Blogs from North Holland, Netherlands, Europe - page 11

Andernach to Amsterdam We set sail early the next day and arrived in Cologne around mid day. After lunch we did a walking tour of Cologne and of course the majestic Koln Cathedral. I stayed in Cologne back in the 80’s and early 90’s when we would come over for the massive furniture hardware show, so I was pretty familiar with the city, even after all these years not much has changed. When you consider that 90% of the city was destroyed during WW2 with hardly any damage to the cathedral was testament to the accuracy of the British bombers. I think the most disappointing thing we have seen since we landed in Europe, including Spain, is the disrespect of the environment by SMOKERS!! they just throw their old cigarette butts on the ground and walk ... read more

Haarlem, wat ben je mooi! Het plan dat al maanden in mijn hoofd zat en dagen op de planning stond, werd vandaag tot uitvoering gebracht en het was leuk! Even een stapje terug. De ochtend begon in Rotterdam en na netjes de afwas te hebben gedaan – het stond al een tijdje op me te wachten – heb ik mijn tas ingepakt: schoon onderbroekje, shirtje, zonnebrandcrème, (te veel) opladers, portemonnee, ook niet onbelangrijk; het paste allemaal maar net in m’n tas. Nou (s)katjes, tot morgen! Het plan was al vroeg in Haarlem aan te komen dus ik stapte gauw op de fiets naar Rotterdam Centraal waar vanuit mijn reis dan echt begon! De zon hoog aan de hemel, de hemel mooi blauw en een hoop zweetdruppels op mijn voorhoofd later, liep ik tegen het eind van ... read more

Stayed at a very nice hotel at the airport last night and are enjoying a simple breakfast - purchased at a well stocked grocery store in the airport - as we wait for our flight home. Gee noted this morning that we have traveled through 4 countries on buses and trains, through cities, towns, villages and countrysides and haven't seen any liter or homeless encampments. Pretty sure we could not do this anywhere in the U.S.! Wonder why?... read more

After breakfast, which was quiet and peaceful with so many of the guests sleeping in, we made our way to the Waterlooplein Market to check out the local goods. It was a cold and blustery and rainy day so we had to bundle up and there wasn’t much to see at opening time of 9:30. However we did a have a nice conversation with a Israeli woman who had children spread all over the world. Note: your life is in your hands as you make your way around the city. The order of importance is: trams, bicycles, cars and people. If there were room on the wheels of the bicycles it would show the number of people run down, like the number of cars destroyed in a demolition derby. You have to look both ways, for ... read more

Not today … John slept in after a raucous night of thunder and lightening and heavy rains. But upon opening the curtains it is cloudy but clear. Maybe this is Camelot. As we traveled around the city we found that there were some high winds last night. Five or more large and old trees fell on one canal alone. We saw the result, including crushed boats and damage to the sidewalks and canals. Global warming. We made it to the Rijksmuseum just as it opened and scooted into the Rembrandt special exhibit of almost all of his drawings and a number of his paintings, laid out over at least seven galleries. What a thrill to see all of his most intimate work. His drawings bring you into personal relationship with the people he was observing. You ... read more

As usual John was up early, feeling his way around the room to not wake Peggy, and going out for a walk in this lovely city. Lots of beautiful views of buildings, waterways and barges. After ninety minutes of walking and taking pictures, he returned to Peggy and pushed the wrong button, turning all the lights on in the room. The system for temperature and light and curtains is all run from an electronic system next to the bed and in the bathroom. Turns out you can turn on all the lights in the room and bathroom from the bathroom panel but not the other way around. Having turned every light “on” John went to remedy the situation and turned every light off so it was pitch dark. Ah well, time to get up…. The Park ... read more