Dordrecht favourites

Fritte with mayonnaise, Hema rookworst with mustard, market kibbeling with more mayonnaise, apple meringue with cream AND ice cream....these are just some of the treats that we strongly associate with Dordrecht and have gobbled up today, in a nostalgic, perambulating feast.

Oh, and a trip to JanGert kaasboer for some aged farm cheese and some truffled cheese. The shopkeeper has chunks to nibble on alongside huge rounds and like excited mice, we made our way around the shop tasting everything. 

Under Rich's expert eye, we gathered a selection of Trappist beers,  doubels and triples with names like St Bernadus, Chimay and Leffe. These gave Trappist monks in the 15th century a drink that was safer than the water, but only just. Drink two and you can recreate all the sensations of jet lag.

Count down....4 weeks til departure

A grand tour of sorts is imminent for the O'Brien-Maas 'es.

We four plus Rich will set off in late November for Europe, returning in the new year via Dubai. 

Rich's company is a delight for me - Matt travelled with us in 2010, but poor Rich was doing final exams at uni and couldn't join us. It felt tough that he couldn't come then and right that he's in out party this time! Three years on, time as a FIFO geologist for FMG and the first year of a masters in economics under his belt, he is able and willing. The delights of Dordrecht and the pointy end of a Mediterranean cruise await!

We will fly from Sydney via Bangkok and Dubai to Schipol Amsterdam...make our way dazed to Dordrecht for family and Sinterklaas. Then on to Germany and Coblentz' Christmas markets. 

From there to Strasbourg, then to Nice (with trips to Cannes and Monaco) and a return to magnificent Genoa, home of pesto, with its world heritage streetscapes, dark alleys, Porto Antico, hookers and piazza.

We'll  board the Splendida, where Rich and Hugh will share butler and cabin, and head west to circle the Mediterranean. Christmas aboard in Tunisia!!

From there, we'll say goodbye to Rich in Milan as he sets off for oz and we for Barcelona for a taste of Catalan delicacies and the glory of Gaudi.

Then on to Dubai to visit Ian and Jodie and check out this amazing place before flying home.

And Timmy will visit his Oma and Opa!