10/04 - Day trip to Maastricht, The Netherlands



In front of Andre Rieu`s Castle (Home)



With Katuscha, Koen and Eva off to the Belgium Karate championships, the rest of us pilled into the car and headed off to Maastricht.  Masstricht (Click for more detail) is known for its picturesque squares, romantic streets, and historical buildings and is one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands being the first city to receive Roman City Rights and dating back to Neanderthal, Paleolithic and Celtic times.

Ozziebob, who grew up here, was the perfect tour guide.  The highlights of the day where:

• Visit to Andre Rieu castle (home) - he wasn`t home to greet us.
• The 13th-century medieval Helpoort - Hells Gate.  Oldest in the Netherlands.
• Walk through the old city with old buildings now the main shopping precint.
• Onze Lieve Vrouweplein - picturesque tree-lined square where we had lunch at the Charlemagne cafe.  Emma practiced some German with a very friendly waiter.
• The Basilica of our Lady - 11th century church.
• The Australian chocolate shop - Emma in heavan.
• Vrijthof - the best-known square in the city.
• Basilica of Saint Sevatius - Romanesque church.

Lunch at Charlemagne Cafe

Bill and Jonathan then settled down for a big night of the final round of the US Masters with two Auzzie`s Adam Scott and Jason Day just being piped by Charl Schwartzel from South Africa.