December 28th - Leiden

The sun is out!  There's blue sky!  Can't waste this so I hurry to get ready to go out.  Just have to decide where to go to take advantage of this good weather.  It's still windy and cold once I get outside but it's so nice to see the sun.  It doesn't get light until 08:30 here. 

 

I decide to hop the tram and go to the Hague Tower.  I passed it the other day and realized it was something I had read about.  Apparently from the top there is a fantastic view of the area.  You can see for miles.  After having a little difficulty finding the correct door in to the building I discover it doesn't open until noon.  It's 10:30 so I head back to the centre of town and go to the visitor's information in the library in order to print my ticket for the Peace Palace that I bought online.  After doing that I walk around and then head back to the Hague Tower.  42 floors.  I go to the top and decide to have lunch there.  A bit of a splurge but heh...I'm only going to do it once.  I order a glass of Prosecco and a Penthouse Burger.  With a miniature bottle of water and tip there goes 30 euros.  Yikes!  After I finish my lunch I am told there is a balcony you can go out on and take pictures.  Yup! 42 floors up and the floor is like open grate.  Scary!!

I then head back to the train station and hop the train to Leiden which is only about 20 minutes away.  Now normally this would only cost 3.50 euros each way but I misunderstood and didn't "tap" my card when I boarded the train.  Bang!  There went 20 euros off my card!  I went to the train information people and they were very nice but said they couldn't do anything about it and I would have to call in and they would fix it.  Great.  When I got home I called....20 minutes on hold and then I got the nicest person who said they could refund my 13 euros....all I needed was a Dutch bank account??  Really??  They can't put it back on my credit card that I used to load the card?  They can't credit my transit card?  She asked that I call back when I get the account number of someone who has a Dutch account....well I'll get right on that!  Say goodbye to another 13 euros.  This is getting to be an expensive day.

I walk in to Leiden which is very picturesque. I see that there is a company that provides boat rides on the canals so I thought this would be a good way to see the general area.  It was an hour long and was quite nice.  They had the boat enclosed so it was warmer than walking about.  I was the only one that didn't speak Dutch so the fellow operating the boat had to repeat everything in English just for me. 

Would you believe the Hudson's Bay department store is here in the Netherlands??  Here it is in Leiden and there is one in Den Haag.  I thought it was only in Canada eh?

By the time I was back on land it was getting dark so it's time to head back to Scheveningen.  Train to Den Haag and then tram to Scheveningen.  I remember to tap in, tap out.  Not going to screw that up again.  At the train station in Den Haag they have a Starbucks so I decided to get my souvenir now.  A Starbucks mug from Den Haag.  Every time I have my coffee once I am home I will remember my trip.

Dec. 27th - Scheveningen

Today I stay close to home and walk down Keiserstraat to the beach....it's blowing but the rain is holding off.  The wind off the North Sea is so cold.  The people are hardy here.  They act like it's a walk in the park while I'm trying to keep my teeth from chattering.

There are all sorts of art work along the way...metal sculptures that are so cute. 

I walk past the Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus which sits so majestically on the beach. 

I can't resist taking more pictures of the pier and the ferris wheel. 

I walk all the way to the pier and decide to brave the wind and walk the length of the pier to check out the ferris wheel.  They also have a Budgee Jump on the end.  The ferris wheel is operating. 

It is enclosed....sort of like the London Eye so they can use it year round.  I pass on going on it as they don't post the cost...if it's not posted I can't afford it.

After leaving the pier I check out the Ice Sculptures at Ice Expo. 

10 euro to get in and when I hesitate the woman throws in a hot chocolate (with whipped cream) to seal the deal.  Obviously they are trying to get people to go and after checking it out the best part of the exhibit was the hot chocolate! 

I walk back down the beach and as I get further east the music is getting louder and louder.  I have to see why this music is pumping and all I can see is a mountain of shipping pallets and several young men scurrying over the surface pulling the pallets this way and that. 

I stop and ask someone what is going on and they inform me this is the preparation for New Year's Eve.  They do it every year.  At midnight on December 31st they will light this mountain of wood for a gigantic bon fire!!!  Haven't they heard of air pollution?  No outdoor burning?  Obviously not.  Don't think I'll be attending on New Year's Eve but I'm sure I'll hear it!  They love fireworks/firecrackers here.  Seems to go with Xmas and New Year's.  I thought once I got past Halloween I was safe but not here....stay tuned, more to come!

I then go to find a seafood place that is supposed to be good for take out.  It's not far from the place I'm staying at.  It's called Het Haringhuisje.  Herring is very popular here but I haven't got the nerve to order a plate and try it.  Apparently you hold the herring up by the tail and lower it into your mouth.  The only part you don't eat is the tail.  I stayed safe and ordered fish and chips (boring!).  It was okay but nothing to write home about....wait a minute...aren't I writing home about it???

Before I collapse I stop by the grocery and stock up for the next few days.  Found my favorite Crème Brulee.  Yum!  Just like the ones I used to get in Vence.  Home I go....I'm done for the day.

Boxing Day...

I was told by one local that they didn't have Boxing Day but then today I was told it's just referred to as the day following Christmas.  It's pretty well celebrated as a holiday with most stores and restaurants remaining closed.  The sun is starting to come out and there is blue sky so I am heading out.  Got to take advantage of the sun when it's here.  It's cold though!!  The wind is blowing big time but no one seems deterred by it.

I catch the tram to head to Madurodam.  This is actually a war memorial in memory of a war hero and resistance fighter George Maduro.  He died in 1945 in a concentration camp after being captured by the Germans.  The Madurodam is a park based on true Dutch stories that are related through miniatures.  It's amazing and a great place for kids as they can interact and learn.  Santa was there too!

