A new trip and destination for the blog! Holland, for almost two weeks, this February. This was my first trip to continental Europe. I'd been to Ireland many years ago, and most of my travels usually take me to Latin America, so this trip was to be a great cultural excursion for me, as well as a wonderful family visit: Audie's sister Maddi has lived in the Netherlands for many years, and his two nephews were born there. The following are a few select photos in a very random order:
Windmills! The iconic representation of Holland, and they are truly fantastic. This one was in a field, near Maddi's cottage, and although not still in service, it was pristine and well-cared for. Massive modern wind turbines are what are really in use these days, and although windswept Holland is replete with these, they don't make nearly so pretty a picture.
Found in Maddi's village! No, it's not a SmartCar. It's smaller even than that! It'd be lucky if the average American male could fit in the driver and passenger seats combined! I'm not sure how Dutch men, who are often quite tall (but not nearly so wide!), can fit in it.
Maddi's village is only a few hours by train to Amsterdam so we made a couple of day-trips there, to visit museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum) and admire the canals and architecture of this amazing city. Notice the very obvious lean and odd window angles above? I took this picture dead-on, as you can tell from the two neighbors. Talk about being squished! Audie's theory is that the only way they could shoehorn it into such a narrow alley was to squeeze it so it popped.
I am in love with the houseboat lifestyle, and even though it was winter, many had wonderful gardens on their rooftops. And by the way, I thought February was a fantastic time to be in the Netherlands. No other tourists! We didn't get to see the fields of tulips or the magnificent city landscapings, but the museums were manageable and the trains weren't too packed. As is so often the case when we travel, our happiest times were just spent wandering, getting lost, discovering hidden alleys. And it wasn't too cold either...of course, only Alaskans go to the Netherlands in the winter to warm up!
Relaxing with a beer after our Van Gogh Museum foray. The museum had a special exhibit of Van Gogh's night paintings, centered of course around
Starry Night, on loan from NY's MOMA. A headset recording with appropriate music, readings from Van Gogh's letters, and biographical information made the paintings soar to life. I've never before come close to crying in an art museum, but the beauty of the paintings, the intensity of the artist's life, and the music combined to make an overwhelmingly beautiful experience for me. Although many of the paintings are quite famous and the images are common printings in our everyday lives, to see the real painting itself, to study the brushstrokes and lines, is to feel inspired to be near such genius. Another happy museum moment for me was in the Rijksmuseum, with Vermeer's paintings. I have long been a fan of Vermeer's work, particularly his play of light on simple subjects. I felt very blessed to stand in front of his original works, and with museum crowds light at this time of year, one could linger and feel at peace with the art.
Lots of tramping around the Low Lands makes one quite hungry! While enjoying particular Dutch favorites like pannekoeken - as it sounds: pancakes - and split pea soup, good hearty fare, we also made a point to enjoy another cuisine the Dutch are famous for: Indonesian food! Here we are at a traditional rijstaffel. Although that specifically translates to "rice table", more apt would be "sumptuous feast"! Covering our table are perhaps thirty or so samplings of different dishes, all fantastically delicious. A small sampling of thirty dishes ends up equaling a lot of food on your plate! Audie's nephew Alan recently came back from an eight-month backpacking jaunt through southeast Asia, with stops in Indonesia, and says the Indonesian food in Holland is the best!
More of the rijstaffel in the beautiful city of Utrecht, with sister Maddi, nephew Alan, and our waiter. We had a number of very nice family dinners and socials with Maddi's friends while we were there. Visiting family or friends in a foreign locale certainly makes a trip extra special! Audie likes to joke that it always throws him for a loop to hear his sister and nephews conversing fluently in Dutch. It is amusing to watch family members talking freely in a language you can't understand!
I posted this picture on the other blog already, but it's my favorite picture from the Netherlands so I post it here again. This windmill is the same as the first picture on this posting. We awoke one morning in our guest cottage at Maddi's and this was the view from the window! I've seen lots of pretty sunsets in my life, but this is probably the nicest sunrise I've ever been witness to.
There are many things to admire about the Dutch culture, and the bicycle lifestyle is certainly one of them. Bikes are everywhere, and with everyone riding bikes, they've got to park them somewhere, hence: bike parking garages! The one behind me is three stories high.
Being so close, we also went to Belgium, to Antwerp, where we enjoyed famous Belgian beer and the most exquisitely delicious hot chocolate I've had in my life.
Windmills! The iconic representation of Holland, and they are truly fantastic. This one was in a field, near Maddi's cottage, and although not still in service, it was pristine and well-cared for. Massive modern wind turbines are what are really in use these days, and although windswept Holland is replete with these, they don't make nearly so pretty a picture. 
