I would just like to start by apologising about my recent lack of updates. I thought that you may not want to read about the endless photocopying or the escapades of a drama class assistant. It even starting to get boring for me so I would hate to think what reading it is like. But I was quickly rejuvenated by holidays, travel, family and some fun here and there. So I have new stories to tell for my long absence and a sense of guilt from seeing a pile of my printed blog posts at my grandparents house.
The schools broke up for two weeks on Easter weekend, and we felt that it is important to make the most of the holidays while we have them. We first had to get through Easter, which could possibly have been tough away from family. But we were fortunately invited to lunch at a family of some of the kids we met. Their mom lived in South Africa for awhile and wanted to swap stories and experiences. Lunch turned into horse riding, horse riding turned into drinks in Amersfoort, Amersfoort turned into dinner and dinner turned into more drinks. Amersfoort is an ancient walled city and I was lucky enough to see some of the highlights. I would not say it was a traditional Easter celebration but it was a good day and one I will always remember and I was able to share it with some incredible people. Many thanks to the Smaakmans!
The next week was devoted to exploring a bit more of The Netherlands. Which started in the neighbouring town, Bussum. There was not really much there that is not in Hilversum but there was a hockey shop which tickled my fancy for what was probably too long. Netherlands is definitely the hockey capital of the world seeing a shop lined with hockey sticks and a practice field in the middle. But our real touring began the next day in The Hague (Den Haag), which is the parliamentary capital of Holland. We visited the historical museum and the oldest prison in Holland which dates back to the 1200's. The Hague is an ancient city which is encapsulated by Binnenhof Castle, yet there is a modern skyline with towers and an impressive modern architecture. It is an impressive city with history, culture, beauty and a good days fun, definitely somewhere I will return to. That day was also the start of The Hague's Kermis which is a fully kitted out carnival that goes over all of Holland at this time. I ate too much Carnival food, and lost a couple coins to games but I was able to get a better look at the city's skyline from 60 metres up on one of the rides. I just wanted to remind myself why I was not comfortable with rides. That was my first experience in the Hague
Binnenhof Castle
The first Thursday after Easter was a day of failed plans, stores were closed in Amersfoort, Rotterdam did not look possible and the pressure was on to make use of our time out from school. We decided to visit the Amsterdam Royal Artis Zoo. There is something strange about heading off to a different continent and then deciding to go see a lion or a zebra, which apparently are originally from my back garden. And it really is a shame to see some incredible animals in a cage and not roaming the lands like I am used to in the Game Parks of South Africa. I was still able to see some new and strange animals that I would never have the opportunity to see in my lifetime. The one that sticks in my mind might be the prairie dog, which is by no means a dog but some sort of Dassie and I would not be surprised to hear that it is the second closest relation to the elephant. Along with the 'dog' there were red pandas, sea lions, gorillas and many many more. (See Facebook photo's for a more in depth look). In the end it was an enjoyable day and it was officially starting to warm up here.
We had begun to tick of attractions at an alarming rate, and we carried on by seeing the world famous tulips in Keukenhof, Lisse. My host mother joined on the little excursion as she had never been to see the flowers, a bit like those Cape Townians who have never been up Table Mountain. I am by no means a flower person, I have even been known to make jokes about those who go searching for flowers. But this park was truly incredible. There were masses of tulips of different colours and arrangements and really displayed all the beauty of the the small flower. And where there were no flowers, there was an immaculate park, shows and little shops. The park is a truly great experience for everyone and it really is a shame that it is only open for a month and a half a year. It may have even opened my eyes to the joys of gardening but I won't let my dad get wind of that.
Keukenhof Gardens
The first week of my holidays ended with a truly eye opening experience and a cultural shock of note. Kings Day. Kings Day is a public holiday where the whole country celebrates the Kings birthday, and celebrate is what they did. The entire country dresses in Orange and heads to Amsterdam, or another city or one of the many festivals available on the Day. Drinking starts first thing in the morning and I am not sure it even ended that day but there were quite a few strugglers by the end of it. Traditionally people open up little garage-like-sales outside their homes or on the street, signifying there trading roots. But the day turns into one massive party. I found myself going to a music festival in the old Olympic stadium in Amsterdam. It was a great festival even though I was left dazed by the orange overdose. The highlight if the day was seeing my favourite South African band, Goldfish, halfway across the world. I have seen them many times before but this just seemed incredible. I will always remember the Dutch as those people I saw on that day, having a good time as a nation. The Day is an impressive event, and it leaves me wondering what would happen if our country celebrated our presidents Birthday and that thought leaves me worried.
