and raining so we decided it wouldn't be a good day to go as the little monkeys wouldn't be out. So we will keep that in our mind when the weather co-operates with us and will go on a better day.
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!
Love From,
P&T in Deventer, Holland

Belgium Chocolate and Beer!

After an amazing 4 days in Belgium we made it back to Deventer safe and sound and wet as we got caught in a thunderstorm on our way to the train station.
   But to start off on our adventure to Antwerpen, Belgium on June 18, 2012. We boarded the train at 11:44am to head to Roosendaal to transfer onto another train to Antwerpen. We arrived in Antwerpen Centraal Station at 3:30pm. We ventured around Antwerpen as Anneke was working until 6:00pm. We walked down by the pedestrian shopping mall and stepped into a store where the famous chocolatier, Dominique Persoone (Shock-o-latier) made large figures and even a chocolate dress for Miss Belgium. His work was absolutely breath-taking and we even saw a worker creating a character from Spongebob Square Pants. After we walked to Anneke and Stefaan's home where they let us stay for 3 nights. Anneke made a delicious spaghetti supper for all of us and then we enjoyed each other's company outside underneath a heater. :) 
    On June 19, 2012 we started our day by jumping on the train to Brugge, Belgium. We got in Brugge around 12:30pm. We stopped at a grocery store to buy some food and then carried on our walk through the city. We saw the beautiful churches and the market square. We saw the St. John's Hospital that is one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe and it is absolutely beautiful. After we continued towards "De Halve Maan Brewery" (The Half Moon Brewery) where we enjoyed a 45 minute tour of a 6 generation family run brewery and enjoyed one of their unfiltered prize winning beers. During the tour we went into this room to look at their small collection of beer glasses. FACT: Belgium has 1500 different beers and EACH beer has its own glass! That's a lot of beer glasses! After we wanted to go to the Chocolate Museum but we got there just as it was closing at 5pm. But Tam will be adding that to her list of return to Europe as she really wanted to go and see the history of chocolate. Yum :) So we continued down the main street towards the train station and made a stop at Choco-holic to buy some bon-bons since Anneke adviced us that we had to try the chocolate. Well that was some delicious tasting advice!
    On June 20, 2012 we toured around Antwerpen and we used the bikes to get to Het Steen Castle. Now that was an experience for Tam since she hasn't rode a bike in years. But we made it! Tam trailing behind Patrick. After we walked through the castle we continued towards Grote Markt (Large Market) and saw the beautiful Catherdral of Our Lady! What a magnificent building! We continued on our walk pass the Fashion Museum, Ruben's House, Museo and Diamond Lane! Now that is a lot of diamonds on one street and EXPENSIVE! We then walked back to Anneke and Stefaan's as we were going Geocaching with Anneke in a nice neighborhood of Antwerpen. This neighborhood used to be the poorest neighborhood and was home to many artists that spruced the neighborhood up. Now the neighborhood is one of the most expensive areas to live in. The series of questions we had to find took us on a lovely walk around this neighborhood and at the end point we stopped to enjoy a "bolleke" and figure out the final co-ordinates to find the geocache. The geocache was hidden in a "bush" but Tam didn't realize that they were brandnetels and Tam was wearing shorts. So when she came out her legs were starting to develop some tiny bumps and were very itchy and Anneke developed some on her arms as she was wearing pants. So unfortunately we had to give up on the geocache. After we headed to a restaurant where we enjoyed supper with Anneke and Stefaan and got to enjoy some typical Belgium food. After we went home to enjoy a nice cup of tea or coffee outside under the heater and visited until 12:30am.
     Yesterday we were up at 7:30am as Stefaan and Anneke both had to work and we wanted to say goodbye and thank you for the amazing time in Antwerpen and opening their home to us. Anneke and Stefaan, thank you so much for the amazing time in your home. We thoroughly enjoyed the visits and getting to know you both. We had a fantastic time. After we got up and started our day as we were headed to Wijchen to enjoy a barbecue with Jesse and his family. We departed from Antwerpen at 1:00pm as we made a tour down the Pedestrian Shopping Mall to pick up some treats before heading to the barbecue. We were on the train arriving in Den Bosch when Jesse texted us saying he was arriving into Den Bosch also. We called Jesse and said we were on the same train as him so we continued onto Wijchen together. It was very nice to meet Cor, Hanneke, Paul and Jesse's girlfriend Lobke. It was an amazing evening with a dutch barbecue and an fantastic visit. Thank you for the great night! As we walked to the train station to head back to Deventer we got caught in a rainstorm and by the time we reached the train station we were soaked to the bone and had an 1.5hour ride on the train. Monique was waiting for us when we arrived and we made it home around 10:50pm. What an amazing experience in Belgium!

