Remember When [Fin] - PUBLISHED UNDER PHR

Nine

This chapter is basically about Michelle's European trip. Pangarap ko talaga ito eh!! 😭

------

Nasa Amsterdam airport si Michelle at nakikinig sa tour guide nila na nagsasabi ng itinenary nila for today. First stop ng tour nila is Netherlands. Hindi na nga siya magkandaugaga sa pagkuha ng litrato nang makasakay siya ng eroplano. She wants to enjoy her tour by herself. Sa isang buwan, hindi siya magoonline sa mga social media accounts niya. Nagalit pa nga sakanya ang Mommy niya nang sabihin niya iyon kaya nangako nalang siya na magsesend nalang siya ng texts every now and then. As much as possible kasi, ayaw niya hawakan ang phone niya kung hindi lang din siya kukuha ng litrato pero dala naman kasi niya ang Fuji film camera niya.

Sakay ng coaster bus, bumyahe sila ng mga thirty minutes patungong Dutch Haarlem kung saan located ang hotel na tutuluyan nila.

"Everyone, get some rest first and we'll meet here at the lobby at three pm." sabi sakanila ng tour guide nila nang maibigay na sakanila ang kani-kanilang mga key cards.

Pumasok na siya sa kanyang hotel room dala-dala ang mga bagahe niya. Tinanggal niya ang kanyang coat and scarf dahil medyo may kalamigan dito sa Netherlands. Naghanda siya ng warm bath tapos ay nagbabad sandali doon. Pagkatapos ay natulog siya dahil sa pagod sa byahe.

Saktong three pm ay bumaba siya kipkip ang camera. Ang phone, wallet at mga id's naman niya ay nasa maliit niyang sling bag. She's wearing a white wool sweater with her black leggings and her ankle boots. Inorient sila sandali ng tour guide nila ng mga do's and don'ts. Then nag-proceed na sila sa kanilang walking tour.

"Haarlem is a city outside Amsterdam. With its ancient buildings, cobbled streets and winding waterways, Haarlem is one of the most photogenic destinations in the Netherlands. Haarlem is often referred to as a scaled-down version of its more famous neighbour.."

Kumukha ng litrato si Michelle habang namamangha sa kagandahan ng mga bahay na nakikita niya. Haarlem has its own vibrant pulse and overflows with a rich history, epoch-spanning architecture and a thriving cultural scene all of its own. It was so beautiful that she just can't help herself to take some pictures. Nag-group photo rin sila. Halos mga sampung katao sila sa group. May nagha-honeymoon, may mga magkakaibigan ang iba ay solo traveler katulad niya.

"This place is amazing!" sambit ng isang matandang babae sakanya. Kasama nito ang asawa at napag-alaman niya na anniversary ng mga ito.

"It is." sang-ayon niya rito.

Sabi nila na masarap daw magshopping sa Haarlem at totoo nga iyon. From famous label brands to antique items, lahat magaganda and she can't help but to buy some.

After the city tour, they had a traditional rijsttafel dinner together. They stayed two night in Haalem before hopping aboard a train into Amsterdam and went cruising the canals on a relaxing canal boat. They visited museums such as Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum. After that they travelled to Anrhem's open air museum and from there they wandered around quaint house, village storefronts and windmills. They even had the chance to experience some Dutch pancake breakfast which she likes.

She was in awe when they went to Germany's castle-studded Rhineland where they also had dinner. They stayed there for another two nights by taking the Rhine River cruise that passes by a picturesque villages and feudal castles. Hindi siya makapaniwala na makakakita siya ng mga ganitong castle. As in kastilyo!

Day five they went to Rothenburg - Germany's most preserved medieval town. They stayed there for one night touring the medieval walls, punishment museum and seeing the woodcarving's. Pagkatapos ay sa Austria sila pumunta, at nagstay sa isang guest house. Kinabukasan ay sakay sila ng coaster bus na magdadala sakanila sa Neuschwanstein Castle para sa isang half-hour hike. Nilibot nila ang kabuuan nito, nagstroll din sila sa kalapit na woods at nakapasok sa iba pang castles na naroon. Pwede rin silang mag-ikot pa sa ibang villages pero mas pinili nalang niya na magstay sa guest house na tinutuluyan nila. Nakakapagod din naman kasi maglakad ng maglakad.