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Voorschoten, Netherlands

Well I'm actually back in NZ now, but I thought I had better finish up my Holland blogs. The second day I slept in to a ridiculous hour and made my way leisurely downstairs. I had to ask Ans how to work the shower. It is amazing how many different ways there are to work so many familiar things.

Ans and her two children (Warren, 9 and Ashleigh, 3) took me to Madurodam. Again, I had incredible difficulty pronouncing or even remembering this word when they said it to me. Warren carefully and slowly pronounced it for me, syllable by syllable. Then I saw it written down and remembered it instantly. I guess I'm a visual learner.

Madurodam is a miniature Holland. Many of the famous landmarks of Holland and streets etc are replicated at 1/25 of their actual size. The detail is very careful and exact.

It was an excellent way to 'see' a lot of Holland in a few hours.

For tea, we went to a very comfortable restaurant that Ans refers to as the 'Pancake House'. I'm sure it has a Dutch name...and equally sure she told me it...but have no idea what it is now. It had dark ceilings and was furnished in warm colours. In the centre of the room was a large, open fire with comfy chairs all around it. I sank into one of them and was instantly attacked by a kind of sleepy daze. It was with the most reluctance that I hoisted myself from the chair to go chase the kids around the playground before heading for home an hour or so later.

written by

Abby Benton on February 14, 2008 from Voorschoten, Netherlands

from the travel blog: UK

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Leiden, Netherlands

Today Ans' friend Linda showed me around Leiden. I felt very Dutch as I set off on a bicycle to see the sights - although certain parts of my anatomy felt the repercussions of sitting on a bicycle seat for a few hours! Leiden is a very old town and has Holland's oldest University in it. I know that Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill studied there. I was informed of this fact by Glen who tells me he signed his name between these guys in the sweat room (I think this room is where people studied, rather than a sauna!).

We saw Rembrandt's birthplace, where he went to school and where he began painting. There were almshouses, the city hall, the execution square, churches, something called a 'burcht' (probably spelled completely differently to that), windmills, canals, bicycles, houses, narrow streets....etc. It was an excellent afternoon. Linda knew just about everything and was able to keep me well entertained and interested all afternoon.

It definitely whet my appetite to see and learn more about the Netherlands.

I spent the rest of the day talking with Ans and trying to learn a bit of Dutch. I read an ad out of the newspaper and made her laugh a lot. Some sounds my brain refuses to hear and it is even less likely that my tongue can be forced to say them. However, I think I was progressing ever so gradually. It was lovely staying with Ans and Glen. It was very 'gezellig' as the Dutch term it...very comfortable and I was sorry I had to leave when I did.

written by

Abby Benton on February 14, 2008 from Leiden, Netherlands

from the travel blog: UK

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UK

a travel blog by Abby Benton

Day 2 of Holland

Voorschoten, Netherlands

last (boohoo) day of holland

Leiden, Netherlands