Aug 11, 2012 - Driving in Holland.....bikes and cars.

The types of bicycles you see in Holland are like nothing we have in the States. EVERYONE has a bike and they are all built for cargo: kids, groceries, building supplies etc. Willemijn has a "buckfiets" a big bike with a wooden wheelbarrow type arrangement on the front. All bikes have both back and front carriers capable of taking at least 2 other humans, be it baby or adult. I am no longer surprised when a guy zooms buy with 2 bags of groceries, a baby and a large toddler on his bike! All going 30 miles an hour in heavy traffic. SO I take...

Aug 10, 2012 - Oxford to London to Holland...whew.

....and so I find myself in Haarlem, the Netherlands.....having another of what my friend Gloria calls "a moment". Totally overcome with gratitude for the wonderful folks who are letting us stay and the folks that have helped us on our way. For example: within hours of arriving in Haarlem, my cousins neighbors came over and offered us their bikes to get around on all week as they were just leaving on Holiday. Americans might not understand this but in Holland, giving someone your bike is like giving them your CAR! They are absolutely...

Jul 6, 2012 - In Haarlem

A short rain shower about 7:30 seemed to cool the temperature down and we really enjoyed the cooler morning! Would you believe that a young cat jumped into our room's window about 8:10 – from a nearby roof? It 'talked' to me so naturally I picked it up and it purred. He wore a collar and obviously was well cared for as he was very calm and friendly. He must have been out exploring; in about 10 min. he jumped onto the window sill and out to a chair on the small porch outside our room. Made my day to have such a visit! Learned the Market...

Jul 5, 2012 - Haarlem, Holland

Enjoyed a lovely hotel farewell breakfast with 6 of our Rvers before we all had to go our separate ways to planes and trains. Just before we left our room to go to breakfast we got a call from Dieter saying there had been a big mixup on taxis; could we pay for the taxi taking Harold and Verna and us to the train station and he would reimburse us. Of we would do! I sent out a blog message warning that we might not be updating our travel blog for about 2 weeks as Wifi may not be available or affordable in the next hotel or on our Vantage...

Sep 25, 2011 - Haarlem, Netherlands

Took the train to Haarlem, walked toward the hotel. Cobblestones not quite as bad. Found Beecher and Darlene sitting at an outside table at a little cafe right across from the Ambassador Hotel. Then we checked in, and then we wandered around, finding out that the Capitol One debit card doesn't work in Haarlem, either. Oh well. We met up with our tour group, got briefed, took a break, then went on a quick walking tour of Haarlem. Then we had a nice dinner.

May 26, 2011 - Trip to Haarlem, Netherlands

Today we took a trip to Haarlem via train. The train left Amsterdam precisely on time and took about 15 minutes. The countryside was, of course flat, however there was a small canal or ditch running alongside much of the route with a bike path winding its way alongside the ditch. We got off the train and walked about half a kilometer into the town. A smaller Amsterdam, somewhat more picturesque, if i can use that term. We found ourselves in a large square with a huge church at one end. The weather was windyand therefore a bit cool so not...

Oct 10, 2010 - Another Open Museum. . . in Haarlem

Bob's Bits Sunday morning the sun had returned to add to our last Sunday in the Netherlands. So we headed off to the Frans Hals Museum. Frans was the most renowned Haarlem painter of the Golden Age. He painted hugh canvas depicting the the town military guild and portraitures of the rich and famous. To me the works I call the Dutch Masters series are very interesting. Do you remember the Ernie Kovacs shows of the 1950”s? One of his sponsors was the Dutch Masters Cigar Company. The original used in the advertising is in the Rijksmuseum in...

Oct 9, 2010 - UPDATED -- Haarlem at Last

Marilyn's Musings After a semi-harrowing drive and exploration of all the possible suburbs of Haarlem, we found a street parking place not far from the tourist office where we, once again, found ourselves miraculously only two blocks from our hotel. And miracle of miracles, there was an underground garage right next to it. Our next two nights are going to be spent at the Amrath Frans Hals Hotel in a small double room with internet and a buffet breakfast plus some wonderfully friendly and helpful young staff members. It is located right...

Jun 13, 2009 - Me and my old Dutch

Wednesday 10th June. Made it over the border to the Netherlands and Hengalo where we popped in to Cora’s parents. What a lovely welcome they gave us, inviting us to lunch but England was calling although we did call into Twickle Castle to see the gardens as suggested and very nice they were too. On then to Haarlem where we called on our friends Henk and Corre. Spending an evening with them was as much fun as ever.

Aug 17, 2008 - Haarlem Jazz Festival

Day 35: Haarlem Jazz Festival From our Hostel in Amsterdam's Vondelpark, we headed back to the Central Train Station passing the Royal Palace, National Monument, and Niewe Kerk along the way. We boarded the train and were in the city of Haarlem within 15 minutes! At the train station we met up with Coen, who we had met on the train from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk several weeks ago. Always interesting to reconnect with people from previous parts of a trip, especially in their home city! We only spent the evening in Haarlem with Coen, and it was...

Jul 15, 2008 - Haarlem and Amsterdam

Cloudy with a hint of rain. Took train out to Haarlem. Toured Corrie ten Boom's house. Actually stood in "the Hiding Place." Amazed at what those people went through! The ten Boom's house was built in 1450! Lunch at McDonald's - best meal we've had yet. Walked through Red Light District in Haarlem; girls in windows. Took train back to Amsterdam in time to go to Anne Frank house. Walked over to Dam Square. Ate pizza beside canal, walked around a bit and then went to bed.