Holland 2019

We met Imad and Wafa in Amsterdam and together we made a roadtrip through Holland, Germany and up to Bjerringbro. This trip was agreed during our visit to Washington last year.

Bullewijk Station
Bullewijk StationWe had found a hotel outside the center, but near motorway and Metro station. We bought a 2-day ticket, which was a good investment with all our trips.
Canal tour
Canal tourOur first morning in Amsterdam was stormy and rainy. We therefore boarded a tour boat, from where we saw - through the rainy windows - the canals, houseboats and pretty merchant houses in Amsterdam.
Strolling windy Amsterdam
Strolling windy Amsterdam
Amsterdam canals
Amsterdam canals
Houseboat
Houseboat
Imad and Wafa
Imad and WafaOn a bridge with a Lebanese restaurant in the background, where we had a very good dinner with all our favorite dishes.
Lebanese food
Lebanese foodMixed grill with kufta, chicken and kebab.
Amsterdam street
Amsterdam street
Imad smoking a cigar
Imad smoking a cigar
Søren smoking a cigar
Søren smoking a cigar
Johan Cruuff Arena
Johan Cruuff ArenaOnly one stop from our Metro station, so one morning I walked to see this great place.
Johan Cruuff Arena
Johan Cruuff ArenaThis is Ajax' home field, and it looked very organized for the fans to enter the complex.
Johan Cruuff Arena Metro
Johan Cruuff Arena MetroJust opposite the arena is the entrance to the big Metro Station, with direct access ramp to the Arena.
Zaanse Schaans
Zaanse SchaansWe took a bus to this open-air museums-site, where the typical houses and windmills from the area has been brought together and put into operation again.
Clogs
ClogsWe saw manufacturing of clogs as well as exhibition of many different designs - this elaborate set of decorated clogs is used for weddings.
Clogs
ClogsColorfull
Windmills
Windmills
Windmills and munks from Sri Lanka
Windmills and munks from Sri Lanka
Merchant houses
Merchant houses
Albert Heijn
Albert HeijnIn this house a replica of the first shop was shown
Albert Heijn
Albert HeijnThis large supermarket group was founded by Albert in 1887 with a capital of 70 Guilder. The group now has 1000 shops in Holland. The lady told us that it no longer belongs to the family, since the last Heijn died without any children.
Spices
SpicesMany of the windmills are still in operation - in this one spices are milled. The spices were mainly for cakes and biscuits, but also mustard and snuff.
Windmills
WindmillsIn 1850 there were more than 600 mills in this area, sawing timber, pressed oil and grind flour, spices and dyes. The dyes were used by the famous Dutch painters like Rembrandt and van Gogh.
Windmills
WindmillsAnother windmill manufactured the paper, on which was printed the original American Declaration of Independence of 1776.
Windmills
WindmillsIn the background lies the windmill sawing timber - a nice smell around there and no noice fro the processing.
Cheese
CheesePresentation of the basic way to produce cheese - a special session for a large group of Chinese visitors.
Leiden
LeidenWe stayed in a hotel connected to a local castle.
Meeting with more friends
Meeting with more friendsRuud and Hennie had come to meet us in Leiden - it was great to se them again and in such good shape.
Lunch in Leiden
Lunch in LeidenWith Ruud, Hennie, Søren, Wafa and Imad
Leiden
LeidenRuud, Hennie and Wafa
Leiden
Leiden
Leiden
LeidenPittoresque canals and harbour
Imad smoking a cigar
Imad smoking a cigar
Imad offering me a cigar
Imad offering me a cigar
Katwijk Beach
Katwijk BeachA little empty this windy afternoon, but it was only 20 km from our hotel in Leiden, so we went there for a seafood dinner.
Katwijk Beach
Katwijk BeachSearching for a good restaurant
Imad with fish plate
Imad with fish plate
Hoorn
HoornAn important harbour in the Dutch Golden Age. In 1616, the explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten braved furious storms as he rounded the southernmost tip of South America, he named it Kaap Hoorn (Cape Horn) in honour of his home town. The statue depicts Jan Pieterszoon Coen, who 400 years ago founded Batavia in Java, Indonesia. He became the governor-general and on behalf of the Dutch East India Company he ruled the country.
Hoorn
HoornHarbour
Hoorn
HoornPlenty of sheep and lamb on the dykes.
Workum
WorkumWe made a stop for lunch in another old port, Workum.
Workum
WorkumDutch lady with fish, piglets and eggs at her feet
Westerstede
WesterstedeOn our way north we stopped for the night in Westerstede, famous for the rhododendron. Unfortunately we were just too late to see the blooming. Benthe and I are here walking in the beautiful city park established on the old market area.
View
ViewOur hotel was right in the center, with a view to the Rathaus (Town Hall)
Spargel
SpargelWe did not get disapointed as they had still asparges on the menu.
Hamburg
HamburgThe rain had started again, but we spend the afternoon in Hamburg
Hamburg Elb-tunnel
Hamburg Elb-tunnelThe old tunnel under the Elbe river. We had to take the lift down - like the daily commuters by bicycles and cars do - a could then walk under the river.
Imad taking a picture in Hamburg
Imad taking a picture in Hamburg
Benthe taking a picture in Hamburg
Benthe taking a picture in Hamburg
Flensburg
FlensburgWe stopped at the harbour for lunch
Wafa enjoying her coffee
Wafa enjoying her coffee
Imad enjoying his cigar
Imad enjoying his cigar
Breakfast in Bjerringbro
Breakfast in BjerringbroThe weather had improved so we could take the breakfast at the terrace in the garden
Goodbye
GoodbyeAfter this pleasant and interesting roadtrip we had to say goodbye to Imad and Wafa on the train station in Bjerringbro.
Kaukasus 2019Marokko 2019