Holland - Amsterdam, Groningen, Drenthe, North Sea Coast, etc.
Anna's entry:
Did not particularly care for Rotterdam... But the city was interesting enough from the modern architecture point of view. Very easy city to bike in, there is even a tunnel built specially for bikes that goes all the way under the harbor.
Rob with his old friends
On our way from Rotterdam to Amsterdam a cute story happened. We were cycling through a field and stopped to look at a map. A group of sheep stopped in front of us, and began slowly approaching us. We were puzzled about what was going on. Sheep were staring at our bikes first, as if asking us where we were from. Then, one after another they began smelling our bikes, bags, and us. We let them - they were looking at us with their big kind eyes, so how could we resist? Two of them took a special interest in my bike. They began rubbing their noses and heads over my wheel, and they seemed to be really enjoying it. After a few minutes the herd dispersed, and we proceeded with our cycling. The sheep bid us their good bye, and followed us with their eyes until we completely disappeared from their view...
Encounter with curious sheep video
We camped in a very nice place close to Amsterdam. Both Rob and I have been to Amsterdam several times, so we didn't spend that much time here. Actually, Rob lived here some time ago, so it was nice to bike/walk around and share some memories. Unfortunately, when we were in the City it was a pouring rain, so we had to cut our visit short. However, on our way back, we made another visit to Amsterdam, and had a wonderful time. We walked everywhere, visited all the familiar palces, had a cake right on a harbour, wine in park on the Leidsiplei, and of course the all famous fritas at Febo. It was great to finally visit Amsterdam together, which we both have so many memories about...
Beautiful canals of Amsterdam
They do wear wooden shoes!
Bike parking at the Central Station in Amsterdam
Red Light District (RLD)
Am'dam offers fantastic architecture & history
Croningen - this section is dedicated to a very special friend of ours Auke, who we met in Seattle about 10 years ago. We had a pleasure visiting Auke in his home in Slochteren, and were overwhelmed by his outstanding hospitality. Auke one of the kindest and easy going guys we've met, and we felt at home right away. On our way back from Germany we stopped to see him again, and it was like returning home. Auke took us everywhere, and we learnt so much about Holland and its people. His house is also built right in front of the historical mill, so the location was really cool! He has a beautiful garden and Frisian chickens, that are so cute. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, and it was so nice to spend time here. Auke also had a Birthday when we were visiting, so we got to meet his family and numerous friends. Auke - if you are reading this, please know that we would always remember our visit.
Our friend's home is behind this historic mill
Auke with his pet chickens
Cheers!
Nothing like a good camp fire
This part of the blog is the most challenging for me to write, actually I had to re-write it a couple of times. Holland has been the most controversial country for me during our cycling. On one hand, the beauty of the country is absolutely stunning - from coastal dunes to forests, from medieval cities to modern engineering miracles, from white sand beaches to romantic canals. Natural beauty is the part I fell in love with. On the other hand, I was disappointed with Dutch people. To put it blunt, I felt they seemed unhelpful, unfriendly, overindulged, and a little too much attitude (the latter refers mostly to women). An exception was the locals of Amsterdam who were refreshingly pleasant and helpful. The difference was apparent especially after we returned from Germany, where people were refreshingly friendly, helpful, approachable, and very polite. Also, in comparison to Belgium, where people would habitually wish us "Bon courage" which is a friendly way of encouraging someone in their travel endeavours, the Dutch would hardly ever reply to a normal "Hello". In France and Germany, drivers would give us half of the road to pass through, but in Holland, drivers would rarely stop to let us finish crossing the street. In Germany and Belgium when we would stop for a second to consult a map, momentarily someone would offer their assistance. In Holland, you could stand for hours, and no one would care. What is going on with the Dutch these days?? The country is rich, standard of living is very high, infrastructure is impeccable, the country's beauty is stunning, and yet, people see to be emotionally "constipated". What has happened to the country that has been for years considered one of the most progressive leaders of the world? Holland was among the first to accept and legalize prostitution as a profession, tolerate legalized drugs, honor gay rights and marriages, euthanasia, and embrace refugees from all over the world. But yet today, the country seems to lack an elementary friendliness, politeness or patience... I talked to one Dutch woman, highly educated, about my observations, who told me my perception was accurate, and she herself feels unhappy about people's attitude in her country. I asked her why there is so much negativity in Holland, and her reply was because there are too many immigrants. What can I say to that, coming from an educated person??? I could have told her, that during our cycling in Holland, Dutch immigrants were actually the ones who offered us assistance with directions, while the "native/non-immigrant" Dutch wouldn't spare a moment of their time. But, instead, I just listened to her reply... Her spouse (professor), by the way, chose to move his work from Holland to Germany, where people were nicer as he put it. I really don't know how to explain why Dutch are so different these days. Rob thinks it could be because of the over-population and the weather, I think maybe it is because there is too much of a good thing....
Return to Hook Van Holland via Drenthe and North Sea coast
We are on our way back, and will be catching a ferry back to the UK. This part of the trip offered fantastic scenery and more cycling adventure. I am so glad I was able to experience it. We encoutered a number of old historical castles, took a long ride through the dunes, took a "wild" bike path through the forrest filled with lavender fields, and observed a very cool sport kite surfing.
Camping on the North Sea coast
Lavender fields of Drenthe
Heading out for a picnic at a castle
Riding on the North Sea coast
In the dunes at the North Sea
Did not particularly care for Rotterdam... But the city was interesting enough from the modern architecture point of view. Very easy city to bike in, there is even a tunnel built specially for bikes that goes all the way under the harbor.