These miniatures are so life like

This Santa was so friendly!

After viewing the park I hop back on the tram and go to the beach.  I want to take advantage of the sun and blue sky.  It's freezing and blowing like crazy.  I check out the Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus which is right on the beach.  It's a beautiful building.  I then get blown along the beach to the pier complete with ferris wheel.  They also have a slide set up that kids can ride down the icy surface on inner tubes. 

Kids sliding on inner tubes

The pier is enclosed and houses several shops and places to eat.  It's so busy that I decide to leave and catch the tram to Delft before the day ends.

It takes about 30 minutes to get to the historic center of Delft.  It's really quite beautiful with all the canals and old buildings. 

Canals are so picturesque!

The main square in Delft

 

Fantastic cheese shops

I wander around and decide to go into a pub for a mulled wine and bowl of soup.  It's nice to get out of the wind and I think I will return on another day to take my time wandering some of these quaint streets.  Back on the tram and I'm back home.  Snug as a bug.

Christmas Eve

I caught the tram downtown to the Central stop as I want to tour the Binnenhof and the Knight's Hall. This is the place where the most important events in the nation's history took place.  I walk through the front entrance and all around but can't find an entrance.  I speak to a couple of men that are supplying information and am told that I need to go to another building and sign up for a tour.  After doing this I have some time to kill so I go to the Mauritshuis Museum.  This is the museum that houses Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring".  I had seen this painting in several places so had to see it at the museum.  This was a great museum and I really enjoyed it.

The Mauritshuis Museum



View from window in museum

This painting is quite famous. The Girl With The Pearl Earring

I then on my tour of the Binnenhof at 2 p.m. 

The Inner Court Yard

The Knight's Hall

Inside the Knight's Hall

We climbed up the tower in the Knight's Hall which was originally built as a hunting lodge.  A lot of history here.  The whole complex has had additions and renovations done over the years to create what it is today.  We then went into where the House of Representatives to see where all the politics go on.  I then walked about .5 km and came across the Christmas Market! 

I was so glad I found it.  It was huge and really nicely done.  I stopped for some hot mulled wine and then left.  I was pretty tired at this point.  It was a good day.  Took the tram home.

December 24/17
Went walking down at the beach.  Today there is a strong, cold wind blowing.  These people are so hardy.  Everyone just looks like they're out for a Sunday stroll...joggers in shorts!  A woman riding her bike in a short skirt and kids running around like it's a summer day.  No one seems to put the hood of their coat up.  I did for a while to keep the wind out and then felt like a jam tart so put it back down again.
Found the restaurant/seafood shop called Simonis.  Wow!  What a find.  Really popular and especially on Xmas eve with everyone picking up great seafood for their dinners.  Lobster, king crab, fish, etc.  Wonderful!  I decide to have something to eat so go over to the restaurant part and order a bowl of lobster soup.  So good....and such a large bowl for 6.5 euros.  I could barely finish it.  I then bought some clams and a shrimp quiche for dinner later.



Outside Simonis Restaurant



Lobster Soup



What a spread!

Stopped at the local supermarket and bought some garlic for my clams and headed home.
Cooked up my clams with lots of butter and garlic.  Yum!  Then decided since it was Christmas Eve I had to do something so caught the tram back in to town and went to a Christmas celebration at the theatre by the Christmas market.  It was supposed to be non denominational and we sang Christmas carols.  Wasn't really my thing but I did meet a couple from Vancouver who had just moved to Den Haag!  I left as soon as it was over and got home around 10 p.m.

Dec. 25/17
Merry Xmas to me.  Had a very relaxing morning watching old movies (on a rare English channel) in my PJ's until around noon.  Finally decided I'd better get some fresh air and exercise so thought I'd check out an area called Frederik Hendriklaan.  It's about a 20 minute walk and when I arrive there it's such a pretty street and neighbourhood.  Lots of great shops but of course it's all closed since it's Christmas day.

I walk along the water on the way back and decide that I'll visit the shopping street again when it's open.  Tonight I Face Time with family.  Christmas is over and now it's the New Year drawing near.

Moved in to my housesit

This morning I saw Marga off on her vacation.  I then went back to the hotel and had a wonderful breakfast before checking out.  Did I mention I saw Bono at the hotel?

While at breakfast I met a lovely woman by the name of Jenn.  She is originally from Chicago but living outside of Munich with her husband and 3 year old son.  She is a musician and is in Scheveningen performing.  She plays piano and sings.  She loves Sheveningen as she lived here for 2.5 years.  We chatted for a while and after sharing that I do housesitting she asked for one of my cards as they have a dog and two cats that sometimes she has trouble finding someone to take care of them.  I'd love to go there!  Perhaps in the future.
I pack up, check out and take the tram over to Marga's.  The tram system here is wonderful. 

The town is so clean and feels so safe.  I love it.  I've settled in now and will probably take a different tram this afternoon and see some sites.  The fog appears to be lifting so I look forward to seeing the beach finally.

Here is Kami.  A beautiful Siamese.  So friendly and affectionate.

I travel by tram in to Den Haag to look around.  Canals just like Amsterdam.

Lots of shopping in downtown Den Haag.  All dressed up for Xmas!

Bikes are definitely the way to go....nothing fancy...no 20 speeds...just plain old peddle power and no one wears helmets!  Most people don't even lock their bikes up.  Wow!

Beautiful doors....the department of Justice building.

Department of Justice building or Binnenhof (which means inner court).  This is the political heart of the Netherlands.