A record of my travels to the Netherlands in May 2014
Maastricht, Holland (2014)
Maastricht is located near the southwest border of Holland and Belgium. In 1992, the treaty that formed the European Union was signed in this city. While we did not have time to explore the city, we walked around the downtown admiring the buildings and lifestyle of the people.
Historical building of Maastricht, Holland (2014)
Kinderdijk, Holland (2014)
Located 15 km away from Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is an UNESCO World Heritage site that is reminiscent of the beautiful Dutch landscape: whirling windmills floating on the grassy banks of the marshes.
Cruise to view the mills in Kinderdijk, Holland (2014)
Our tour guide arranged a private boat for our group that took us down the course of the river and allowed us to admire the breathtaking scenery on both banks. Apparently, people can leisurely walk or bike along the banks; or stop for refreshments at a small café near the entrance. Continue reading
Rotterdam, Holland (2014)
Euromast in Rotterdam, Holland (2014)
As the third largest city in Holland, Rotterdam is a modern port city with a skyline of skyscrapers and few traditional Dutch buildings. It had been rebuilt completely after being bombed during World War II.
During our brief stay, we visited the Euromast. Designed by architect, Hugh Maaskant, in the 1960s, the Euromast’s structure represents a ship’s mast with a crow’s nest, where one can see an amazing panorama of the city. Today, the structure is 185 meters (~607 feet) tall and one of the highest structures in Rotterdam.
Delft, Holland (2014)
Delft is the home of the painter, Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), and of the famous Delft Blue ceramics. Historically this town served as the home for William of Orange and the Dutch royal family. Presently, it is the home of the Delft University of Technology.
Delft, Holland (2014)
With Trafalgar, we briefly visited the town for a porcelain demonstration and for lunch.
Royal Delft Factory, Delft, Holland (2014)
Master Delft ceramic painter at work (2014)
At the Royal Delft Factory, we learned about the history of Delft Blue ceramics. During the 17th century, the Dutch were inspired by ceramics, especially Chinese porcelain. Wealthy families purchased Delftware as a sign of their prosperity and showed off their elaborate collections. Delftware physically looks like traditional Chinese porcelain, but it is not considered true porcelain. The clay used in Delftware is not kaolin but rather a clay mixture that is then covered with a tin glaze when it comes out of the kiln. Continue reading
Den Haag, Holland (2014)
Den Haag (The Hague) is Holland’s governmental city. This city set the cultural tone for the Netherlands with its well-preserved landmarks.
Peace Palace, Den Haag, Holland (2014)
The Peace Palace embodies the idea of world peace and houses international judicial institutions. The construction was mainly funded by Andrew Carnegie in the early 20th century.
Het Binnenhof, Den Haag, Holland (2014)
The Het Binnenhof is the center of Dutch government. Apparently visitors may take a guided tour through the Hall of Knights and the First and/or Second Chamber(s) of Parliament if there are no political meetings. Its 13th-century buildings are very picturesque overlooking the Hofvijver pond. Continue reading
Volendam, Holland (2014)
Attractions:
Volendam is a quaint fishing village located northwest of Amsterdam and bordering the Ijsselmeer, a freshwater lake. Frequented by visitors, one can visit the cheese and wooden shoe factories outside of the village prior to exploring the village proper.
Henry Willig Cheese Farm, Volendam, Holland (2014)
Cheese tasting at Henry Willig Cheese Farm, Holland (2014)
The Henri Willig cheese farm at the Alida Hoeve was our first stop. The ladies in Dutch traditional dress showed us how the cheeses were made in the past and the machinery used to produce the round cheese balls or donuts.
Cheese apparently comes in many flavors, including garlic, fenugreek, and cumin. Worth a taste if you like cheese!
Next door was the wooden shoe demonstration. The famous Dutch clog is made of a flexible willow or poplar wood; and can be worn in summer and winter. A machine drills the hole and shapes the wood into a shoe. Then, the shoe is dried and sanded before it is painted in the bright colors and patterns favored by the Dutch.
Wooden shoe making demonstration, Volendam, Holland (2014)
After the delightful demonstration, our tour group took us to the village for lunch and exploration. As a coastal village, it is known for its seafood (especially eels) and traditions of wearing traditional costume during folkloric events. Apparently, Paviljoen Smit Bokkum is known for its smoked eel, which we regret not trying, and was a favored spot for some celebrities.
An artist decorates the window of a cafe in Haarlem, Holland (2014)
A brave maid and her companion in Haarlem, Holland (2014)
In the early morning, the town of Haarlem awaits us. We arrive in the quaint town passing by a memorial commemorating the brave maid and her proud companion. Following the lazily, winding cobbled stone paths, we watch as store vendors clean their shop and creative restaurant artists doodle caricatures on the store windows. Then, we enter the heart of Haarlem—the Grote Markt (Big Market). From there, we take in the sights and sounds before choosing our next destination.
Haarlem is a short journey by train from Amsterdam (about 20 minutes) and is easily navigated by foot. Following the main street from the train station, several shops and small restaurants line both sides of the street as one goes toward the town center—the Grote Markt.
Haarlem, Holland (2014)
The Grote Markt is the main square with the most important buildings of the town, including the town hall (see below), Grote Kerk (leftmost building in above image), and many restaurants for a savvy adventurer to try. On certain days, there are market days selling clothing and other goods. Unfortunately, the church was closed the day we visited so we could not explore the interior.
Town hall in Haarlem, Holland (2014)
Pigeon-eyed view from the top of the Dom Tower, Utrecht, Holland (2014)
The sound of the bell tolls in the air amidst the pattering of the rain. From the nearby Dom Cathedral, the gothic-style Domkerk is an ominous giant of 112 meters reaching into the sky. My father urges us to quickly go to the tourist office to purchase tickets to explore the tower. We manage to get on the last tour. Following our guide, we brave the narrow passage way, past the cavern of bells, and up 465 steps to the top. Despite the rain, we brave the dizzying view of the city below. The fortressed town of Utrecht stretches out miles before us. Another hundred or so steps, we follow our guide to the enormous bell playing station. She shows us the program of songs that are played at the different hours of the day and during holidays. For fun, she gives us a demonstration. We are in awe as the bells chime their melody. The song of Utrecht echoes in our memory.
Utrecht, Holland in the rain (2014)
In the early morning, we catch the train to Utrecht departing from Centraal Station in Amsterdam. The 20-minute ride takes us past the Dutch countryside to the medieval university town of Utrecht located south of Amsterdam. Stepping off the train, we enter a quaint town of sturdy brown bricks and cobbled streets. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in Holland and is renowned for its university and rich art and design culture.
Tip: At Centraal Station in Amsterdam, you can purchase tickets from the person-operated ticket booth. Just tell them your destination and whether it is roundtrip.
Following the turns of the road and hiding under our umbrellas, we find ourselves outside the Museum Speelkok—known for its vast collection of musical clocks and devices.
Museum Speelklok, Utrecht, Holland (2014)
Organ on wheels, Museum Speelklok, Utrecht, Holland (2014)
金馬的旅行 Journey of the Golden Horse 