A 4-day-3-night Summer Trip to Oostende

Day 3: 21 July 2010

Today is a special day.  Its not only National holiday but it is also PAPA'S 33RD BIRTHDAY!!!!!

The weather is quite OK I should say, not really hot...just perfect!  And today we will not be going anywhere with our car but with the TRAM!  To quench Niels' thirst for public transportation we decided to take the tram to go to De Panne.  It was quite a looong ride but Niels had fun.  Even if the tram was quite full due to the national holiday day (day tourists rushed to the beach), we found a seat at the back of the tram where Niels could also be free to look and move around.  The peeping, the opening of the door, and the coming in and out of passengers fascinated him.

When we got to De Panne, a tall statue of King Leopold welcomed us.

And then a right turn showed us paradise! Such a big playground was put up there with all sorts of exciting attraction for Niels.  He didnt hesitate at all, he ran straight to the playground.

Attraction No. 1: Carousel

Attraction No. 2: Baby boat tour

Attraction No. 3: A Giant X-O-X

Attraction No. 4: Slide with twisted tunned

 
Attraction No. 5: Regular Slide

Attraction No. 6: A Castle

Attraction No. 7: Merry-Go-Round   

 
Attraction No. 8: High Slide

Attraction No. 9: Mini Kitchen

Attraction No. 10: Colorful Ball Bath

After the playground (it was quite a drama to get him out of there though but we managed to lure him to go out) we went to have lunch on a terrace by the sand so Niels can play while we eat.  But since we didnt have any toys with us, Papa went quickly to buy a bucket and a shovel so Niels can amuse himself in the sand.  And it was a success.

After we ate, it was time to go back to the hotel to have a big long rest...cause tonight will be a long night!  We were planning to watch the Fireworks at the beach of Oostende. On the way back to the tram stop we enjoyed a walked through the shoreline.  And while walking at the shoreline, Niels showed us his new dance step!

See for yourself:

Once in the hotel, we cleaned up and took a loooong nap.  When we woke up we prepared already bags that we will not use anymore so we can bring it to the car (avoiding overload tomorrow morning on the way to the parking).  Before we went out, Niels said "But Papa its raining outside" .  And we just didnt believe him, we went downstairs..and what surprised us??? RAIN!  He was right!  And Niels said, "Yeah, its raining, we will get wet.  We have to put jacket on!"  So we put our jackets on and walked to the parking with our bags.  While Niels ride his bike and mama and papa has bags to pull, the rain slowed down and stopped finally.  On the way back were were looking to eat something quick.  We saw a french fries snack bar that doesn't have any customer.  We ate fries there quickly and afterwards walked around the vicinity.  But it was getting a little bit chilly and raindrops started to fall again so we decided to just go back to the hotel and play there.

Around 10pm, we went out to head to the Fireworks venue.  When we got there, lots of children were playing around with lights in their hands, balloons, and lots of men selling funny stuff!

There was also a fire dance busy, and Niels was soo amused but what he saw first was that the guy is dancing on barefeet!

Watch this:

When it was time for the fireworks, all lights turned off and the noise of fire cracking began!  After a minute or 2, Niels wants to go home.  It was too scary for him, the noise was too loud, although I was able to take something to show you.

Good night!

Neri