Scotland 21 - 26 March

Since young, I'v always been curious about what's like to be in West Kilbride,Scotland and how Annie's house is like, well finally it came true and it's beautiful place. The home has a "charm" to it.. View from Sam's bedroom.. Portencross Castle

HDR photo but not a good one.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

The royal mile leading to Edinburgh castle.

St Andrews

St Andrews "The Home of Golf" we did the pilgrimage!

The Old Course looking into hole #1 with the famous bridge

Royal and Ancient Clubhouse

Loch Lomond

Cute and funny boy

My favourite scenery shot, surreal HDR photo.

Double click to expand panorama shot. 3 frames combined into 1.

Took this when I noticed the water was reflecting the blue skies, such a serene place Loch Lomond is.

Feeding the swans and ducks by the dock.

We were told only Royals and Slovaks eat the swans..

Loch Lomond is a freshwater loch..the water is freeezing.

Drovers Inn aka Stagger Inn..great old place with many stuffed animals, the star attraction is the Haggis creature and Haggis the food.

Enjoying ourselves with the Haggis..very nice!

This was the only stout I've ever drank in my life...but I must say it was very nice!

I'll take on the wolf....

Settling down after very enjoyable trip..

Sunset at Law Hill, Ian's childhood playground and location of his secret tunnel.

Thank you McClure and Mackies !

Love Ed& Vin

Amsterdam 19 - 21 March

Arrived Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Saturday morning and took a connecting train Central Station where I was to meet Vin who was travelling from Delft after a week's training. Central Station was not that big but efficient. While waiting for Vin I took this picture of the multistorey bicycle park. It's the most common mode of transport for the locals, no wonder they are so fit and in shape!

Our nearly 20 euros breakfast at this cozy cafe. Not the same as their infamous coffee house which serves mainly mariuana. Double eggs, bacon, toast not shown here.

The details they put on their buildings dating is amazing. Every building has some artistry in them.

Giant pipe organ in the ancient Old Kerk ( Church). Again the details in the supporting column.

Dam Square monument.

De Papegaii hidden church when the times catholics were prosecuted by the protestants.

Bloomenmarkt flower market, the place for cheaper souvenirs and cheese!

Begijnhof nun's village.

Kalverstraat.

Canal cruise, part of our Iamsterdam visitors 2 day pass which includes our highlight, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum.

Dinner at one of the famous pan cake cafes. Dutch speciality pancakes, ala roti canai, but softer with bacon and other toppings. Yummy!

Spectacular Rijksmuseum. No photos can be taken inside, the Rembrandts and other Dutch master's painting upclose (1 feet away) leaves us speechless. 16xx paintings so real life and details just like a photo. Some even you can see 3D effect, that's how good they were.

Note the house's age spotted during the canal cruise. The buildings typically built on wooden piles into the peat soil about 10 to 15 metres to reach sand layer. Some of them are tilting or leaning into neighbouring houses.

Bridges in a row..

Joordan, west of amsterdam.

Singel canal, taken in the early morning with no traffic. Our Rembrandt Hotel is one with blue canopy after the first lamp post at bottom left.

At Van Gogh museum, located about 100m away from Rijksmuseum.

Cobra cafe at museumplein where we had lunch. So nice to bask in the sun, temperature despite the sun is about 12 degrees.

Dam Square in the early morning. HDR photo.

At Vondel Park near the museums, southwest of Amsterdam.

Old Church near Red Light district.