Is a nifty park! I woke up at 7 but we couldn´t go into the park until about 9.45, so we had breakfast and a bimble and an update of the blog, then headed into the park. The nifty rollercoaster, Python, was shut. Joe looked rather relieved but I was disappointed. It stayed closed all day as well (mentioned it at the hotel and they even checked to see if it would open tomorrow, but probably not). So we rode Pegasus which was fun. Then just worked our way around the park stopping for rides every now and again. After lunch we headed back to the hotel and got Joe´s camera. He took about 120 photos of the park. And we got to ride Roc which is a very nifty rollercoaster.
Efteling is larger than it appears, we missed several things and probably need to come back. But it was a very fun day! Off tomorrow to head back towards Amsterdam; not sure what we´ll do on the way. May stop at Delft but we´ll see.
So, ignoring the pokes at 4 in the morning (he fibs, I didn´t wake up until 7!) and ignoring Kathleen bouncing off the walls and annoying the people next door (they never said anything and I wasn´t up until 7!) We headed for breakfast about half 8 (I´d been awake since 7!). Allowing Kathleen to drink coffee may not have been a good idea at this time. We then did a few bits and pieces before heading to the park about 9.45 (like the blog, cause I´d been awake since 7). Kathleen´s inbuilt rollercoaster radar led us straight to the biggest one in the park where after hanging around until 10 when the rides opened, two blokes come along, took the sign down, and replaced it with a big closed (well, the sign was in Dutch but it was pretty obvious). So Kathleen headed us off to the next rollercoaster. And that was the start of our day in the park.
Dutch keyboard! Nothing is in the right place! That´s my excuse for any typos.
We pulled in to park at the wedding party and met up with another group parking. They said “so you´re from Belgium!” We said from the UK and they said “so you went to Belgium and drove from there?” So Joe asked why and they pointed out we´re driving a car from Belgium. Interesting. So the Dutch probably now think drivers from Belgium are slow and awful.
The party was great fun with people from at least 9 countries (that´s how many we counted after a few drinks) from all over Europe and as far away as Canada and Australia. There was a band which was great fun (lots of swing) and fabulous food. We were in a huge marqué tent in the middle of the countryside and the weather was beautiful though quite cold. It reminded me of Lost Vagueness at Glastonbury – elegance in a field and people dressed in everything from jeans and wellies to ballgowns and high heels. Very lovely.
After a good night´s sleep we had a leisurely start to the day. Had breakfast then a short walk around Staphorst before getting in the car and heading out. We drove scenic routes – all along a canel to start on a little tiny road. Then off into the forest. Stopped at a pancake house and had far too much to eat (it was lovely). Arrived at Efteling around 4ish and checked into the hotel. As we drove up Joe just laughed – the hotel is a fantasy castle!
We can see the park from our window so I spent some of the afternoon watching the pagoda go up and down. Had a lovely dinner and are now just waiting to get into the park and play!
