Album: Netherlands Part 1 - The Warm-Up
Arrived in Amsterdam Sunday August 14th and stayed at my Oma's (grandmother) in Utrecht for a week. The Netherlands is 25% under sea level and the windmills were originally used to drain the land. I got a chance to see a lot of the 2000km of dijks (dams) which hold back the ocean including the 35km long Afsluitdijk which created the IJsselmeer (inland sea blocked in by this dijk). I toured around with my mom for a while before leaving on my own to see more of Europe. I also hung out in Utrecht visiting landmarks and drinking belgian beer.

Album: Spanish Heat - Madrid and Barcelona
I had no idea what Spain was like until this trip. I didn't speak any Spanish and had more than one local get mad at me for being a foreigner without a clue. But hey I loved every minute of the sun, amazing scenery, great new friends, parties and good food. I will have to come back to learn more about the culture and see the rest of the country. Learning Spanish is on my TODO list before I go again.

Album: The Riviera - Nice and Monaco
I only spent a couple of days in France, visiting Nice and Monacco for day each. It was nice to practice my french and I had no problem talking to most people. They treated me well but the French Riviera is NOT cheap. I will have to go back sometime when I want to lose a bunch of money gambling and spend 300 euros on oysters fresh off the boat.

Album: Italy - Cinque Terre
Before my trip a lot of people told me to "Visit Cinque Terre!" So without a clue what it was like I took the train down the Italian coast in the direction of La Spezia. There 5 little fishing villages turned tourist traps lay nestled in the cliffs. I stayed for 2 nights at a hostel in Riomaggiore and hiked along the coast.

Album: Swiss Alps - Interlaken
Staying in Interlaken, Switzerland was one of the best parts of my trip. I planned on staying in Interlaken for just two nights but it was so awesome that I hung out the entire rest of my trip, leaving only one night to get to catch my flight from Geneva. I met some great people, climbed high in the alps and did the extreme sport of Canyoning.

Album: Netherlands Part 2 - There and Back Again
I returned to the Netherlands on September 1st. My dad grabbed a last minute flight to meet me at my Oma's and he showed me some of the family history. I went clubbing a bunch in Utrecht and bought some presents. Then spent a last few days with my Oma before returning to Seattle on September 5th. This was a great way to end my trip.