Foto’s

Good weather is coming (Or: Ice cream art)

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Niki

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.

Categories: Culture, Scheveningen, The Hague | Tags: | Leave a comment

Malieveld (Or: A busy place to walk during lunch)

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Niki

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!

Categories: The Hague | Tags: | Leave a comment

After a long wait… (Or: You can almost go surfing in Rotterdam’s city centre)

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Niki

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.

Categories: Rotterdam | Leave a comment

European elections (Or: Flags by the Hofvijver)

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Niki

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.

Voter information for those living in The Hague

Categories: The Hague | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Covered in rain drops (Or: Beautiful pink flowers)

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Niki

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.

Categories: The Hague | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

BlowUp Art The Hague (Or: Up close and personal)

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Niki

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!

Categories: Culture, The Hague | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Looking down (Or: Construction on the tower by the Binnenhof)

Posted on May 28, 2024 by Niki

The Binnenhof in The Hague’s city centre is currently being renovated. For a very long time – the current estimate is that it will be done around the end of 2028. If they are lucky.

One thing the city is working on is a tower (uitkijktoren in Dutch) where visitors can look up and over the Binnenhof walls to see the construction that is currently going on.

Here is a look from a bit further away (and a look at the beautiful sky today):

The tower is about 28 meters tall (92 feet). There is of course no elevator (!) but entry is free. The city is hoping that this will keep tourists interested in the area while the Binnenhof is closed since the Binnenhof is a main draw for tourists. The tower hasn’t opened quite yet, though.

Categories: The Hague | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Not as special (Or: Cruffin from Albert Heijn)

Posted on May 24, 2024 by Niki

Last week I posted about the cronut Marco purchased for me which was delicious. This week he decided to try the next croissant variation that the world has thought of: a cruffin. Even Safari’s spellcheck doesn’t know what to make of this invention.

It wasn’t nearly as impressive as the cronut, though. It was a lot less sugary, except for the bottom. It could be something tasty to eat for breakfast, though.

In other news:

There is actually a lot more going on this weekend. Check out The Hague’s weekly agenda.

Categories: Everyday purchases, The Hague | Tags: | Leave a comment

Interesting design (Or: Horse drawn carriage in The Hague)

Posted on May 19, 2024 by Niki

A few days ago I spotted a horse drawn carriage in The Hague’s city centre. It was near Buitenhof and the H&M store.

It is definitely an interesting choice to have the seats facing inward, since you have to turn around to see anything outside. But maybe conversing with the group at the same time is also important?

Happy Sunday everyone! If you live in the Netherlands, happy day off tomorrow (Monday after Pentecost), unless you work in the horeca. ho = hotel, re = restaurant, ca = café.

Horeca is probably my favorite Dutch abbreviation…

Categories: The Hague | Tags: | Leave a comment

Ingenious uses for a bike (Or: Flower pots everywhere)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Niki

Last week I came across this bike converted into a flower holder:

Definitely some great choices of flowers to display. The pink ones pop out immediately.

Of course, the bike itself won’t be going anywhere anytime soon – check the tires. Or what is left of them…

Categories: The Hague | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Blog at WordPress.com.