Bolo de Arroz at Schiphol Airport

Yesterday, at Schiphol Airport, in Amsterdam, on my way to Den Haag, I had 8 minutes available to drink a coffee. I thought about Starbucks but soon I changed my mind when I saw its very long queue.
Next to Starbucks is Per-Tutti. No queue. Let's go then!
Can you imagine my surprise and happyness when I saw they were selling Bolo de Arroz (Portuguese rice muffin)?!!

From Coisas Minhas

Do you see the portuguese flag? Oh, I was so excited! I asked for one, of course! Ah, "Receita Portuguesa" means "Portuguese Recipe". ;-)

I just needed to share this! ;-) Lekker!!!

PS: Sorry, the photo is not good as it should, but I was in a hurry.

Public Art in Almere Centrum Train Station

One of the things I love the most in the Netherlands is the Public Art.

From Almere (III)

These photos were taken in Almere Centrum Train Station.

From Almere (III)

In this case, all the colours give such a lifely sfeer to this usually grey place.

From Almere (III)

The author of these paintings is Margriet Maduro. She was born in Aruba in 1961. She began to paint in 1997. Art is for Margriet an important way to communicate, specially because she is deaf. She works mostly with acrylic. Her work's influence is her environment. Aruba is her great inspiration as well as her memories and daily events.

I must say to catch the train now is even more pleasant ;-) Thanks Margriet!

Brabant's Orchestra Demonstration in The Hague

Last Tuesday I went to The Hague, one of my favourite cities of the Netherlands.
On my way back to the Central Station, in the most known square of the city, Het Plein, nearby Mauritshuis and the Parliament, I was surprised with an orchestra performance.

From Haia

From Haia

Soon I realised it was not an usual performance, but a demonstration against the cuts in the North Brabant Culture and Arts budget.

From Haia

("Cultuur Onthoofd" means "Decapitated Culture" or, in Portuguese, " Cultura Decapitada" )

As far as I understood, Brabants Orchestra, one of the top orchestras in The Netherlands, could face some serious problems with the new budget cuts. If you have more information about it, please share it with us.
North Brabant is a province of the Netherlands, located in the south part of the country. Its capital is Hertogen Bosch.

A theatre group from North Brabant was there too, doing some performances and calling the attention to the current situation.

From Haia

The Queens's Commissioner in North Brabant, Wim van de Donk, has given his support to the demonstration as well as Brigitte van Haaften, North Brabant culture deputy.

Let me share with you the videos about it I have found in YouTube.

You will listen Ravel's Bolero (1928) and "Brabant" (2002), a Guus Meeuwis song.





North Brabant is responsable for 20% GDP ( Gross Domestic Product) and 45% of the exportations of the Netherlands as far as I read in the black poster of the demonstration. A protest letter was given to Bas Jan van Bochove, of the House of Commons Culture Comission.

LAi 2010: De Nieuwe Bibliotheek van Almere door concrete architectural a...

This video is about Almere's new library. Do you remember this entry? :-)

Disneyland Paris V

The restaurants where we went and more suggestions to enjoy the Park

We have tryed two restaurants at Disney Park, after our fast food experience on the first day. We noticed that we were spending more money with fast food than with a proper lunch (one hamburger here, a hot dog there, etc).
In my opinion, it's best to have a proper meal. As we could experience, we were more comfortable and energetic. On the other hand, we spent the same money as eating fast food along the day and we didn't have to stop several times to eat something.

At the Frontierland

We had a splendid morning in Frontierland! There you can visit the Phantom Manor! Don't miss it!

After, we went to the Silver Spur Steakhouse, where we enjoyed grilled meat and listened to some piano music. ;-)

This restaurant is located in front of the steamboat moor. Remember Mark Twain? ;-) Well, we did and we went for a trip in the Old Wild West. ;-)

From Eurodisney

At the Adventureland

The second restaurant where we went in Disney Park was the Blue Lagoon. Absolutely fantastic! We enjoyed exotic fish specialities and Creole cooking under the tropical moonlight, right in the heart of one of my favourite attractions, the Pirates of the Caribbean. We went there to lunch in the last day to say goodbye to Disneyland just comme il faut.

From Eurodisney

From Eurodisney

Last suggestions

At the Discoveryland

I also advise you to take a ride in the Star Tours! I liked it so much that I went for two rides! Don't leave the park without trying it! And be sure you do it before your lunch or dinner. ;-)

Before you leave the Park, take a look at the sidewalks in front of the Disney Hotel.
I photographed this one for obvious reasons. We live in Almere. :-) However, I noticed there were different symbols in each stone. Do you know what they mean?

From Eurodisney

I hope you have enjoyed this trip in Disneyland Paris!!! :-)

Stay well!!!

Disneyland Paris IV

At 7 pm it was time for Mickey and his Friends Show.

From Eurodisney

From Eurodisney

A very nice way to end a day full of emotions!

In the afternoon, before our stroll in Alice's Curious Labyrinth, we saw the Queen of Hearts giving an autograph :-)

From Eurodisney

In the morning, we took a photo with Mickey. :-)

From Eurodisney

Some of the attractions were closed like Sleeping Beauty Castle.

A pity that it was not possible to visit it :-(

From Eurodisney

Yet, there is so much to enjoy, like a train trip, for example ;-)

Main Street Station

From Eurodisney

Disneyland Railroad

From Eurodisney

As you already know, we have stayed at Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch. However, we were curious about Disneyland Hotel.

