So, leaving Posterholt, it was off to Amsterdam for drugs and debauchery culture and sightseeing.
It’s a funny old place really, and a lot of the houses seem to be just about to fall over… (even more so since they put in a tunnel and didn’t adequately check for subsidence!)
Two things you might notice in the above photo. The rubbish – ‘cos the cleaners are on strike – and, way harder to see (might even be impossible at that resolution) – most of the houses have hooks at the very very top. See, if you want to move house – the way to do it is to winch it up via those hooks (and a rope you can hire from the council??! I think)
Anyway – went for a wander through the streets. I was just taking a picture of some canals (not this pic)…
… when Maaike said “Perhaps you shouldn’t – we’re in the red light district. I had actually been quite oblivious (just thought it was a little seedy). However, when you actually look about and see the girls purveying their wares in the windows – well, it’s quite obvious where you are. Slightly unsettling too.
What was more unsettling was going to the World Press Photography exhibition in the old church. This picture of a young Israeli man throwing wine over an old Palestinian woman was, I thought, horrendous. Not as brutal as many of the other photo’s – but it’s incredible what humanity can do. Or – what humanity can be taken from people.
Sigh, anyway – Amsterdam was a groovy city – would be fun to spend some more time there perhaps!
For the last couple of days we had more tours through lovely little villages in the general area.
I think that’s what I enjoy most about olde Europe – the fact that everything is a hodge podge of whatever has lasted this long – I mean just check out all the funny roofs..
Also – on the canals – at least this one – Windsurfing is strictly prohibited. No sense of adventure at all!
There were lots of airplanes shot down in this area in WW2 – and there are memorials all over the place.
We also visited a bunker near a convent – that had a chapel in it – all quite eerie. Did however manage to make the best ever drop sound (for me at least)
Also – they don’t play mini-golf in this country – they play Midget golf. It was a close run game, Maaike tells me she threw it to make me happy – but I frankly don’t believe that’s true. Who would do such a thing?
Then it was off to Maastricht where the treaty that formed the European Union took place. We met up with a friend of Maaike’s (and mine) from TCD – Eefje (who travelled with Maaike in NZ– many moons ago).
Maaike’s parents took us on a walk about and to a Belgian Beer garden (in Belgium – where it’s cheaper) for a beer.
This marker is part of the Grand Randoneé network of huge walks throughout continental Europe. From here you can walk 2512km down to Nice (it would be, wouldn’t it ;)
We also visited an old fort where there was an interpretive centre attached. There were some interesting stories etc… and also, it turns out, time for our first poll in quite a while. Maaike is hidden somewhere in this picture… is she on the Left, in the middle, or on the right…? Vote now.
[poll id=”1″]
Then it was time for a walkabout in the city. It really had a very nice feel to it actually – with a big amusement park installed in the centre (temporarily). Also, the traffic lights have achieved gender equality here.
The only bad thing about this trip really, is that saying goodbye to friends can be a little hard – it really is the downside of living in NZ. That said, I’m sure given time that NZ will become more and more of a desirable place to live – and then we’ll be having lots more visitors!
Next it was off for the summit attempt of the holiday. Preparations were made: Sherpas enlisted, Oxygen masks bought, donkeys hired, food dumps dropped in by air…
The day dawned crisp and chill. The 2 am start was hard, but needed – have to get to the top before the ice starts to melt. Crampons pulled on, grim determination set on our faces. Off we set.
The most dangerous / difficult part *by far* was crossing past the man with the crank handled music playing device just before reaching the summit – and close by – the triple point of where Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands meet.
Just time for the obligatory summit photo (and video) (322 POINT FIVE metres), before descending to a safer altitude.
Then went for an enjoyable walk through lovely woodland forest. I must say, Meneer Jongerius’ navigation skills were actually quite impressive. We walked through paths seldom trod – and had a yum picnic (more Boursin – can’t beat that stuff).
And on the way back we dropped into Maaike’s summer house – where I took a short video of the place.
After arriving back from our cycling trip – it was time to see the surrounds of Maaike’s Southern part of The Netherlands. First stop was Roermond which is the principal city in the area. Now, historically (and currently I suppose) the Northern part of The Netherlands was protestant – and the Southern part Catholic. Certainly the picturesque city was full of statues. Here’s a model of the city…
In the city there were lots of wells. Each well had its own protecting statue – I suppose the bigger the statue the more prosperous the area..?!
We also went into the Munsterkerk – which was a stunning building built (or started at least) in 1410.
And it also had one of the most gruesome statues of Christ that I have ever seen.
And a video of the inside of the cathedral.
And one of the more… feminine? statues of Mary that I have ever seen (not in the Cathedral)
We also visited a graveyard nearby. This was quite an interesting place – it was split into sections for Catholics, Jews, Protestants and Non religious. Also, as it’s such a desirable place to be buried – you basically rent space (20 years at a pop I think). You can also buy a plot if you’re rich enough. Quite odd – probably happens in other places – but I for one haven’t seen that before.
There’s also a beautiful example of marriage cross-religious boundaries. I’ve forgotten the lineage of the people, but presumably important and rich – and one a Catholic and the other a Protestant. They couldn’t get buried in the same part of the cemetery, but they did get buried one on either side of the wall – and shook hands over the top. Lovely.
One of? the routes to Santiago de Campostella goes through Roermond.. quite the pilgrimage.
Recent Comments