The BestDog Games in Holland.

Departed from Narita on time.

Checking in was a bit of a surprise when we realized that taking 4 boxes of discs to Europe via KLM was VERY expensive! Checked bags only from this lesson…..

These discs were very, very expensive to bring on our KLM flight from Tokyo. Shimbo san is doing his very best to Sell, Sell, Sell!!!

People in Holland, like many of their European counterparts, speak fluent English. After the airport pickup, the dogs got a nature break and we had a very nice traditional Dutch style meal of giant sized pancakes topped with ingredients of the customers’ choosing. Looks like a pizza, but really a pancake. Delicious. Team Japan got to taste things like uncarbonated Coke, carbonated ice tea, and milk shakes that tasted like fresh ice cream. Wit beer, or white beer, was also sampled and approved.

Here is a sample of a pineapple pancake. Plates are about 35cm across.

After enjoying the surroundings, which included a small petting zoo with Lamas, sheep, goats, and others, we went to the hotel where everyone checked in smoothly and realized our long journey was over for the day. Dogs were welcome, so everyone went to their rooms and enjoyed a quiet, peaceful nights rest…

Shimbo san at the petting zoo next to the restaurant. Note the similarities with exception of the tie.

The event itself was very professional. Nice weather proof tents, easy layout, and our field was right in the heart of the event. On the top of the nearby hill was a giant color screen, from which all competitors and spectators could watch what was going on from most anywhere on the grounds.

Here is the giant video screen that you can see the NPA during one of their performances.

Here is one of the 6 NPA teaching clinics. Players of all ages came to these clinics. Beginners to advanced disc doggers learned throwing styles and new tricks to do with their dogs. The man in the blue hat was our official translator who spoke fluent Dutch, English, and Japanese (his wife is Japanese).

Mr. Hara and Mr. Murikami are showing the Dutch spectators throwing skills. A few throws went directly into the spectators! Look out!

The NPA, in addition to their demonstrations, also did 2 clinics per day. This kept us all very busy, and my English skills were necessary to help with all the registered players. I also got to MC the demonstrations, which was an unexpected but fun surprise. On Saturday and Sunday, we started the demos with me throwing from the big screen on the hill down into the demo area. It was a fun start for the spectators to see.

Yours truly doing a fine job being the MC for the NPA. Mr. Murikami is wondering how someone so good could be had for virtually nothing.

The weather was mostly very cooperative, with only a few times with light rain. We were lucky.

Our hotels (we stayed at two) were comfortable but had no air conditioning. Typical for Holland. Also, ice was very difficult, if not impossible, to find. All our meals during our stay were delicious. BestDog also provided us with two large transportation vans for our stay, and also graciously paid for everyone’s hotel rooms. Many thanks to Paul Laurens, wife, and staff.

Here is the NPA and me just before dinner was ordered at the second of the two hotels we stayed at. The food was delicious and especially good because I got to order it! Notice only one menu on the table. No Japanese in Holland!

Our hosts, Ellen and Surge Van der Zweet, gave us a special demonstration of how world class sheep dogs perform. On a private island, we were given a special demonstration of how these amazing border collies perform. Truly an unforgettable experience.

These border collies are amazing. On this private island, the dogs can run up to two kilometers rounding up the sheep, and then bring them back! The sheep are naturally afraid of the dogs because they bite if not properly behaving. The dogs are controlled by their handler who uses a special whistle to instruct the dogs to “Lie Down”, “go right”, “go left”, and so on. It truly is amazing to watch and this was a special treat to see.

As our trip began, it ended in the company of Ellen, Surge, and family. One of their staff, Geert, was also a highlight of our trip as he helped with many things that made our adventure complete. The last night’s BBQ was a special treat, and one I’ll never forget..

Here’s Geert, a combination of the Marlboro Man, Jack Tripper, and Ronald Reagan. He’s posing with two of the staff at Serge and Ellen’s border collie training center, which also doubles as their home.

Here’s the man himself, Serge Van der Zweep. Say that name fast five times. Serge is posing with one of his champion border collies. He is a former World Champion and many times over National Dutch Champion. He’s proudly holding his sheep herder’s staff, complete with engraved events that he’s won as well as a silver handle.

Team Japan with Ellen saying goodbye.

The next morning we were off to the airport, and most all of us had to pay for overweight baggage. Note to self: travel lightly when flying KLM….

John