That was the end of my first week of holidays. I now have a better perspective of the Dutch and their country and I am truly excited to see what else is on show in this unique nation. And there is still so much to come.
The schools broke up for two weeks on Easter weekend, and we felt that it is important to make the most of the holidays while we have them. We first had to get through Easter, which could possibly have been tough away from family. But we were fortunately invited to lunch at a family of some of the kids we met. Their mom lived in South Africa for awhile and wanted to swap stories and experiences. Lunch turned into horse riding, horse riding turned into drinks in Amersfoort, Amersfoort turned into dinner and dinner turned into more drinks. Amersfoort is an ancient walled city and I was lucky enough to see some of the highlights. I would not say it was a traditional Easter celebration but it was a good day and one I will always remember and I was able to share it with some incredible people. Many thanks to the Smaakmans!
The next week was devoted to exploring a bit more of The Netherlands. Which started in the neighbouring town, Bussum. There was not really much there that is not in Hilversum but there was a hockey shop which tickled my fancy for what was probably too long. Netherlands is definitely the hockey capital of the world seeing a shop lined with hockey sticks and a practice field in the middle. But our real touring began the next day in The Hague (Den Haag), which is the parliamentary capital of Holland. We visited the historical museum and the oldest prison in Holland which dates back to the 1200's. The Hague is an ancient city which is encapsulated by Binnenhof Castle, yet there is a modern skyline with towers and an impressive modern architecture. It is an impressive city with history, culture, beauty and a good days fun, definitely somewhere I will return to. That day was also the start of The Hague's Kermis which is a fully kitted out carnival that goes over all of Holland at this time. I ate too much Carnival food, and lost a couple coins to games but I was able to get a better look at the city's skyline from 60 metres up on one of the rides. I just wanted to remind myself why I was not comfortable with rides. That was my first experience in the Hague
Binnenhof Castle
The first Thursday after Easter was a day of failed plans, stores were closed in Amersfoort, Rotterdam did not look possible and the pressure was on to make use of our time out from school. We decided to visit the Amsterdam Royal Artis Zoo. There is something strange about heading off to a different continent and then deciding to go see a lion or a zebra, which apparently are originally from my back garden. And it really is a shame to see some incredible animals in a cage and not roaming the lands like I am used to in the Game Parks of South Africa. I was still able to see some new and strange animals that I would never have the opportunity to see in my lifetime. The one that sticks in my mind might be the prairie dog, which is by no means a dog but some sort of Dassie and I would not be surprised to hear that it is the second closest relation to the elephant. Along with the 'dog' there were red pandas, sea lions, gorillas and many many more. (See Facebook photo's for a more in depth look). In the end it was an enjoyable day and it was officially starting to warm up here.
We had begun to tick of attractions at an alarming rate, and we carried on by seeing the world famous tulips in Keukenhof, Lisse. My host mother joined on the little excursion as she had never been to see the flowers, a bit like those Cape Townians who have never been up Table Mountain. I am by no means a flower person, I have even been known to make jokes about those who go searching for flowers. But this park was truly incredible. There were masses of tulips of different colours and arrangements and really displayed all the beauty of the the small flower. And where there were no flowers, there was an immaculate park, shows and little shops. The park is a truly great experience for everyone and it really is a shame that it is only open for a month and a half a year. It may have even opened my eyes to the joys of gardening but I won't let my dad get wind of that.
Keukenhof Gardens
The first week of my holidays ended with a truly eye opening experience and a cultural shock of note. Kings Day. Kings Day is a public holiday where the whole country celebrates the Kings birthday, and celebrate is what they did. The entire country dresses in Orange and heads to Amsterdam, or another city or one of the many festivals available on the Day. Drinking starts first thing in the morning and I am not sure it even ended that day but there were quite a few strugglers by the end of it. Traditionally people open up little garage-like-sales outside their homes or on the street, signifying there trading roots. But the day turns into one massive party. I found myself going to a music festival in the old Olympic stadium in Amsterdam. It was a great festival even though I was left dazed by the orange overdose. The highlight if the day was seeing my favourite South African band, Goldfish, halfway across the world. I have seen them many times before but this just seemed incredible. I will always remember the Dutch as those people I saw on that day, having a good time as a nation. The Day is an impressive event, and it leaves me wondering what would happen if our country celebrated our presidents Birthday and that thought leaves me worried.
That was the end of my first week of holidays. I now have a better perspective of the Dutch and their country and I am truly excited to see what else is on show in this unique nation. And there is still so much to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment