A few months back I did a blog post about the cat-themed gift store Meow & Muse in The Hague’s city centre.
Today when I was walking past (outside of the store’s normal opening hours) I noticed a cat in the window!
He (or she) expertly avoided knocking over any merchandise. This cat definitely owns the place.
If you haven’t been there yet I can recommend checking it out. It’s at the Nieuwstraat, not far from the Grote Kerk.
Last week I was walking around getting my usual dose of summer vitamin D when I came across the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives). It’s actually the temporary location, but considering the renovation of the Binnenhof won’t be done until at least 2028 it doesn’t feel that temporary.
On the side of the Tweede Kamer, not far from the National Library of the Netherlands or Central Station, you can find some pretty flowers. Of course, their primary use is to be a roadblock so that you can’t ram into the building, but okay. Let’s be positive.
The Binnenhof observation deck that I mentioned in a previous blog post will be opening on 11 July. There’s an article in Dutch about it at binnenhofrenovatie.nl. I don’t think I will (ever) be going up it, but maybe you will. You’re probably braver than I am!
The Netherlands has finally gotten a mini heat wave – it’s only the second (or maybe third) time that I have gone outside without a jacket on this year. Yesterday and today was even shorts weather! Unfortunately the good times only last through tomorrow, as the weather will turn a bit cooler again from Friday. Just in time for the weekend…
Here’s a look at the Koekamp, not far from The Hague’s central train station:
And here’s a look at the deer on the other side of the fence (they are a bit further down the path on the photo above, but not really visible):
Interesting fact: in July of 2022 there were plans to create a visitors centre in part of the Koekamp, although I’m not sure if those plans are still moving forward or not. Hmmm.
In celebration of the good weather that is finally coming this week (nltimes.nl in English), here is a piece of art not far from the Florencia ice cream (and coffee) shop.
And here is a close up of the art:
In other news, yesterday was Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day) in Scheveningen. This is the first day of the year where the new batch of haring can be eaten in the Netherlands. Vlaggetjesdag is always held on the third Saturday in June. See also omroepwest.nl’s article in Dutch. There’s also the article Eating herring in the Netherlands: all you need to know about the ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’ from dutchreview.nl if you want to know more.
To be clear: this is one Dutch tradition I haven’t tried yet, and I’m not sure I ever will. But others definitely enjoy it and say it is very tasty.
Malieveld is a large grass field not far from the central train station. I’ve posted about it a few times. There’s a path all the way around it. According to Dutch Wikipedia the field measures about 350 by 200 meters, so the path around it is about 1,100 meters or just under 0.7 miles. It’s great exercise if you go around 2 or 3 times, let me tell you.
The above photo shows the path on the way back (to get back to the train station you walk down to the end of this longer path and then take a left). Malieveld doesn’t look like a lot but it hosts carnivals, music festivals, demonstrations and other events.
It was also vital during corona as it gave people who live in the city enough space to get some exercise. I walked it a lot in 2020, let me tell you.
These photos were taken on the weekend, probably on a Saturday morning. It was pretty quiet then. But I went back earlier this week during a lunch break. It was much busier, with a lot of workers (especially government workers from the nearby buildings) dressed up in their suits and dresses, walking around in groups of 3-4 just chatting away. I assume most groups did one circle around the field and then left via the Koekamp. Koekamp is the area with the deer, adjacent to the Malieveld.
Hmmm. I clicked on the Koekamp link above and it mentioned last year’s temperatures were around 30C/85F around this time. That sounds lovely, as we have been stuck around 16C/61F lately. Here is hoping summer comes soon!
A project years in the making is almost ready in Rotterdam’s city centre, just outside of the Markthal. RiF010 is a surfing project opening on a canal in Rotterdam. Think of it like an urban wave pool. A new wave is generated every 7 seconds, with an average of 330 waves per hour in total. There are also different waves for beginners versus experts. It is currently open for testers but it will open in July for everyone. A ticket to surf costs 50 euros per hour, but considering how unique this is, a lot of people will probably pay this price.
Here is a video from the Dutch broadcaster NOS so you can see the waves in action. If you’re not in the Netherlands it will probably be geoblocked, though.
Recently I spotted this monster tree eating bikes alive:
At least that is the story I am telling myself. It was a lot of green and just a bit of bikes peeking out on each side.
Here’s a weird story for you (in Dutch, from omroepwest.nl): Missing three year old found at supermarket filling shopping cart with mackerel and chips. A massive search was started after parents reported their toddler missing. During the search a supermarket (Jumbo, a large supermarket chain) called the police to say they spotted a very, very young customer in their store… filling a child-sized shopping cart with lots of goodies. The list of groceries? A whole mackerel, chocolate milk, Lay’s potato chips, a bag of mandarins and a bossche bol. The last one is a Dutch inspired chocolate pastry – see also English Wikipedia.
The girl was reunited with her parents. The police didn’t say whether or not she was allowed to take the groceries with her, unfortunately.
The European elections are being held today through June 9. The Netherlands is going to the polls today, although you need to be a European Union citizen to vote. I am not a Dutch citizen (yet) so I won’t be voting.
To celebrate the occasion, the flags by the Hofvijver (normally the flags of the Dutch provinces plus the flag of The Hague) have been temporarily switched out for European flags. I do enjoy seeing how the flags change throughout the year to mark special occasions.
As I noted in my last blog post, Marco and I visited the BlowUp Art exhibition which was on the Hofvijver. Sunday was the last day. I also took a few photos of some gorgeous flowers on the platform which I just have to share.
And a close up so you can see the raindrops on the petals:
Here’s a random story from the Netherlands for you: Woman on TikTok fries chicken on the train and claims it is allowed.
Crazy.
Today Marco and I went to the Hofvijver to check out BlowUp Art The Hague. Note: tomorrow is the last day to see it! This time we went on the platform itself, which was an experience to say the least. The walkway area leading to the platform is quite wobbly. The best way to describe it is to say it is like walking on a swing bridge as it sways in all directions, especially if you choose a less than straight path. If you walk straight forward it doesn’t move around as much.
You can get some great pictures here with the Binnenhof in the background. The Binnenhof is the parliamentary building for the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives). The eggs were pretty cool because they are reflective so you can get some interesting photos, especially if you come as a group. The other thing to notice is the tower at the far left of the Binnenhof building – that is normally the office of the prime minister, when the Binnenhof isn’t in the middle of a 5-year renovation.
I mentioned the tower being the office of the prime minister because this pink tower is actually a homage to it.
There is also one colorful egg which will end up in a lot of people’s photos for sure.
Finally, here’s a look at the platform itself to show that you are actually on top of the water.
I think I’ll miss this art installation. When it first arrived it didn’t look like much, but not all of the blow up art was in place yet. It was also more fun than I expected to walk on the platform, although I was glad to get back on stable ground after!
Life in the Hague 