Svendborg!

We started the journey to Svendborg with me getting picked up by honey and steen in the Porsche! It is an awesome car, but with 3 people and their luggage, you could say it was a little crammed!

From there we drove 3 hours to get to Finn and Bodils house, where honey and steen have an apartment in the downstairs of they house! The next day, steen and I went on an all day sailing trip to the surrounding Danish islands! It was lots of fun! We ended it by doing a sunset sail, and got to sail into the night and didn't return to the harbor until around 11:30 pm

Aarhus with Anne Sophie and family!

After the family reunion, I rode back to Aarhus (denmarks second largest city) and stayed with Anne Sophie (a cousin) and her parents! We were exhausted from the late nights from the family reunion, so we hung out at the beach for most of the day! The following day we went into town and spent hours doing one of our favorite things, shopping! When we returned home hours later, we enjoyed an amazing meal inside their greenhouse in their backyard! Then because we were so exhausted we spent the night watching movies and trying all kinda of Danish candy! The next day we woke up early and headed into town again and got in line to visit the famous Aarhus museum! The pictures of the colored structure are from the very top of the museum, it is called "The Rainbow" and you can walk around the tunnel and see the city through all the different colors! It was so beautiful, especially because we were up there while the sun was rising! 

Family reunion in Bigum!

After Copenhagen, we took a 4 hour drive to the town of Bigum, where the big family reunion was taking place. It was at a summer house that Honey and all her cousins have taken care of and kept up since Honeys grandpa bought it many years ago. There was around 50 people and we had a big lunch and all day party! There was also a meeting of all the cousins of the house where they discussed maintenance of the house and how to keep it in the best condition. It was a great chance for me to finally meet all these relatives that I have heard about but not met in person until now! Everyone was so welcoming it really made me feel at home and like I truly belonged there :) The party went all through the night ending with a bonfire with the cousins! It was a great weekend! 

Copenhagen, Denmark!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Denmark has been amazing!! I started off flying into Copenhagen, where I spent the day on a bike touring the city! The first picture is of me at the Queens square, where the royal family lives! I stayed in the city for 4 days with Christopher (my cousin) and his parents. We went to the tivoli amusement park and of course had some ice cream :) I went on some really big rides that Christopher was too afraid to go on! I also went to a Viking exhibit at the museum where I learned all about my ancestors ;) And then after that we went and saw the little mermaid and biked along the harbor, it was so beautiful. I really fell in love with the city and I am looking forward to coming back! 

Alone in Europe!

Fortunately we've survived our 3 days alone in Europe! 

On Saturday we took the train to Amsterdam and spent the day exploring the city! 

We found a really cool flower market along the canal, and did some final souvanir shopping! 

We also made our way to the Museum district and got to see the Van Gogh museum! 

Finally, we went back to the Redlight district and experienced our first Coffee Shop, which ironically does not sell coffee. 

We found our way back home (easily) and watched movies! 

This morning, we got up early to pack our things and then cleaned the house. 

Kiana is flying to Denmark tomorrow and I am flying home. 

We spent our last evening in Haarlem and found a great pizza place, and ended our meal with fancy coffee! 

I'm really sad that today was my last day in Europe, but I'm so unbelievably thankful for every family that we've stayed with! And all the people that we've met! Everyone has been so generous and we greatly appreciate it! I'm so glad that I could experience this trip, it has truly been the trip of a lifetime! And I'm so thankful for everyone that made it possible! :) 

The Netherlands!

Thursday, we spent the day relaxing as Yael packed for Africa. In the afternoon we rode our bikes to the beach which takes about 30 minutes! We swam in the ocean, and then met Yael's family for dinner at a restaurant on the beach! 

Friday was our last day with Yael and her family, they left for Africa this morning! 

Yesterday, we went into Haarlem and did some more shopping, then we took a canal tour through the city! 

For our last meal with the family, Yael's dad made his famous French fries and they were delicious!

This morning we got up early to say our good byes :( And we experienced our first day in Europe completely alone! It was very exciting! Although it was pouring down rain for most of the day, it cleared up enough for us to bike to the lake! 

We also went to the grocery store on our own and cooked our own dinner! We're very proud of ourselves! 

Amsterdam and the Holland Countryside!

On Monday we took the train to Amsterdam and spent the morning on a canal ride though the city!

Then we walked around, and had lunch at a cafe that overlooked one of the canals.

After lunch we went to a museum and saw paintings from Van Gogh and Rembrandt! 

We had a relaxing snack in the park before heading to the Redlight District, which surprisingly wasn't as awful as we'd heard, thankfully we were there too early for the real thing.

 After a long day in the city we took the train back to Yael's house and had a relaxing evening

On Tuesday, we went on a drive with Yael's father who showed us the Holland countryside, complete with a tour of the old windmills 

When we got back we rode our bikes to the lake and had a very nice dinner on the dunes next to the lake. However, we only had two bikes so Kiana and I took turns sitting on the back of Yael's bike, which is apparently a very Dutch thing to do :)

This morning we went back to Amsterdam and visited the Anne Frank house, where she and her family hid during the Holocaust

After the museum we had lunch at a very good cafe, and did some shopping. 

Finally, we climbed to the viewpoint of the tallest church tower of Amsterdam! 

Now, we are getting ready to go to a festival in Haarlem!