Family together on Christmas
For Christmas this year, we gathered in Breda for a potluck Italian dinner at Sofie’s apartment. Everyone prepared a different dish to bring for dinner. Koen made sourdough focaccia and I prepared pasta lazio, a penne dish with chicken, artichokes and sundried tomatoes.
Sipping sencha at the Park Hyatt in The Peak Lounge
One big recommendation from friends of ours was a visit to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku for breakfast or tea. The restaurants are located high up and offer a beautiful view of Tokyo. We were too late for breakfast, so we enjoyed tea and a sweet chestnut cake in The Peak Lounge, which features a skylit bamboo garden as its centerpiece.
Relaxing in my yukata, close to the garden
For a small getaway before heading back to Tokyo, Koen and I spent the night at Hoshi, the world’s second oldest hotel, founded in 718 and operated by the same family for 46 generations.
Entrance of the Tsukiji Fish Market
The Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is the largest and busiest fish market in the world. The market opens most mornings at 3AM, so it’s recommended to visit when you first arrive and are still jet lagged. So we headed to Tsukiji for a sushi breakfast on our first full day!
Fong Mei for Sunday dim sum!
So excited to have Christina and Rafaël in Anwerp for a few days! Sunday Rafaël had to be in Brussels, so Christina, Koen and I planned a day in the city.
Empire Biscuit
Day Six was our last day in Scotland before heading back home. We started the day with a coffee and breakfast from Riverhill Coffee Bar. I finally tasted the Empire Biscuit – a cookie I had seen everywhere during the trip – and it was so delicious!
Our ferry to the Isle of Islay
Day Two we made our way from Glasgow to Kennacraig for the ferry to Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay. Before reaching Kennacraig, we stopped at Loch Goil and at the Fyne Ales Brewery for lunch and a tasting.
Bagpipes at George Square
For our May vacation, Koen and I headed to Scotland with our friends Chris and Hannah. Our main destination was the Isle of Islay, but to start and finish the trip we spent some time in Glasgow.
Group photo at the Loonse en Drunense Duinen
The past few years we’ve been taking turns hosting Easter. This year Barbara invited us out to Tilburg for a delicious brunch and a walk amongst the more than 10,000 year old dunes!
An American in Antwerp 