Weekend in Amsterdam

Well, what can you do in Amsterdam on the weekend and stick to the straight and narrow. You soon find out just because a business says it opens at a certain time, it may not. And just because it says it is open to the public, it may not be that day. My attempt to visit the Hermitage which is linked to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, ended with me only taking pictures of the outside. Then on to the University of Amsterdam to look at a public exhibit--no one was there to open the door. It seems a warm spring morning after a beautiful Friday night brings out the casual attitude of all, except German and American tourists.

Well I still found much to do. I bought a great book on art and started reading it. Found great inexpensive food, opened my hotel window and took a nap. Hey I’m on vacation. Headed out at night and took a few acceptable pictures.

Sunday was more successful as far as getting to and actually going into open museums and such. The Science Center called NEMO was fun--a great way to begin the day. NEMO is very hands on and I suspect in constant need of fixing. As the children arrived it became very active and the adults stepped aside.

The Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder is a good Sunday event as it has many nice rooms, but the highlight is a hidden Catholic church. There was a period in Amsterdam history where it was difficult to practice as a Catholic, thus the hidden church.

Next stop was The Old Church, it is just that very old - built around 1250, and it still has concerts and display and services. The church is in the "red light" area – so a good time to go is on a Sunday early in the day - don't have to see the sex trade.

I must say I did go into the Sex Museum, and photos were allowed, but it actually is somewhat amusing. It has very old stuff (1890 – 1940) and a major collection of Playboy magazines. Oh well, Amsterdam is somewhat like this – Church going next to Sex shops, but people still seem respectful of one another.
For pictures from the weekend go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27258&l=d315a&id=617928368

People of Amsterdam - May 2008

Most of the photos are of people in Amsterdam taken over a two week period. I thought some of you would enjoy. -

Follow the link for fun photos

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http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26771&l=194f5&id=617928368

May 23, 2008 Amsterdam - Rembrandt

Sharon was on the way back to the US and I was on my own. I set up a game plan for the week and began by heading for the Rembrandt house museum. I soon learned I missed my navigator. It was easy to get confused as the city follows canals; the major ones go around the city. But only certain streets will get you over other small canals to where you want to go.

The Rembrandt house was wonderful; you are blessed with a few photos inside till I was told no pictures. I got lucky while I was there to see a live demonstration in English of the procedure for making an etching plate and printing. Follow link pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26437&l=4707a&id=617928368

I found John Adams house by accident on my way to the Huis Marseille - Museum for Photography. I had lunch in the Jordan district and took pictures of the housing from the house boats to the apartments. Late in the day I headed for Vondelpark which turned into a very long walk and my feet still have the remains of the blisters a month later. Oh well, I ended the day at the Film Museum.

May 22, 2008 - Amsterdam

This is my (Sharon) last full day in Europe! We had our usual breakfast and left Haarlem for Amsterdam, stowed our luggage at the train station, and headed out to explore some more. We walked around the Begijnhof which is a living area for older single women of “good repute.” This was built in the 1400’s as a spiritual enclave and almshouse and at first was an island that later became part of the city as canals were filled in. Then it was off to the Historical Museum which had a very unusual layout with occasional films and interactive spots throughout. It followed the history of Amsterdam from the 1300’s till now. We were there a long time finally pulling ourselves away—it is a great museum.

We had lunch at a nearby café—toasted ham, cheese, and pineapple sandwiches with drinks. Then we got Allan checked into his hotel. He has a very small but complete room with a window overlooking a busy street and canal. The stairs are intimidating—so steep and so many of them!

After some more walking we waited for the train to take me to Schiphol Airport to fly back to Copenhagen and then home by way of Chicago and Orlando. Allan is on his own! For pictures from the day: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26324&l=511a0&id=617928368

May 21, 2008 - Haarlem - lazy day

May 21, 2008

Today is a day to relax—after our usual breakfast we were off to the laundromat. A young woman took our clothes and sent us on our way. First stop was the Tylers Museum. Pieter Teyler van der Hulst was fascinated by science and the arts and in 1778 left his estate to collect and promote them. We got audioguides (that was great since all the labels and explanations were in Dutch). The first 2 rooms were full of amazing fossils from all over the world. The mineral collection was very extensive. The oval room, built in 1704, is full of all kinds of physics instruments from the 1700’s—telescopes, microscopes, engines, etc. There is a beautiful painting collection from 1775 to 1850. A room has coins from 65 A.D. to 1900’s.