Rob with his old friends
On our way from Rotterdam to Amsterdam a cute story happened. We were cycling through a field and stopped to look at a map. A group of sheep stopped in front of us, and began slowly approaching us. We were puzzled about what was going on. Sheep were staring at our bikes first, as if asking us where we were from. Then, one after another they began smelling our bikes, bags, and us. We let them - they were looking at us with their big kind eyes, so how could we resist? Two of them took a special interest in my bike. They began rubbing their noses and heads over my wheel, and they seemed to be really enjoying it. After a few minutes the herd dispersed, and we proceeded with our cycling. The sheep bid us their good bye, and followed us with their eyes until we completely disappeared from their view...
Encounter with curious sheep video
We camped in a very nice place close to Amsterdam. Both Rob and I have been to Amsterdam several times, so we didn't spend that much time here. Actually, Rob lived here some time ago, so it was nice to bike/walk around and share some memories. Unfortunately, when we were in the City it was a pouring rain, so we had to cut our visit short. However, on our way back, we made another visit to Amsterdam, and had a wonderful time. We walked everywhere, visited all the familiar palces, had a cake right on a harbour, wine in park on the Leidsiplei, and of course the all famous fritas at Febo. It was great to finally visit Amsterdam together, which we both have so many memories about...
Beautiful canals of Amsterdam
They do wear wooden shoes!
Bike parking at the Central Station in Amsterdam
Red Light District (RLD)
Am'dam offers fantastic architecture & history
Croningen - this section is dedicated to a very special friend of ours Auke, who we met in Seattle about 10 years ago. We had a pleasure visiting Auke in his home in Slochteren, and were overwhelmed by his outstanding hospitality. Auke one of the kindest and easy going guys we've met, and we felt at home right away. On our way back from Germany we stopped to see him again, and it was like returning home. Auke took us everywhere, and we learnt so much about Holland and its people. His house is also built right in front of the historical mill, so the location was really cool! He has a beautiful garden and Frisian chickens, that are so cute. We talked a lot, laughed a lot, and it was so nice to spend time here. Auke also had a Birthday when we were visiting, so we got to meet his family and numerous friends. Auke - if you are reading this, please know that we would always remember our visit.
Our friend's home is behind this historic mill
Auke with his pet chickens
Cheers!
Nothing like a good camp fire
Our touring bikes on an easy day
A different kind of entry entry - A not-so-happy Holland?
Note for our good friend in Slochteren. Auke - if you read this, sorry for being so harsh about the Dutch, this does not apply to you or your family in any kind - you have treated us in the most pleasant, caring, kind, and friendly manner, and we feel so fondly about our visit! But, comments below are my observations, and I have to stay true to them.This part of the blog is the most challenging for me to write, actually I had to re-write it a couple of times. Holland has been the most controversial country for me during our cycling. On one hand, the beauty of the country is absolutely stunning - from coastal dunes to forests, from medieval cities to modern engineering miracles, from white sand beaches to romantic canals. Natural beauty is the part I fell in love with. On the other hand, I was disappointed with Dutch people. To put it blunt, I felt they seemed unhelpful, unfriendly, overindulged, and a little too much attitude (the latter refers mostly to women). An exception was the locals of Amsterdam who were refreshingly pleasant and helpful. The difference was apparent especially after we returned from Germany, where people were refreshingly friendly, helpful, approachable, and very polite. Also, in comparison to Belgium, where people would habitually wish us "Bon courage" which is a friendly way of encouraging someone in their travel endeavours, the Dutch would hardly ever reply to a normal "Hello". In France and Germany, drivers would give us half of the road to pass through, but in Holland, drivers would rarely stop to let us finish crossing the street. In Germany and Belgium when we would stop for a second to consult a map, momentarily someone would offer their assistance. In Holland, you could stand for hours, and no one would care. What is going on with the Dutch these days?? The country is rich, standard of living is very high, infrastructure is impeccable, the country's beauty is stunning, and yet, people see to be emotionally "constipated". What has happened to the country that has been for years considered one of the most progressive leaders of the world? Holland was among the first to accept and legalize prostitution as a profession, tolerate legalized drugs, honor gay rights and marriages, euthanasia, and embrace refugees from all over the world. But yet today, the country seems to lack an elementary friendliness, politeness or patience... I talked to one Dutch woman, highly educated, about my observations, who told me my perception was accurate, and she herself feels unhappy about people's attitude in her country. I asked her why there is so much negativity in Holland, and her reply was because there are too many immigrants. What can I say to that, coming from an educated person??? I could have told her, that during our cycling in Holland, Dutch immigrants were actually the ones who offered us assistance with directions, while the "native/non-immigrant" Dutch wouldn't spare a moment of their time. But, instead, I just listened to her reply... Her spouse (professor), by the way, chose to move his work from Holland to Germany, where people were nicer as he put it. I really don't know how to explain why Dutch are so different these days. Rob thinks it could be because of the over-population and the weather, I think maybe it is because there is too much of a good thing....
Anna's entry:
Return to Hook Van Holland via Drenthe and North Sea coast
We are on our way back, and will be catching a ferry back to the UK. This part of the trip offered fantastic scenery and more cycling adventure. I am so glad I was able to experience it. We encoutered a number of old historical castles, took a long ride through the dunes, took a "wild" bike path through the forrest filled with lavender fields, and observed a very cool sport kite surfing.
Camping on the North Sea coast
Lavender fields of Drenthe
Heading out for a picnic at a castle
Riding on the North Sea coast
In the dunes at the North Sea
Kite Surfing video
posted by Rob and Anna @ 1:23 PM
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