The Trip that was: October 8, 2016/2017/2018

 2016

Views of Rotterdam, along the Maas River. 

Erasmus Bridge

Balloons over Rotterdam.

2017

Breakfast in Bakkeveen. He's a magic man, mama!!

We returned to Zwolle to go to the Fundatie Musuem.  The "egg" blends so well, it disappears into the sky.

They look like they're staring at the landing of the Mothership!! And yes, there is a golden bird on the roof of the museum building. A T-Rex would have been more interesting.

A recently authenticated Van Gogh! It's an odd piece for Van Gogh,  with the figures dominating the foreground. You can read a bit of the controversy about it here.

2018

Flying out of Rotterdam Airport to Barcelona.  A pocket full of Potter's.  These nasty little bits do indeed taste like that nasty boy and his wretched Gryffindor House were blended into convenient, little black pills. 

All checked into our hotel! This was the view...

First stop...Mercado de la Boqueria! Such beautiful  jamón ibérico ! 

So, where do you go your first evening in Barcelona when you're exhausted and starving? A Jewish Kosher restaurant?!?!?! Maccabi...it was close, beautiful and on the Ramblas. 

We spent a great deal of time wandering around on the Ramblas.  This wide, pedestrian lane runs through the heart of Barcelona. It's filled with stalls, vendors, tourists and pickpockets!  

It was a beautiful night, so we kept walking...looking for our the Gaudi House that I was most excited to see...Casa Battlo!  WE had early entry tickets the following morning, so we knew how far we had to walk from the hotel. And it was BEAUTIUFL lit up at night. It's a Unesco World Heritage site, and a beautiful design from Antoni Gaudi.  Gaudi took of the redesign of this house in 1904 and completed it in 1906. The inspiration was a watery, marine environment, while the roof  was inspired by the story of St. George and the dragon.  The roofline, with it's iridescent tiles is the dragon's back, and in front, the cross stabbing downward, is the pommel of St. George's sword, to slay the beast.  Most people call it the "house of bones" for the balconies, or the "dragon house".  Call it what you want, but I call it ethereal and perfect. 

The house next door, Casa Amatller,  is equally beautiful, but in a completely different way. It's so typically Spanish, Catalan Nouveau.  Threre's a passageway that leadsto the Amatller Chocolate shop...quite a grand passage, don't you think?

Walking back to the Ramblas.

Tomorrow, more in Barcelona! A memorable trip to the Casa Battlo, and the amazing Sagrada Familia. 

Tot Ziens!

The Trip that was: October 7, 2016/2017/2018/2019

 2016

In Apeldoorn is the beautiful Palace Het Loo. Built between 1684 to 1686 by William III of the Netherlands and Mary II of England,  the palace served as a home to the House of Orange for 300 years.  Since 1984, it has been a museum, though the royal family still hunts the surrounding lands.  A tour reveals the rich splendor and history of the House of Orange.     

After leaving Palais Het Loo behind, we moved to Gorssel to visit some of the paintings by our old friend, Carel Willink on permanent display at Museum More.  I adore this piece. First of all because of the color and movement of fabric, but secondly, for the clear tension between the two women. There is an unmistakable air of disagreement, that belies the closeness of their pose.

After a quick look, it was on to Deventer for a look around and then dinner. I really loved the old, artsy feeling of Deventer.  It's just...intimate but doesn't feel quaint. It's an easy place to be. 

The central square in Deventer is called The Brink. 

De Waag, Deventer.  The purpose of these "weigh house" was to ensure a standard weight and measure of all goods in the city.  They were hugely important centers of trade and commerce. That's why you find them in the center of older cities.  Since Deventer was a member of the Hanseatic League, and positioned on a river, they became very wealthy.  

It got colder as the sun set on our day, but that doesn't stop the Dutch. They light their gas heaters, get lap blankets and stay outdoors!

And with a view like this, who can blame them?!?

2017

Up super early, at Station Zuid Amsterdam waiting for the train to Assen! We were headed to Bakkeveen! 

In Assen, we met up with one of Dutchboy's  oldest friends for a lovely afternoon at the Drents Museum.

Don't you ADORE this piece of furniture!?! I want it! And a house big enough to showcase such a piece. 

Of course, I also want their lamps...

That evening, we met up with other friends and had the BEST time at De Gans in Groningen. 

The ladies...

And their gentlemen!

De Hans means "the goose", as you can likely work out from the decor. 

2018

The Little Woodcutter  in his tree, near Leidseplein is a favorite of Dutchboy's.  The statue first appeared in the tree January 30, 1989.  No one is exactly sure who the artist is, or who placed him there.  We visited him almost every year that we've gone to Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the little woodcutter was blown out of his tree during a very bad storm in November 2019 and hasn't reappeared. We can only hope he isn't lost forever.

Afternoon pick-me-up! Bitterballen and beer at Amstelhoeck!  I love Amstelhoeck-- they have great bitterballen and a lovely view of the Amstel River! What is bitterballen, you ask?? Imagine the best beef and extra thick gravy, congealed, breaded and deep-fried.  Sounds gross, but oh, so DELICIOUS. Want to make your own? I recommend this bitterballen recipe from The Dutch Table. In fact, I recommend any recipe from The Dutch Table! 

Evening on the Amstel River. 

Lest you think I only look at artsy things, go to the beach, eat and drink beer, I also shop. I mean, how could you NOT fall in love with these Fluevog shoes?? 

2019

A walk through Westerpark in Amsterdam revealed some interesting bits of arts. These guys make me laugh. Even though I'm not sure why. 

And they have their own version of the Lady of the Lake. But this watery tart doesn't have a sword, which probably explains her bird problem. 

The Lijnbaansgracht in Amsterdam. 

Doesn't get much more Amsterdamesque than this.  Westerkerk, the Prinsengracht, houseboats, and flowers.  And gray weather.  And I love it SO MUCH. 

One of our other yearly rituals is stopping in the Bistro Berlage, located in the Beurs van Berlage. Designed by Berlage to be the "stock exchange" and when the stock market system failed, as the socialist architect Berlage believed, it could be used as people's gathering place. And that's the main purpose of the space today, as it houses a restaurant, meeting and events spaces. Dutchboy and I both adore this Amsterdam style interior. 

The wall murals are by Dutch artist, Jan Toorop and depict the Past, Present and Future of socialism, as he envisioned it. 

The Beurs van Berlage.