Blogs from North Holland, Netherlands, Europe - page 6

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Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam August 17th 2021

As I write this particular blog, we are on an airplane flight to Amsterdam. So, it won’t be posted until after we are settled into our motel room, sometime tonight, whenever tonight is. This trip came about when we were in Portland, so long ago. When? I have no idea but would need to look at my photos. It is a fact of life that, if it were not for photos, I’d have no idea where we were whenever. But it is a fact that we’d planned a trip to Oregon and then our truck was stolen, so we flew to Portland. We salvaged our trip to see our grandkids, and kids. While we were in Portland, actually sitting on our son and daughter-in-law’s couch, I got an email from United. It was United’s 40’th birthday ... read more
Our Regular: Sushi in San Francisco
Sunrise

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Haarlem August 6th 2021

1st of two virtual trips to Haarlem with Mark. A medieval city full of so much history, explained so well by Mark as we strolled through pretty narrow cobbled streets and along the Golden Streets with its unique boutiques. Next, the main market square with its imposing church, city hall, museums and much more. Haarlem has many Hofjes (enclosed courtyard gardens), beautiful green spaces tucked away, most dating back to medieval times. The gardens are surrounded by charitable almshouses and were used to house poor, unmarried or widowed women. We passed Corrie ten Boom House - The Hiding Place is a museum dedicated to the resistance fighter Corrie ten Boom. The museum is housed in her former home. We started the tour overlooking the The Spaarne River and the 2nd tour will be a walk and ... read more

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam July 18th 2021

Good morning Amsterdam Mark started the tour this morning overlooking the National Maritime Museum and the Nemo Science Museum before hopping onto his little electric bike and making his way to the centre, as he cycled we passed houseboats and a beautiful building The Shipping House, richly decorated with sculptures and wrought iron, which refer to the history of shipping in Holland. Symbols include seahorses, dolphins, waves and anchors. The entrance sculptures depicted the four oceans (the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean). As Mark quietly glided alongside the canals there were plenty of opportunities for capturing the reflections in the water. Arriving in the Red Light District it was the 3D Print steel Bridge that was so unusual to see in such a setting against the ancient backdrop of houses and ... read more

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam July 5th 2021

As agreed upon, we slept in to take the later flight back to Amsterdam. My body had other plans. It was up ready to go by 7 per usual. I did my best to stay quiet and let Alex sleep. By 8am, I realized this muddy be what my dog feels like when she wakes up at 5:30 or 6 and I don't get out of bed until 6:40. I lost my patience at 8 so got up to get ready and pack for the day. Of course that woke Alex up, so we for to go down for breakfast earlier than planned. Part of the reason that I was okay pushing back the flight was my excitement to eat breakfast at the hotel again. There were some options that I was not hungry enough to ... read more
De Haven van Texel for lunch
Original  Pancakes's Poffertjies
Late dinner at New King Traditional Mandarin restaurant

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam June 16th 2021

Amsterdam has a vast array of water canals over 100km in length, around 60 miles. These 165 canals divide the city into a series of small islands connected by over 1200 bridges, with the oldest completed in 1648; the Torensluis. The majority of canals can be accessed by private boats, group tours, or rental boats with many moored on the canal edges next to houseboats. The city’s bridges were built to withstand horse and cart weight of the time, which have since been affected by the trucks and small amount of cars that pass through the canal ring. Complex maintenance work is underway to strengthen certain canal walls and bridges throughout the city. During the 17th century Amsterdam experienced a massive economic boom, which led to the creation of its concentric canal belt. Four massive ditches ... read more

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam June 7th 2021

When was the last time you stayed in a youth hostel, or even a senior hostel? On my last trip to Dublin about 5 years ago, I stayed in a hostel. While I had a private room and bath, most of the rooms consisted of numerous bunks, crazy loud music, and the smell of a certain weed. Breakfast was a rather haphazard affair, with guests grabbing food, and plopping down anywhere in the dining area and lobby. I was shocked, upon seeing each day's guests waiting for the bus outside. I would say the average age was definitely over 30!! But the place was clean, and safe, with a great location, walking distance to the Templebar area. Prior to that, Mike and I stayed in some rather spartan hotels and motels on our journey through Chile. ... read more
Hostel bunks

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam June 6th 2021

The 17th-century Amsterdam canals are a world renowned location of cultural and historical significance with a rich history spanning 400 years of development, expansion, innovation and engineering. Amsterdam has a vast array of water canals over 100km in length, around 60 miles. These 165 canals divide the city into a series of small islands connected by over 1200 bridges, with the oldest completed in 1648; the Torensluis. The majority of canals can be accessed by private boats, group tours, or rental boats with many moored on the canal edges next to houseboats. The city’s bridges were built to withstand horse and cart weight of the time, which have since been affected by the trucks and small amount of cars that pass through the canal ring. Complex maintenance work is underway to strengthen certain canal walls and ... read more




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