We gathered our laundry and stopped for lunch at the Best Coffee in Town Café topping it off with a paper cone full of French (Beligum) fries from the Friethuis de Vlaminck. I had the Dutch way with mayonnaise and Allan went American with catsup. We stopped by the huge V&D department store that has a great view of the city from the top floor dining area and found a birthday gift for Cole there.

Back at the hotel we checked the Internet and went our later for a vegetarian meal nearby. The weather is the warmest yet. Walking back to the hotel at 9:30 pm the sun was shining brightly!
For photos of the day go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26243&l=bd9cf&id=617928368

May 20, was one of those days as a couple we will always look back at with joy even though it involved much unexpected hard work.

For more pictures click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25992&l=1b7eb&id=617928368

Today was more of an adventure than we expected. Weather today was low 60’s, breezy, and mostly sunny. We took the train to Ede-Wageningen planning to take a bus to the Kroller-Muller Museum (about 10 miles away) only to find that the bus drivers were on strike. So, our only real option was to rent bikes. The bike man said it would take about 30 minutes (maybe for a Dutchman) but it took us about 2 hours. Luckily most of the ride was through woods on a nice bike path. This modern art museum was great—all those Van Gogh’s were wonderful to see and we were about the only ones there once a school group left. There were sculptures inside and out. We felt a little pressure to get going once the inside was done because the bike shop closed by 7 p.m. and we knew we had 2 hours at least to get back.

On the ride back through the woods we encountered what we think were some kind of military games as a jeep and truck with soldiers wearing ski masks and holding guns roared by and helicopters and jets flew overhead. This lasted about 45 minutes and one helicopter pass almost blew Allan off his bike!! We even heard gunfire! It was good to get back on the train after that!
Back in Haarlem we had a great dinner (pasta fruit of the Sea with many unusual small things that looked like tentacles and suckers and squid). It was delicious. Then we went to a free organ concert at St.Bavo Church. It started and ended with very weird modern discordant pieces and had Mendelsohn and Bach and 2 others in between. This was our chance to see inside this fantastic church that took 150 years to build (15th century gothic). It is one of the best known landmarks in Holland. The floor is paved with large slabs over graves. Painter Frans Hals is buried there. The pipe organ is 100 feet tall and very ornate. The arched ceilings are wooden and the stained glass windows beautiful.

May 19, 2008 Amsterdam - 1st time

We had our usual breakfast at the hotel—hardboiled egg on toast, granola cereal, oj for me and coffee, granola, toast for Allan.

We took the 15 minute train ride into Amsterdam and walked, walked, walked around the city. There is a lot of construction on major museums so we skipped the Rijks and Van Gogh today. Waiting lines to get in to limited rooms was 1 ½ hours we were told. So, we took a canal ride that was great—lasted about one hour going through the city canals and out into the harbor (slowed down by the Little Mermaid photo op).

Back on land we went to the Dutch Resistance Museum which was very interesting. This is an interactive museum and different exhibits made it clear what it was like to live in Holland during WW II. Just one of many interesting facts--people were starving near the end and many ate tulip bulbs to stay alive (the side effect was to turn the skin green). I would recommend this museum to anyone visiting Amsterdam.

After really good pizza at New York Pizza, we found the Anne Frank House and that tour also was very moving. Around the corner is a lovely statue of Anne in a small plaza.

We happened through the red light district (by mistake) on our way to have dinner and that was a bit outrageous with men inviting us to come in and see the live sex shows and photos of women everywhere in various poses and dress. There were a lot of shops with toys and sexy clothes. It was a bit early so the windows sat empty—no ladies of the night working yet. Somehow we resisted it all and kept on walking.

