Last leg of my 11D8N Europe tour, Netherlands. Honestly, the month that I chose (April) was not just about my birthday but also to see the tulip bloom in Keukenhof. I actually forgo the iconic windmills at Zaanse Schans for the tulips because once a year, you only get to see them for a few months and not all year long. Windmills will always be there. Glad I made the right and determined decision.
KEUKENHOF
Keukenhof, known as the "Garden of Europe", is one of the world's most famous and largest flower gardens. The gardens are situated on a 79-acre area and they are renowned for their stunning displays of tulips, and also other flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths, and orchids. For flower enthusiasts, this is a must-visit destination in the Netherlands during spring. The breathtaking display of flowers will leave you with a memorable experience. There were so many visitors that day we went and have to make our way through from one sight to another, just inside the garden.
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| Keukenhof Entrance |
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| Iconic Windmill in the Netherlands |
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| Instagrammable Spot |
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. It is known for its picturesque canals, historical architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and liberal attitudes. Honestly, not trying to offend anyone but the first thing that comes to mind about the Netherlands is drugs. Okay, I know not just here but in some other countries too. Talk about liberal society. Aside from that, its rich history, cultural diversity, and scenic beauty make it a popular destination for visitors around the world. That's what matters.
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| Grand Café Lido (right side) |
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| Go for a day or evening cruise with Blue Boat |
Amsterdam is famous for its elaborate canal system that consists of many waterways crisscrossing the city. So various boat companies offer famous canal cruises for visitors from all around the world because no trip is complete without an Amsterdam canal cruise. One is Blue Boat Company and the other is Lovers Canal Cruises, which I went to Blue Boat Company and the other is Lovers Canal Cruises which I went to during my stay. Video at the end of this post.
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| Love watching those boats crossing thru the canal and those canal houses on both sides |
The first comes to my mind in the Netherlands was the Hong Kong movie, Young and Dangerous Part 3 or 古惑仔3. One of the scenes where Chan Ho Nam was invited to Amsterdam by Mr Chiang, the gang leader but was shot to death and Chan Ho Nam became the scapegoat for the leader's death. Go watch and you can find the scenes in Amsterdam during the 90s maybe.
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| Mural Arts on the building |
Who loves mural arts chasing overseas? I for one love them so much because they are colorful and expressive. A powerful form of expression combines visual aesthetics with storytelling and community engagement. They sometimes depict historical events, cultural heritage, or social issues of the Country. And by transforming public spaces or buildings, inspires dialogue and brings people together through art appreciation.
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| Past by Heineken Brewery while on the coach bus |
I'm a beer drinker and I never really find out where they come from because, to me, they are the same. Probably smooth or dry, gassy or not. Oh ya, I know Tiger Beer is our local brand and is now produced by Heineken. Heineken is a Dutch beer brand, founded in 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Heineken is known for its distinctive green bottles and red star logo and has since gained international recognition.
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| Crooked buildings in Amsterdam |
The crooked appearance of buildings or houses in Amsterdam is apparently due to the city's unique architectural style and challenging environmental conditions. Also known for its canal system, the city was built on a series of wooden piles driven into the marshy ground to provide a stable foundation for construction. But over time, the soil settled and shifted, causing many buildings to tilt or sink unevenly. So this is one of the factors that resulted in the crookedness of some buildings in Amsterdam. That is the uniqueness of the city and part of its historical and cultural heritage.
Chanced at the restaurant and it was raining out there, so we went in straight and settled for our lunch. There is a heater/warmer in the outdoors which makes it more comfortable to dine outside. Since we missed out on Italian food when we were in Milan (although we had Milanese dinner), we made it up here in Amsterdam. Ordered a pizza, pasta, and prawns to share with the other 2 tour group members.
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| Pasta Arrabbiata (right) |
Mister wasn't a pasta person but he was satisfied with this pasta. Why? Because the arrabbiata sauce is made with tomatoes and chili peppers. The key is a mix of sour and spicy. But the spiciness wasn't too overwhelming which I liked too and also the perfect texture for a simple plate of pasta.
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| Gamberoni Aglio E Olio with Fries and Salad |
When I ordered this, I thought it was Aglio Olio with Prawns and never read correctly, thinking we were cheated of the supposed pasta with it. Actually, it was just baked prawns in garlic oil and pepper, complement with fries and salad. The prawns were delicious and fresh. But a little too expensive for 5 pieces of prawns; honestly, king prawns aren't that big.
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| Napoletana Pizza |
The pizza was served piping hot and looked huge but just in enough for 4 persons (2 slices each). Loved the thin crust because you won't feel jelak after eating. It tasted kind of salty, which probably came from the olives and cheese. However, the tomato sauce managed to balance out the overall taste. Anyway, definitely good to have!
VOLENDAM
Volendam is a picturesque Dutch town known for its traditional Dutch architecture and rich cultural heritage. Its fishing heritage dates back to the 14th century when it played a crucial part in the development of Volendam. Also, the traditional costumes worn by locals during festivals and special occasions, made it an iconic symbol of the town.
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| Back view of old houses with a little stream |
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| Old houses with lake view |
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| More houses with their own unique features |
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| Heaven and Earth, hardly see the coastline |
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| Restaurant by the lake |
DINNER AT RESTAURANT DE KOE TEAROOM
We were running late for the dinner arranged by the tour agency but still managed to get there in time. Most of the shops were already closed by the time we were there in the evening. So sad because I saw some specialty shops that I really love to see. We came for their nice fish and chips, according to the local guide (a Singaporean staying here for 1 or 2 decades already).
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| Dinner Venue |
The Soup of the Day and Salad was nothing special to mention. But maybe I liked the soup for having some noodles or spaghetti. Mister said it taste more like Campbell's soup. Oops... it really tastes like one.
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| Soup of the Day |
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| Salad |
Their Fish and Chips version was more like fried fish and roasted potatoes, rather than french fries. Didn't know 👍roasted baby potatoes were so sweet with the right texture and not too filling even if you had a little more. As for the fish, it was fresh and not heavily battered type. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. But Mister said it felt like those at Long John Silvers. And lastly, ice cream to end the meal.
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| Potatoes |
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| Fried Fish |
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| Ice Cream |
Recap on my European Adventure blog posts if you have missed out:
⭐Interesting Facts that I have learned:
- According to the local guide, he didn't take a single shot of Covid vaccine as Dutch people are only encouraged to take Covid vaccines, and not mandatory;
- Their buildings or houses are almost at sea level. Imagine if there is a flood caused by torrential rain;
- Keukenhof is only open between late March to mid-May every year for tulip bloom.
Believe it or not, my very first Europe video on my Youtube Channel was the river cruise in Amsterdam but my blog post is not up yet till now. Apologies for not going by the sequence of my trip. Haha... anyway enjoy the video okay? That's the end of my Europe updates. Phew... finally. Also, a follow-up on a short video of Keukenhof and Volendam shortly. Thank you for your patience.
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by the writer. Not sponsored post.