Day 3: The Fantastic Hague and Delft

Thursday - May 14, 2009


Watch out for the bikes! Bikes are everywhere. Rush hour in Amsterdam is a bike rush hour and crowded trains and buses.

Our biggest challenge has been our "rainshower" in our room. You can not turn on the water until you are inside the shower. When you do turn on the water, it rains cold water on your head until the water heats up to the temperature you have set. Of course the temperature is in Centigrade and you need glasses to read the fine print on the control. At least the hotel put a cotton bathmat in the shower because it is too slippery without it. We are ready for a bathtub.
We took a train to the Hague. There was a transfer involved, however the level of detail in our Rick Steves books and our willingness to ask questions got us to the right place.

The art work at the Mauritshuis was amazing. The three Vermeers were the highlight. Girl with a Pearl Earring is so much more vibrant when you see the painting. Prints can not capture the luminosity. The View of Delft is a very famous Vermeer. The works by Rembrandt, Steen and others were wonderful. This is a museum well worth the trip.





We had wonderful brie and goat cheese salads at Cafe Lunden in the Hague. Rozanne had mint tea. They made it by putting fresh mint leaves in a tea cup and pouring in hot water.

We traveled to Delft by Tram.
The Royal Delft shop was great - we spent a lot of time looking at all the collections and bought many gifts here.

Delft is a cozy town to explore. We followed streets along the many canals.

Dinner was Dutch Pancakes (Pannenkoeken)served on a canal boat by our restaurant. I had a farm special with cooked vegetables and cheese - delicious. We tasted Dutch gin and drank more cassis.

Delft would be a nice town to spend a night. People are friendly and helpful. It is smaller and less traveled than Amsterdam.

The Netherlands have been a restful treat. Everyone can speak English. We have asked directions many times and have been answered with friendly smiles.

Goodnight again. Tomorrow we see the great art museums in Amsterdam and a concert at the Van Gogh Museum.

Rozanne and Janet