 Antwerpen Centraal Station

 Dominique Persoone, famous chocolatier

Patty in front of Brewery sign

Love From,

P&T in Antwerpen, Belgium

Antwerpen, Belgium

Who thought that I could ever be excited to travel? Whoever thought I could be nervous like going to your first day of school? I have always been a "home-body" and really enjoyed being at home. But this morning I was wide awake at 5am and there was no way I was going back to sleep. I had a huge sense of excitement and thrill that we are going to a new country today. As I creep out of our room, I pack and get everything ready for our departure at 11:44am so Patrick can sleep a little longer today. :) I am very excited to go to Belgium and taste some of the best chocolate in the world. Good thing we are going to walk around Antwerpen so I can lose the calories I will be eating. LOL! We are very excited to be staying with Anneke, a friend and old colleague of Yvonne's who will tell us the highlights of Antwerpen and Brugge as that is one of the other places we would like to visit while we are in Belgium. We will be staying in Belgium until Thursday and hopefully the weather will participate for us as of right now we are having a thunderstorm and a good rain :( Here's to a new experience and talk to you all in a couple days!
Love From,
Tam in Deventer, Holland
and Patty too but he's sleeping :)

Happy Father's Day and of course Happy Grandpa's Day Too!

Today we headed to Twello to enjoy Father's Day with Opa and Oma so we called it Grandpa's Day too! We made a special treat for Opa that we will make for our Dad's when we come home: Lemon Meringue Pie!! It was very delicious, Patrick had a good time sampling it while we were making it last night :)

Our Lemon Meringue Pies we Made

Of course when we arrived at Oma and Opa's we were very excited to see them as they were to see us. But most of all Tam's little boyfriend Nick had to come over and tell her that his bracelet was broken and he needed another one! And also to show us his new bike that he got on Wednesday. What a cute kid! We sat outside and enjoyed a tea or coffee and piece of pie with Hans, Annette, Opa, Oma, Nick, Patrick and Tam. Annette noticed that Nick was smitten by Tam and asked Nick "Denk je dat Tam mooi is?" (Do you think Tam is pretty?) Nick answered "Ja" (Yes) with the cutest little smile ever! It really made Tam's day. What a great day it was to be celebrating Father's and Grandpa's Day. We also enjoyed a delicious supper with Marcel and had a very lovely visit. Thank you Opa and Oma for a wonderful day!

   We could not be with our Dad's today but we wanted to say Thank You. Thank you helping us achieve our dreams, being there in hard times and just being you. Tam found a poem that she wanted to share with both of you, Frank and Keith! Happy Father's Day! We love you both very much!

Happy Father's Day to the special men in our lives!

Love From,

P&T in Twello, Holland

A Day of Celebration

Today we headed to Har and Karin's to celebrate Tamara's birthday, she was turning 15 years old. As our gift to Tamara we wrote her 15 Pieces of Advice for Life in English, Tim Tam made her a friendship bracelet and we gave her a little something extra. It was nice to have almost all the family there; Monique & Adri, Dennis, Angelique & Colin, Patrick & Tim Tam and of course Har, Karin, Rogier, and the Birthday Girl Tamara. We enjoyed some delicious pie and coffee and tea before heading out with the children to the park to play a game of "Piggy in the Middle." After almost everyone left from Tamara's party, Tim Tam wanted to get a family picture to post on the blog for Mama Yvonne and Papa Frank. So they can see all the family and how big everyone is getting. :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAMARA! Thank you for the invite!

(Back row left to right) Har, Rogier, Patrick, Adri, Dennis

(Front row left to right) Karin, Tamara, Tim Tam, Angelique, Colin, Monique

After the birthday party, Adri, Monique, Dennis, Angelique, Colin, Patrick and Tam went out to find some geocaches. We found 3 geocaches that were in a series of caches that Monique and Adri started last weekend and we all helped them complete it! Good job Team Ernie! We came home and Monique made us Witlof for supper which Tam had for the first time and Patrick tried it again after not eating it for a long time. We made a special treat for Opa tomorrow for Grandpa's Day and for Keith, Tam's Dad and Frank, Patrick's Dad but they will get theirs when we get home! What a busy but wonderful day!

 Dennis, Colin, Patrick & Monique

 Colin found a Geocache

The witlof we enjoyed at supper. Eet smakelijk!

Love From,

P&T in Deventer, Holland