The Trip that was: September 20, 2008/2012/2013/2014/2015

 2008

One of the biggest moments of my life: I SAW A HEDGEHOG IN THE WILD. 

2012

Remember way back to the beginning of this series, when I took you to Marken? This time we caught a boat ride to the sister village of Volendam! Not the boat we took, but isn't it pretty!?

Days with friends are the best! 

Birds on a boat.

My new friend in Volendam.

2013

The Museum Fundatie.  A giant "space egg" on top of the museum was VERY distinctive!  And I adore this museum.  The collection is lovely, the building is beautiful.

But be careful! It's a trap! Okay, okay, it's Dutch for stairs, but that's not as fun, is it??

Life imitates art.  Or he caught a fish thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big. 

The second part of the Fundatie collection can be found at the sister museum Kasteel Nijenhuis.

The manor, or castle, is beautifully preseved, and it's a wonderful exhibition space. Outside, there is a sculpture garden, and hedge garden. One of the scupltures is a mirror ball. It's a great place for photos!

2014

Another canal cruise, this time in Leiden! Home of Dutchboy's eldest sister and Leiden University.  The university was founded in 1575, and is a leading international research university.  Not that we visited that. I'm just letting you know you should think of  Leiden as a young and happening little college town. 

The canals are green with "kroos",  which I find translates into duckweed. 

A short clip so you can enjoy a small bit of Leiden.

Watch video on YouTube.

This photo was taken from the top floor of  the V&D, a Dutch department store.  It was a beautiful way to see whatever city you were visiting, because the buildings were almost always very tall, with a restaurant on the top floor.  Unfortunately, V&D declared bankruptcy and most of these grand buildings are empty or repurposed now. 

2016

A canal tour in Haarlem. 

Should you want to take a cruise, it departs directly across the canal from one of my favorite buildings.  This is third post where I've shown you the Teyler's musem. 

While waiting, I was eating my packed krentebolletje like a good Dutch person.  Dutch women almost always have these in their purses. Sometimes, they've been cut open and slathered with butter before being packed away in (reused!) plastic bags. And yes, sometimes they even put cheese AND butter on there. 

Upon departing the boat, we were greated by a local. 

We almost always have a meal in Grand Cafe Brinkmann.  After the cruise, we stopped in for supper.