The Netherlands, 2011, part 2 |
Creating this album, I realised how busy I have been during my recent visit of my native country. It was not easy to make a selection of the ~ 700 pictures I have taken.
During my whole stay I had wonderful spring weather. When I arrived, spring just started. Within a few weeks there were flowers everywhere, the tulip fields, the cherry blossoms and when I left it was almost summer. I was really lucky.
Below first a trip through North Holland with its tulip fields, via Leeuwarden where I met an old friend, to Groningen where my brother and his family are living. It is one of my favourite towns.
After visiting the famous Groningen Museum I went back to Friesland, to Franeker to meet my brother Pim and Nanda, who had recently visited us in Malaysia. Franeker is a beautiful small town, with a glorious past. From 1585 to 1811, the city housed the University of Franeker, which was the second university in the Netherlands.
Both in Groningen and Friesland we made nice walks. There is a subtle difference between the countryside in both provinces...:-)
Back in Amsterdam in time for the Queen's birthday. I had arranged to meet friends in the Vondelpark, not a very smart move, with hundred-thousands of visitors. It is the biggest festival in the Netherlands and it was big fun as usual.
Next was a nice countryside walk with one of my former students. The Holland countryside has its own beauty. Many flowers, many birds.
About the visit of my British friends I will write a separate report later..:-)
Gouda was my next target, to visit an old friend and explore the town. I think I have never before visited so many highlights of Dutch town architecture during one visit..:-)
Finally I went to Brussels with my friend Inez, but that will also become a separate report. . |
Water tower and tulip fields |
Hyacinth fields 2 comments |
the Poldertuin 1 comment |
Orgy of colours |
Parrot tulip |
Various flowers |
Jacobijnekerk, Leeuwarden |
Leeuwarden architecture |
Stadhouderlijk Hof |
Beautiful spring weather |
Groningen, my brothers house |
Visiting family in Groningen |
Bloemetjesmarkt (Flower Market) |
Cactuses |
These are real flowers! |
Enjoying a "Lekkerbekje" |
Early 20th century architecture |
Blossom everywhere |
A proud uncle..:-) 2 comments |
Groningen countryside |
Romanesque church |
Another old romanesque church |
Nice frog |
Nice flowers |
Groninger Museum |
Intriguing exhibition by Chi Peng |
Friesland countryside |
Dandelions everywhere |
Dandelion seed head |
Typical Fries landscape |
Fun on the water |
The famous Friesian cows |
Could have been 50 years ago! |
Each hamlet has its church |
Another church |
Enjoying a beer after a long walk |
Spring blossom |
Crow's nests |
Franeker, kaatsbaan |
Cammingastins and Martini church |
Detail Martini church |
Franeker canal |
Townhall, built 1591-1594 |
Various architectural styles |
Typical Dutch gables |
More buildings |
Details |
More details |
Martena Stins, 1498 |
The Queen's Birthday |
Everybody wearing orange |
Crowd in the Vondelpark |
Children, playing music |
How to meet friends here? |
But we did! |
Traditional boat parade in the canals |
Busy traffic |
Holland countryside |
Horse chestnut blossom |
Typical Dutch windmill |
Visiting former school colleagues |
This was a Sunday school! 2 comments |
Nice house with "leibomen" |
Many birds, young and old 2 comments |
With Cathy and Neil in Delft |
Gouda townhall ~ 1450 |
Waag (Weigh house) 1667 |
Details of gate decorations |
Old house |
St Jans church (1530-1603) |
Interior and organ |
The famous stained glass windows |
More stained glass |
Former fish market |
With Inez in Brussels |
I visited many friends..:-) |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: Indeed a very beautiful country. Looking forward to you next album |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: I can spend days here. |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: Nice. Diagonal lines at bottom right and horizontal at the top. |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: Yes, it gives depth to the view. |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: oh...what a fairy tail school! |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: so cute...like a toy :) Beautiful country. |
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wrote on Jul 5, 2011: Well... great-uncle. But proud is he:-) |
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wrote on Jul 6, 2011: oh wow... i would love to study here!! ha ha.. hope u're well .. holland is such a beautiful country. Love the tulips!! |
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wrote on Jul 6, 2011: this is duck or birds ah? |
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Kwai Loh wrote on Jul 6, 2011: Top lef is a Mute Swan. Middle picture a young duck.To the right a Crested Grebe, my favourite bird..:-) Bottom picture are Grey Geese, adults and juveniles. |
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Dan wrote on Sep 12, 2011: Nice ... everything seems so clean and in order there, unlike Malaysia ... LOL. |
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