Visit to the Netherlands

10 - 11 March 2007

Another travel posting...this time is to the Netherlands :-) It's a quick weekend to both Rotterdam & Amsterdam, and to visit some good friends over there...I was also blessed with really superb weather over the 2 days, I am thankful ;)


First stop to Rotterdam, met the Eramus Bridge across the Maas River, and did a canal cruise around the city...


Cubic Houses: Surprising that such house is able to contain up to 3 floors, with 1 master bedroom and the attic room, very interesting...


Must-have foodies in Rotterdam (at least that's what I have had there): 1st one is the Netherland's waffles (stroopwafels) which is thinner, more crispy and spreaded with caramel, as compared to the Belgium's version. 2nd one is the Poffertjes (little small pancakes) topped with butter and icing sugar, yummy!!! The way it was done reminds me of the Japanese takoballs ;)

Lots of flowers on sales, just enjoyed the sight & scent of those pretty flowers, they brighten up my day... :)


Had a Surinamiese dinner (Surinami is a country just above Brazil, used to be a Dutch colony) with my dear friends (Clyde, Huijing, Jonger) and visited the famous New York Hotel in Rotterdam. FYI: Lots of immigrants used to depart from this harbour city to the Americas in seek of their fortunes, and New York was actually once known as the "New Amsterdam".

Some interesting stuff: Melly Shum, Chloe, and a falling man on a road-sign...


Next day was Amsterdam, spent with dear Ansa :D There is the huge Grand Place and great shopping streets, with lots of tourists and locals flooding the entire city area on such a Sunday. FYI: All shops (both fashion and restaurants) in the city are opened, even on Sunday, unlike Brussels...

I thought this was some historical building...but it was the biggest, grandest, most expensive and the only shopping mall in Amsterdam, known as the Magna Plaza!!!

Memorial for WWII


I just love those nice canals snaking around the entire city...it just feels good under the warm winter sunshine...

Van Gogh Museum is very interesting, easy to navigate, with great explanations, and exhibits great paintings :D Another museum that should be visited is the Anne Frank House but it was too crowded on a Sunday afternoon and hundreds of people queue around the whole building just to get in...I give up!!!

Haaa :D Red-light District!!! Superb!!! Full of sexy babes on display...pick one that you like ;) Also there are some night clubs with colourful flags hanging outside, and those are the gay clubs ;) Watch out don't go into the wrong one ;)

Even the street names in Chinatown is written in Chinese...

Took lots of pictures during this trip & lots of pictures to share...Overall, it's a very pleasant trip, especially visiting my dear friends and had their precious company for a lonely traveller like me...

Amsterdam is a very happening place, you can literally feel the pulse of vibrance and energy!!! Rotterdam has lots of modern buildings (since it was destroyed and rebuilt after WWII), pace of lifestyle is not so fast, less crowded too, great to reside for a while, away from the bustle & hustle of the city life...

Think I will be back to the Netherlands again ;D