The Netherlands trip, Apr 2008 - The Waterland

The locals in the Netherlands like to get around by bicycles, so we thought we would go local and go cycling around North Holland, the Waterland area. The route is only around 25km and it is a very easy day trip.

We rented our bikes from a shop near the Central Station and then took the ferry to get to North Holland. We went through some really picturesque villages and the ride was very enjoyable. If you want to get out of the Amsterdam city for a short trip, I would highly recommend you to visit the Waterland by bike.

Riding by the seaside...

A little boy fishing in a small river

A little tip: if you are planning a similar cycling day trip, make sure you reach Broek in Waterland in time for lunch/ afternoon tea at Pannenkoekenhuis De Witte Swaen'(The White Swan Pancake House). There is a big menu with over 60 varitions of savory and sweet pancakes.

For more information:
http://www.dewitteswaen.nl/

The Netherlands trip, Apr 2008 - Amsterdam the city

Some more random photos on Amsterdam the city.

Amsterdam is particularly famous for a few things: its "coffeeshop" and its red light district:




It is a very liberal country. The police will generally turn a blind eye if you do your thing in a enclosed space, away from the public. But you cause a nuisance to others, then the police may not easily let you go!

The Dam Square, the meeting place for the locals. The Royal Palace is in the background. And in the middle of the square stands the National Monument commemorating the victims of World War II

Another famous sight in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank huis (Anne Frank house), which is a museum dedicated to the WWII Jewish diarist, who hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden back rooms at the rear of the building.

The front to the Anne Frank huis. The adjoining building has also turned into part of the museum.

The canals in Amsterdam are also very well-known. There are more than 100 km of canals in Amsterdam and you can see bridges everywhere. In a city like this, almost all buildings are water-front property! :-)


A funny-shaped building


Next thing about Amsterdam? The flemish fries (vlaamse frites) and other deep-fried goodies, all served with mayonnaise of course!

Having fries and mayonnaise with a local friend. This tiny fry stand on Boetboogstraat seems to be really popular with both the locals and tourists. You can have your fries with a number of sauce: plain mayonnaise, lemon mayonnaise, ketchup, curry sauce, vinegar etc..

Then we went for a beer and had some Bitterballen along with it. It contains chopped meat with some kind of flavoring, breaded and deep fried, and served alongside with mayonnaise or mustard. Very tasty.

The Netherlands trip, Apr 2008 - Westerkerk Toren (The tower of the Western Church), Amsterdam

The Westerkerk ("Western church") is a Protestant church in Amsterdam. It was built in the period between 1620 and 1621.

If you look carefully at the above photo, you can see a crown at the tip of the tower's spire. The story goes like this: At one point in15th Century, Amsterdam loaned large amounts of money to to Emperor Maximilian of Austria (Holy Roman Empire) who in return gave the city his protection and the right to include his crown in its coat of arms. Sounds like a good deal?

Anyway, for just €6, you can climb the tower of the church and enjoy a guided tour of the church carillons.

The church bells were made by the brothers Pieter and François Hemony. These bells are the ones that were heard by Anne Frank during her time in hiding at a nearby house.

The brothers were considered as the greatest carillon bell founders in the history of the Low Countries.

Their' skill was unequalled in their time and they have guarded their trade secret really well. It was not until the 19th Century were bells of comparable tuning quality casted.

The church is right next to Amsterdam's Jordaan district, at the bank of the Prinsengracht canal. Being the tallest church tower (85m) in Amsterdam, the tower also offers good view of the beautiful city and its canals.

The Coat of arms of Amsterdam topped with the crown of Maximilian of Austria. The three crosses are Saint Andrew's Crosses.

An artist shot of the arch of the tourist entrance

For more information:

Website of Westerkerk
http://www.westerkerk.nl/index.php?page=welkom-en

The Netherlands trip, Apr 2008 - The Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt), Amsterdam

(Source: http://www.hereorthere.com/members/intotheflame/experience/672)

The Floating Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt) market stands on houseboats which is 'docked' to on one of the oldest canals of Amsterdam (the Singel). From afar, it looks like a row of greenhouses standing on the river, which is quite an interesting sight.

The floating market started in 1862 and has since become a tourist destination. You can get all sorts of flowers here:

Tulip bulbs which come in all colours. I saw a person who was getting different coloured bulbs based on her new garden pattern. I hope that the bulbs haven't been mixed up! :-)

Tulips also come in different patterns.

Dried flowers

More tulips

Canned plants

Kumquats!

You can also bulk buy. Some one has a big garden!

A close-up of some other bulbs.

Germini

Bunches of tulips. They were quite cheap!

The Netherlands trip, Apr 2008 - Keukenhof (2)

Photos of SP and I (lots of them!!):