We had a nice dinner and then took the train back “home.” We got on the internet for the first time and read Ali and Cole’s blogs--saw great pictures of Cole and Dan becoming a Captain. That was so nice to see! For pictures from the day follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25878&l=6f12d&id=617928368

May 18, 2008 Haarlem

When we returned to Haarlem from Keukenhof we had time to go to the Frans Hals Museum. He was the foremost Dutch portrait painter of the 17th century and lived in Haarlem. In 1610 the museum was an alms house for old men. The huge group portraits were life sized and reminiscent of the Old Dutch Masters cigar box (for those of you old enough to know what I mean ). After the museum we walked to an Indonesian restaurant near the train station for a rijsttafel dinner. It was another beautiful day in Holland.
A few photos from the evening:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25769&l=a00b0&id=617928368

May 18, 2008 Keukenhof gardens - art

Keukenhof is also one of the oldest Sculpture Parks in the Netherlands. Some of the artist captured on film are Matteo Pugliese and Rene Julien.

For pictures of art follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25620&l=79a3a&id=617928368

May 18, 2008 Keukenhof gardens - flowers

Keukenhof – “The most beautiful spring garden in the world”

This was a place that was high on our list of places to visit when we decided to go to the Netherlands. When you think of Holland you think of windmills, wooden shoes, and tulips. Keukenhof is a historic park covered with tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and many other spring flowers. The park sets its opening and closing days by the weather. Since spring came early, it turned out that May 18 was the last day!
For pictures of the flowers click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25616&l=afcf8&id=617928368

Because of the many pictures of the flowers and the art of Keukenhof we have divided the postings into to two, then added a third for the evening back in Haarlem.

May 17, 2008 Travel Day

Sharon on the staircase of our hotel in Haarlem. For photos from the day go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25602&l=2d93b&id=617928368

Today was our travel day to The Netherlands. We awoke to our windiest day yet--the seas were quite rough with whitecaps as far as you could see. Our plane left late and we landed in Amsterdam where it was very gloomy and raining. The Big Red Bus took us to Haarlem where we settled into our nice big hotel room. We walked a bit around the town in the rain. In the center was a huge church and town square that was filled with stalls selling all kinds of stuff. We had pancakes (hugh crepes, mine with ham and Allan's with apple) at Pannenkoekhuis de Smikkel. After a short nap we headed out once more in the light rain. Our hotel owner had a birthday party that night and the guests were dressed in fantastic costumes from the 17 and 1800's! The music played into the night but we were so tired we fell asleep before it was over.

May 16, 2008 Frederiksborg Slot and more

What a day! We went to Hillerod, Denmark, and saw the most magnificent castle in all of Denmark (in my estimation) with a huge moat, working fountains, and formal gardens. Actually some of the castle (slot) is still used, but most is open museum that follows Danish history.

There are many pictures, 40 of the castle inside and out (we were allowed to take pictures on the inside without flash).

After a meal (see you got to eat) we drove up to Kullhuse to see where two fjords come together, Roskilde and Ise, a few pictures. We then stopped briefly at Jaegerspris Slot and walked around the grounds. It was closed being that it was late in the day and we had the place to ourselves.

Another fine day in Denmark. To see any or all of these pictures go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25170&l=05b26&id=617928368

May 15, 2008 Copenhagen - Rageleje Klit

We had another beautiful day in Denmark--the warmest yet (high 60's). We drove to Hillerod and took the train in. We had lunch in a small cafe. I had an omelet with potatoes and leeks and Coke "Light" while Allan had a sandwich and water (170 kroners--about $34). Nothing is cheap here! Earlier we had to get gas--8.8 gallons, a Coke and cup of coffee set us back $90!

We toured the Rosenborg Slot. It is major visual stimulation--so many tapestries, paintings, objet d'art, mirrors, marble, gilded furniture and frames (no pictures allowed inside). The grounds are peaceful, loaded with tourists and townies lying around, reading, eating.

We did a lot of walking around the city and eventually got to the harbor where the Little Mermaid sits watching the ships pass. It was worth the walk. We took the train nearby back to Hillerod, walking a bit on our beach before calling it a day.
For pictures from this day click on this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25060&l=6aef2&id=617928368

May 14, 2008 Frilandsmuseum - Open Air Museum

A beautiful clear, crisp day to be outside in an open air museum, this is a very large track of land that was set aside to preserve every type of Danish dwelling from early times to about 1901. That was the year it was moved here from Copenhagen when it got too big. Over 100 buildings.

