During my six years living in Europe, I traveled several times to Paris. During those trips I was either working or visiting friends. I had never been on a romantic trip to Paris until I met the Dutchman last year. Last year, two weeks before leaving Brussels for good, we hopped on the Thalys (the high-speed train) to Paris for a few days. The trip was on a whim, as I was leaving soon and we had only been dating for a month. One day he said, “we should go to Paris” and given my love for travel, I jumped at the idea. We spent 2 days walking the streets of Paris, sharing an ice cream cone at one of the gardens in Versailles, kissing by the Eiffel Tower, and getting to know one another over tea at a café near Centre Pompidou. The day we headed back to Belgium, the city was under siege by torrential rains. We tried the metro, then a cab trying to make it to the station on time to no avail. It was the last train of the day. I had a race to run the early the next morning. It was our first crisis together and although a little nervous, we were going through the options. I recall saying “maybe the train is delayed”, he just brushed off my theory. As we rushed to the platform, there it was: the Paris to Brussels train was late! We both hugged and said “I love you” for the first time. For that, Paris Nord will always have a special place in my heart.


Notre Dame from the Seine….

Fast forward 9 months later, and we find ourselves back on the Thalys to Paris. Just a short stop on my summer Eurotrip, but it was an experience to go back to one of the places where our story started to take shape. We stayed at Mama Shelter, a cute boutique hotel near Pere Lachaise. I love staying in residential neighborhoods, away from the tourists where you get a feel how the locals live. The hotel has small quirks like superhero masks as lampshades and black walls. We began our stay with a lovely dinner at L’Ange Gardien, a little bistro close to the hotel. Thanks to the unusually hot weather, we sat outside, studying the people walking by as we enjoyed the white wine, scallops, and duck. The lovely dinner set the stage for a charming 48 hours in the city of light.


All you need in life: Champagne and Cheese

The following morning we went for a run, crossing the 11th arrondissement, through Bastille until making it to the Seine. After our run, we went to a boat cafe, overlooking the Notre Dame. It was a beautiful and peaceful scene. That afternoon, we did what most lovebirds do in Paris, placed a lock at the Pont de l’Archevêché. We bought a simple Master lock and borrowed the shopkeeper’s sharpie to write our names and the dates. As we placed our lock, I couldn’t help to get a little emotional as we affirmed our love on the bridge. Afterwards, we went to the riverbank nearby to have a picnic with champagne, truffled brie, and crackers. There we stayed for hours, admiring the boats sailing across the river and taking in the sunset.



The locks of the Pont de l’Archevêché

Our last day, we walked through the Pere Lachaise cemetery to catch our metro. We admired the ancient tombs, some who have not been taken care of in centuries. It was still early in the morning and not that many tourists. There was something very peaceful about the place: the scent of the moss, birds singing, and seeing a piece of history of people who had influence in making Paris one of the most beautiful and intriguing cities in the world. We embarked on this trip with no agenda, just walk through the city and take in the little things which make it so special. This time, both the train and us were on time. We boarded with new memories and many new ideas for our future.

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View of Lady Elliot from Above

When we arrived to Hervey Bay, a sleepy beach town in the Sunshine Coast, we were welcomed with warm weather and salty sea breeze. Even warmer was the welcome we received from Diane, our hostess at Chamomile Bed and Breakfast. From all the places we stayed in Australia, we felt the most at home there. It was like staying in the lovely home of a relative you actually like. Thankfully, it is the beginning of the fall season down under, making the area very quiet and having the B&B all to ourselves. Diane or as we started calling her, Auntie Di, would make us omelets with eggs and chives from her backyard. Every morning, we had breakfast on the terrace, being serenaded by the colorful birds which surrounded the house.
The following day, we took a small plane to Lady Elliot Island. I will try to articulate with words the beauty of this place, but do not think I can do it justice. It’s tiny island, propped by the Great Barrier Reef, in the middle of nowhere, no mainland in sight. After a 50 minute flight, we approached the island. From above, we can witness the reefs, jumping fish, and larger than life manta rays. When we landed, I felt as we had arrived in fantasy island, except Tatu was not there to welcome us. After the formalities of the island hosts, we took a glass bottom boat to snorkel around the reef. We were overwhelmed by the beauty we encountered below. Larger than life manta rays, small (thankfully) sharks, and colorful fish inhabited this glorious underwater world. Although Lady Elliot is small and simple, it reminded us of how large this earth really is. Being in a place so remote, surrounded by the vastness of the ocean, reminded me of how sometimes I think I’ve seen enough when there is so much more in this world be in awe of.


