A citytrip to Eindhoven: Beer, churches and boobs!

 Sometimes as parents, you need to be able to get that weekend away, and we did just that the past weekend.

With Thorin staying at his grandmother, we went to celebrate our 7 year anniversary with a citytrip, and the choice fell to Eindhoven for no particular reason.

So we made the about an hour long drive to there, and after smooth traffic arrived in the dutch "city of light" where everything is influenced by the Phillips lightbulb factory.  

 

 

We set out for a first exploration walk, and look for some lunch, which we found at the very cosy Loods 61.  We ordered some good looking sandwiches, and I managed to obtain the first beer discovery of the weekend with the Vuur en Vlam IPA by De Molen.  No idea though what is up with the shoes...

A bit further in this artistic neighbourhood alley, we ran into Eppo's comic store, which also packed a wide selection of manga.  I picked up Terra Formars 15, and then another first volume of a series I know nothing about, but Noshi insisted I bought it, because, well, boobs.

 

Walking around, we came to the Sint Catherinakerk in the centre of Eindhoven, right next to the bar area and shopping streets.  We went in to watch this beautifull church, which also had an exhibition about the archeological finds made a few decades ago, as this church was build in the second half of the 20th century "crossed" across the fundaments of the old church.

Time for a little stop on this clear blue sky day, and then it was off to the hotel room, but not after passing a SanRio store first.

We had a luxury room in the Westcot hotel, and yes, that came with a hot tub in which I spend like every free moment we where in the room.  

 

And then it was off for some relaxationed drinking, as we found a specialised beerbar, Bierprofessor, and the untapped number would rise.  Noshi discovered the so-called "milkshake smoothies beers", in this case by Nepo from eastern europe.

A few drinks later, it was time to find some dinner, and we opted for a fun called steak restaurant: Smeagol.  

Eindhoven also has some awesome, impressive pieces of street art littered around the centre.

Then it was back for a few more beer discoveries before tucking in for the night.

The morning after, breakfast was served, very tasty and with a wide selection.

 

We took a little stroll and had some iced coffee's, as it was hitting over 30 degrees at midday, and then it was time to drive back and collect our little tornado.  Though some heavy manouevring was required to get out of my parking space I must say...

So that was a nice overnight relaxation to charge the batteries at the beginning of the holidays  and to celebrate our anniversary.

Eindhoven is definitly worth a visit, and next time, I'll make sure to know where the game stores and used book stores are located, as we didn't go around searching for those, that wasn't my goal on this trip.

Amsterdam City Trip

 Noshi and me went to Amsterdam the past week, to blow out a bit from the rather hectic month of december.

With little Thorin and my father getting heavy medical diagnoses, all in one month it has been a very emotional, sleep derived month and not the best of seasonal holidays.

So we needed this break, if only to get some sleep for one, and to put everything in a row to carry on with life and recharge the emotional batteries.  So of we went for a trip of food, beer and (adult) entertainmant.

It is also Noshi's birthday on the day we arrived, so needless to say that meant a good dinner was in order before causing some noise issues in the hotelroom (SNORING, you pervs!!!!).  

One of the things we had planned was visiting the Otaking store, which has a huge selection of gachapon machines, but it was closed for the seasonal brake unfortunatly.  No idea when I will get there again though, but it remains on the to visit list for sure.

Not to despair though, as I had found online another store with a LOT of manga, namely Henk's Comics.  Going there for a stroll, I picked up a few manga.

Of course, when in other cities, one visits museum's, and we had selected two to visit for our three day stay in the city.  The first one was Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum

While the second one was located in the famous Red Lights district (I told you, adult entertainment, you all just thought far to wrong, bunch of hentai!) which tells the story of the history of erotic art.

Both where fun museums, and for the rest we have been strengthening the inner person.  On the first night, we went for mexican food (it was okay, not great, but fast foody wise okay) before going for drinks in Cafe Cuba for the birthday girl.  Here I discovered a tasty local IPA I must say.

On the second day we went first for a drink where I got a local micro steam brewery, and it was a fine beer I must say, very soft in taste.

Afterwards, it was time for a good italian for a bite, some penne con gamberetti e spinaci always is welcome.

 

 

And I found the street I want to move to.  Imagine the fun of dictating your adress to people if you live here, they would be thinking you're pulling their leg!

Of course, we went for some strolling and shopping during our stay. Like this huge, two story candy store.  Noshi was in her element with all that tastyness around!

 

And crepes...

I also saw a book I liked in a HUGE bookstore, but decided to not get it.  That is, until the morning after so we went back to the store and I picked it up in the end after all.

And so it was time to go back to our homestead, and hopping on the train back to Antwerp after a short but relaxing break from everything.

Though of course, I can't pass Antwerp Central Station without dropping by at Akiba and do some gachapon, to compensate for the above mentioned store being closed during the trip...