Found in Maddi's village! No, it's not a SmartCar. It's smaller even than that! It'd be lucky if the average American male could fit in the driver and passenger seats combined! I'm not sure how Dutch men, who are often quite tall (but not nearly so wide!), can fit in it. 
Maddi's village is only a few hours by train to Amsterdam so we made a couple of day-trips there, to visit museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum) and admire the canals and architecture of this amazing city. Notice the very obvious lean and odd window angles above? I took this picture dead-on, as you can tell from the two neighbors. Talk about being squished! Audie's theory is that the only way they could shoehorn it into such a narrow alley was to squeeze it so it popped.
I am in love with the houseboat lifestyle, and even though it was winter, many had wonderful gardens on their rooftops. And by the way, I thought February was a fantastic time to be in the Netherlands. No other tourists! We didn't get to see the fields of tulips or the magnificent city landscapings, but the museums were manageable and the trains weren't too packed. As is so often the case when we travel, our happiest times were just spent wandering, getting lost, discovering hidden alleys. And it wasn't too cold either...of course, only Alaskans go to the Netherlands in the winter to warm up!
Relaxing with a beer after our Van Gogh Museum foray. The museum had a special exhibit of Van Gogh's night paintings, centered of course around Starry Night, on loan from NY's MOMA. A headset recording with appropriate music, readings from Van Gogh's letters, and biographical information made the paintings soar to life. I've never before come close to crying in an art museum, but the beauty of the paintings, the intensity of the artist's life, and the music combined to make an overwhelmingly beautiful experience for me. Although many of the paintings are quite famous and the images are common printings in our everyday lives, to see the real painting itself, to study the brushstrokes and lines, is to feel inspired to be near such genius. Another happy museum moment for me was in the Rijksmuseum, with Vermeer's paintings. I have long been a fan of Vermeer's work, particularly his play of light on simple subjects. I felt very blessed to stand in front of his original works, and with museum crowds light at this time of year, one could linger and feel at peace with the art.
Lots of tramping around the Low Lands makes one quite hungry! While enjoying particular Dutch favorites like pannekoeken - as it sounds: pancakes - and split pea soup, good hearty fare, we also made a point to enjoy another cuisine the Dutch are famous for: Indonesian food! Here we are at a traditional rijstaffel. Although that specifically translates to "rice table", more apt would be "sumptuous feast"! Covering our table are perhaps thirty or so samplings of different dishes, all fantastically delicious. A small sampling of thirty dishes ends up equaling a lot of food on your plate! Audie's nephew Alan recently came back from an eight-month backpacking jaunt through southeast Asia, with stops in Indonesia, and says the Indonesian food in Holland is the best!
More of the rijstaffel in the beautiful city of Utrecht, with sister Maddi, nephew Alan, and our waiter. We had a number of very nice family dinners and socials with Maddi's friends while we were there. Visiting family or friends in a foreign locale certainly makes a trip extra special! Audie likes to joke that it always throws him for a loop to hear his sister and nephews conversing fluently in Dutch. It is amusing to watch family members talking freely in a language you can't understand!
I posted this picture on the other blog already, but it's my favorite picture from the Netherlands so I post it here again. This windmill is the same as the first picture on this posting. We awoke one morning in our guest cottage at Maddi's and this was the view from the window! I've seen lots of pretty sunsets in my life, but this is probably the nicest sunrise I've ever been witness to. 
There are many things to admire about the Dutch culture, and the bicycle lifestyle is certainly one of them. Bikes are everywhere, and with everyone riding bikes, they've got to park them somewhere, hence: bike parking garages! The one behind me is three stories high. 
Being so close, we also went to Belgium, to Antwerp, where we enjoyed famous Belgian beer and the most exquisitely delicious hot chocolate I've had in my life. 
4 comments:
Beautiful pictures of your trip - and houseboat living sounds quite enchanting! I think you've got the right idea to visit when the crowds are less - and to be able to appreciate all that wonderful art!
Jenny, you live a life many of us only can dream of! :)
Great to read what your impressions were of the country that has been home to me now for 38 years. One small comment: about the little car. No tall Dutchman will have to squeeze himself into it, it is basically the car version of a wheelchair, only for disabled (usually old) people and doesn't go much faster than a motorized wheelchair either (40 km. p/h max.). Obviously only to get around the village with, they aren't allowed on the highways.
Wow! I am so blown away! I thought the little car was pretty extreme, thinking along the lines of, "Gees! You'd be better off walking"
To discover it is a convenience vehicle for the disabled is truly amazing!
To be protected from the elements, easy to manuver and such, I would imagine it also gives the disabled a much better way to remain connected to the world around them, versus being homebound as the disabled and elderly often are.
Not to mention how much easier it must be to transport groceries home, go to doctor visits etc.
I must say, this is very impressive!
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