Beauty from the Reef

 Our last day in the Sunshine Coast was an active one. We began our day renting paddle boards at Enzo’s on the Beach. Enzo’s is a cafe on the beach with a perfect view. The water was beautifully calm and the perfect early fall water temperature made it ideal for SUP. Perfect for the dutchman as it was his first time paddle boarding. Thankfully the warm water made his falls less painful!

Discovering the Reef

We concluded our day with a run along the bay. There is a long boardwalk with a great sunset view of the beach which stretches around six miles. Along our run we discovered the place where we would have the most decadent meal of our trip: Coast. As we ran by, the place stood out. While most of the restaurants in the area are very basic, Coast had a warm modern design. Under the impression it was low season, we did not make a reservation. The hour wait was a blessing in disguise as we were able to witness the making of one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had: a gin, lime, and cucumber concoction that was simply unforgettable. Our hostess walked us through the menu, sourced from local farmers. We were sold on the pork. Being Puertorican, I know my pork. I have to say this was one of the most moist and delectable pieces of pork I have ever had. The Korean-inspired side dishes were the perfect compliment.

Paddling on Hervey Bay

Our last day, we headed back to Brisbane where we would fly back to Melbourne in order to fly back to our respective homes. Then, we realized we were 48 hours away from saying our so longs and return to counting the days for our next encounter. My heart started to become heavy, but consoled by the fact that these two weeks were magical. We were able to rediscover a country we had both seen before, create new memories, and most significant, fall deeper in love. For that Australia will always be in my heart.

The Dutchman and Repatriate as Drinks

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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My Souvenir from Holland: Delicious Cheese!

The beach of Scheveningen

The second day in the city, the universe took pity on me and the weather improved to have a walk around Den Haag.  The city seems to have a very old soul, with its stately buildings and beautiful embassy homes.  It was a peaceful walk by the hofvijver (a small pond), with a view of the Parliament Building, the Binnenhof.  As we walk, we witness contrasting Dutch scenes.  On one bench there is an older Dutch gentleman, which a dark overcoat, elegant black leather shoes, and a pristine bicycle parked next to him as he reads his newspaper.  On another bench there is a group of teenagers of all races rolling up a joint.  Although contrasting, it all seemed to fit so perfectly in that precise moment.  We ended the afternoon with coffee and Dutch apple cake at Cafe Dudok, a café with an open space filled with a mix crowd of bureaucrats, students, and businessmen.  

Coffee Time at Dudok

My last full day in The Netherlands, we met friends in Rotterdam.  We had brunch at Hotel New York, where a dear friend of mine had her first date with her husband and subsequently married there.  The hotel is located on the Wilhelminakade on the river Maas, and on this particular sunny day it had a beautiful view of the Erasmus Bridge.  When someone suggests “hotel brunch”  it always intimidates me as it ends up being ridiculously expensive.  I was happy to find out the prices were reasonable, the view is gorgeous, and the interior design of the restaurant transports you to another era.  In between Limburg patés and prosecco, we toasted to life and love.  

Love from the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam

I concluded my visit with a Indonesian dinner in Den Haag at Garoeda, a fixture in the city as it has been there for 64 years.  Over our rice plates, we went over the highlights of the last four days. After a short yet abundant trip, I was headed back to DC with a heavy heart for physically leaving the person I love.  With my suitcase filled with cheese, stroopwafels,  Delft Blue mugs, and lovely memories, I left knowing there will be more memories made in this country. 

A Scene from Den Haag

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