Honeymoon in the Netherlands (14 - 30 April 2000)

Before we went on our honeymoon, my parents visited us again to be part of the actual wedding. As this was their second visit, they were quite familiar with our house & surroundings and didn't need to be touristed around. That was a good thing as we were busy with the final preparations for the wedding. After all that, and the wedding-day itself, were we ready for a holiday.

After a year-and-a-half it was good to go back to the Netherlands. It surprising how familiar everything still felts, although I needed a few days to get used to driving on the right (in particular as a passenger I thought we were on the wrong side). We borrowed sweaters and winter-jackets from family, but were blessed with moderate temperatures (the last week with sun and 24 degrees even warmer than in Perth at the time).

We did a lot of family and friends visiting with a highlights our second wedding-reception, the Easter-egghunt at my sisters and a reunion from Pink Elephant. 

Lisa's Dutch had certainly improved (the time spend with my parents helped as well) and she was much better in communicating with my family-members who are not that fluent in English. My 4-year old niece Arnike, invited her to her school (group 1/kindy) so that she could learn some more. This was fun as she was so proud of having her foreign aunt in the classroom. The teacher asked how she could talk to Lisa and Arnike replied (in Dutch of course) "no problem, you just say 'YES' all the time" :-).

The sad part was of course to say goodbye. Just like last time it is unknown when we will see each other again. Although .. all sisters have plans to come and visit us (2001, depending on finances and school-holidays), as well as some friends. And even my parents have the intend of coming again at some stage. For us it will be at least another two years before we are ready to travel (2002, hopefully summer-time in the Netherlands) and maybe we'll combine it that time with a visit to Lisa's ancestral grounds in Scotland.

Singapore (1 - 4 May 2000)

As per last time, we wanted to recover a few days before returning to 'normal life' (a real honeymoon you could call it). Last time we went to Bintan Island (an Indonesian island, 45 minutes off Singapore by ferry) but we couldn't be bothered this time so stayed in Singapore itself. Lisa's sisters had recommended the Rasa Sentosa Beach Resort.

Sentosa is a tourist-island, connected to Singapore with a bridge (and cable-carts). Apart from various attractions (such as Underwater World, Volcano Land and the Merlion) does it house the only beach resorts of Singapore. Rather strange cause as you look out over the sea, you are confronted with dozens of ships, anchored before entering the harbour.

The hotel was a immaculate standard, with a price to match ($10 for a litre of bottled water). It had a nice pool and we spend quite some time lounging around that. But we also went out and about. One afternoon around Sentosa and one day to Orchard Road in the city. Lisa's was highly upset that she didn't manage to buy anything (mostly as the prices of things she liked a 4 figures or more in it !!).

Overall we like the Rasa Sentosa better than the Bintan resort, as it offers all the relaxing features, but still is close to tourist attractions and/or the city. Provided you don't buy everything at the hotel (get some drinks/food elsewhere) the prices are comparable. So perhaps a tips for other travellers that are looking for a stopover on the way to/from Australia.

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