From Eurodisney

So, we went there for a coffee and enjoying the view :-)

From Eurodisney

(to be continued)


Have a nice day!

Disneyland Paris III

The Disneyland Paris attraction I loved the most...:-) it's a small world....

a boat cruise located in the Fantasyland area ...

From Eurodisney

300 brightly costumed dolls representing the children of the world, in a spirit of international unity...

From Eurodisney

singing the attraction's global peace theme: it's a small world (after all)...

From Eurodisney

the boats carry the voyagers as they visit the regions of the world...

From Eurodisney

until the Finale Room with representatives from all the cultures of the world dressed in white versions of their native costumes and singing in English in unison...

a Magical and Lovely message of Hope!!! :-)

Enjoy the video! :-)



it's a world of laughter, a world or tears
its a world of hopes, its a world of fear
theres so much that we share
that its time we're aware
its a small world after all

CHORUS:
its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small world after all
its a small, small world

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small small world

Disneyland Paris II

Disney’s Once Upon a Dream Parade

(and my comments about other Disney Park attractions ;-)

We saw the parade on June, 16 at 5 pm. It was one of the best moments of the day, specially when we saw Mickey and Minnie so in love ;-))

Float 1: Dreams of Imagination

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse stand in the basket of a giant hot air balloon shaped like the sun. They have anchored down on a giant purple crescent moon which sits on the back of the float.

From Eurodisney

From Eurodisney

Float 2: Dreams of Laughter & Fun

This float is a combination of Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio. A line of walking playing cards leads the float, followed by the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts.

I took a photo with her on the next day ;-)

From Eurodisney

From Eurodisney

From Eurodisney

Before the parade, we went for a ride in the Les Voyages de Pinocchio. I strongly recommend it. In this ride, we find all the main characters like Geppetto, the Blue Fairy, the Bad Boys and Pinocchio's friend, Jiminy Cricket.
The story is very well told. I'm sure you will enjoy it!

The Dancers

From Eurodisney

Float 3: Dreams of Friendship

Another giant storybook makes up this view, serving as a divider for the two different themes, Toy Story 2 and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

The Toy Soldiers

From Eurodisney

The Toy Story Cast

From Eurodisney

Winnie the Pooh

From Eurodisney

Float 4: Dreams of Fantasy

This float is made up of Peter Pan and Mary Poppins.

Captain Hook and his crew

From Eurodisney

On our last day, we went on Peter Pan's Flight. It was a wonderful and magical experience! We had a trip that took us from London to the Neverland, flying alongside Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her brothers.
We have travelled among the stars and through all the corners of the Neverland island.
I strongly recommend it!!! Don't miss it!

Mary Poppins

From Eurodisney

Float 5: Dreams of Power

This float features the Disney Villains

From Eurodisney

The Dancers...

From Eurodisney

Float 6: Dreams of Adventure

A giant, old tree makes up this float, which includes characters from The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

From Eurodisney

From Eurodisney

Floats 7-8: Dreams of Romance


Little Mermaid and her Prince

From Eurodisney

Aladdin and Princess Jasmine

From Eurodisney

Princess Tiana

From Eurodisney

Snow White

From Eurodisney

We went to the The Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains attraction in the afternoon and it was a great disapointment. There were missing points in the story like her meeting with the Seven Dwarves, the hunter being sent for her heart or when she eats the poisoned apple. The trip was not so thrilling as it was with Pinocchio or Peter Pan!

The final dancer...

From Eurodisney

We enjoyed this parade very much! Did you like it too?

Enjoy the videos that I found in Youtube! See you!





(to be continued)

Disneyland Paris I

As I promised, the photos of our Spring holidays. Enjoy!

Last month, we went to Eurodisney for 4 sunny days. :-)
A couple weeks before, we had found a very nice offer in Oad Reizen site: one night and one day for free.

From Eurodisney

On May, 15, after a 5 hour car trip, we arrived to Davy Crockett Ranch.

From Eurodisney

In this ranch, we stayed in a bungalow.

From Eurodisney

We could make a BBQ in front of it, if we wished to.

This bungalow had...

a master bedroom,

From Ranch Hotel Davy Crocket

a single bedroom,

From Ranch Hotel Davy Crocket

a living and dining room with kitchenette,

From Ranch Hotel Davy Crocket

From Ranch Hotel Davy Crocket

From Eurodisney

a restroom and a bathroom.

If you would like to stay in this ranch, you should take a car with you. These lodgings are the farthest from the Parks and the only ones with no shuttles to take you there. On the other hand, they are the cheapest ones and you don't need to pay €15 per day for the parking.

I have enjoyed staying there. It was nice to wake up with the birds and surrounded by the green of the trees. :-)

We also enjoyed having dinner at the Ranch. It was an "Eat all you want" buffet and the food was absolutely delicious. We paid around € 27 per person. Very well deserved! I advise you to reserve a restaurant table in the morning.

How was the breakfast? You can see it in the photo below. Very simple, but for me it was ok.

From Eurodisney

Guess what was the first language I've heard there? Dutch, of course!!! ;-))
We saw there so many Dutch families!! "Am I in France? Really? I don't think so!!" :-)) And the first thing I've seen?? An Albert Heijn plastic shopping bag, do you believe it? ;-)) Absolutely delicious! Loved it!! ;-))

(to be continued)