The furnishings are still in the building. Some of the land is still being used with crops and small animals.

Pictured is a Danish windmill, for a picture of a Dutch windmill that was used in Denmark and photos from the museum click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25010&l=8f44d&id=617928368

Copenhagen, Denmark - May 13, 2008

Our first day in Copenhagen, we took a train into town and exited the busy main train station and started taking pictures of some of the landmarks.

We actually headed to the National Museum first and found out all the national museums are now free. We didn’t finish as we got hungry and found a café for lunch. It was in the square outside the Café that Sharon spoke to striking nurses. It turns out they have been on strike for three weeks. It seems socialized medicine has some draw backs. If you want or need an operation it maybe years before you get it. Of course, you can go to a private facility and pay for it. The nurses want equal pay to the private facility nurses. We signed their petition. (As an aside when I returned to Copenhagen on May 29 they were still on strike, and their huge canvas petition was rolled out in front of City Hall.)

You have to take a canal boat tour – it was fun and gives one a clearer idea of the city.

We walked through Christiania, the hippy “squatter” neighborhood. Strangely enough you are not allowed to take pictures. We walked and walked and walked till our feet wore out. The train ride was great back out to the country.

For a few Copenhagen pictures follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24884&l=392a4&id=617928368

May 12, 2008 Island of Gavno, Denmark

We set out for the Island of Gavno off the coast of Southern Zealand, Denmark. It was a pleasant drive as long as you follow signs pointing to the next major town.

We first stopped near our place in a little town of Valby to take pictures of the beautiful yellow fields. We tried to get the English name for the plant, but had no luck. The one lady told us they were harvested for oil. We think cooking oil? - Anyone know?

Lunch was had in the southern city of Naestved, before we drove over an old stone bridge and then a modern road to the 18th Century home of the owners of the Island of Gavno. The island has a long interesting history and the owners have thousands of artworks in the main home.

But to us the real joy was strolling in the magnificent grounds. The planting were traditional and free form, the smells were beyond description.

We drove the long way back and stopped briefly in Frederiksvaerk on the Arreso Sea, not to be confused with Frederikssund on the Roskilde Fjord which we visited later in the week.

For additional photos follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24868&l=7f4dc&id=617928368

Got to Eat

Well Denmark features smorgesbords - which are open faced sandwiches with hundreds of different options.

The Netherlands has a greater variety of choices, but fresh fish, epically Herring, and Indonesian rice dishes are some of the favorite.

Some pictures of the ones we sampled.

For pictures click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24785&l=d1f19&id=617928368

Sunsets in Zealand, Denmark

Almost perfect weather every night led to some great sunsets over Rageleje Klit on the Kattegat (in the old days this body of water was called the Nordic Sea). These are but a few of the sunsets.

for more photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24726&l=c65b9&id=617928368

Sunday, May 11, 2008

for additional photo's http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24717&l=6552b&id=617928368

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Today we saw some beautiful places quite near where we are staying. We went to the nearby fishing port of Gilleleje, the famous sandy beaches of Hornbock, and visited 2 castles (or slots as they are called). The Kronborg slot has a water moat, turrets, and dungeons and is very much a castle. The walk through the dungeons and other “basement” rooms was creepy! We could see Sweden from the ramparts. They still hold weddings in the castle church. It dates from the 1400’s. The interior was beautiful.

The Queen’s residence, Fredenborg Slot, has beautiful grounds that we walked around. The Normandsdalen (statue garden) was interesting. The weather is beautiful—clear, cool, high 60’s. The sunlight seems purer somehow—must be the low humidity. Sunrise is around 4 a.m., sunset around 9:20 p.m.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24703&l=6bb60&id=617928368 for additional pictures

May 9-10, 2008 Gainesville to Copenhagen

Off we went, via Orlando and London, finally arriving in Copenhagen, Denmark. There we had a rental car waiting for us - a stick shift Ford Focus diesel. What fun driving in a foreign country. It was all kilometers and “dem fart”, which we learned means “we know how fast you are going!” There were many other street signs we never learned the meaning of. Anyway it really was pleasant driving to our seaside retreat that evening. We found a little grocery store and bought our first loaf of bread and some cheese – really European now.