Some more Amsterdam

The Dam, our National Monument.The Royal Palace.A bike taxi.A tram approaching and in the background the Mozes and Aäronchurch.The Magere Brug.A canal with a houseboat in the foreground.

Hotel de l'Europe.

Window view of Amsterdam

Summer in Amsterdam

Wordless Wednesday - Open

Museum visit

In Amsterdam we were on our way to the above building. It used to be a nursing home but has been rebuild to become the Hermitage museum.Only a few weeks ago Hermitage Amsterdam opened its doors to the exhibition "At the Russian Court". To me this exhibition sounded very interesting and a possibility to see part of the collection that is normally displayed at the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg.There were two large halls besides many smaller rooms displaying all treasures. The "ballroom" with revolving display cases and the surprise of suddenly hearing ballroom music created a perfect sphere. The large oil paintings hanging everywhere are painted in such detail that it really amazed me. So clear that faces looked like photo's taken. It was a delight to see all these wonderful paintings. The lovely dresses, ball gowns and other costumes on display made me gasp in awe but also happy that I live now and don't have to wear such clothes. The pictures of St. Petersburg make me wish to visit that impressive city one day. The wing with pictures, paintings and lots of information about the period that spanned the reign of six tsars of the Romanov dynasty was very interesting and touching too, especially knowing the tragic history of the last tsar of Russia. Leaving the Hermitage Amsterdam I felt I have learned a lot about life at the Russian Court. The clothes, the paintings, the information, the historical facts and all other treasures on diplay. I can only say one thing WOW it was fantastic!

Thanks to those people who made it possible to visit this beautiful exhibition so close to home!

Hi Bye

As tradition has it after 8 years in Primary School a musical is performed for family, friends and teachers. The musical we watched this evening was called Hi Bye. Hi for the first schoolday and Bye for the last schoolday. It was a great evening and the kids performed a very special show. They must have had loads of fun preparing for this musical. For us this evening also means that all our kid have left Primary School. Oh boy so fast, it feels like only yesterday they said Hi to Primary School. But it is a definite Bye this time. No more Primary School kids in this house.

Summer holidays

Summer holidays have started for the schools in the North of Holland. On Saturday we noted many caravans on the road on their way to holiday destinations. Holland is divided in 3 holiday regions: North, South and Middle to spread summer holidays. Region North is the first this year and they started summer holidays last Friday.

Shadow seat

With this hot, sunny weather we are having over here there are shadows everywhere.

Yesterday in Amsterdam I saw these stands selling paintings on Rembrandt Square. If you look really well you can see the statue of Rembrandt popping out of the greenery right above the umbrella. I didn't see the seller but I noted he/she placed the umbrella to create a little bit of shade to sit in. Another stand with umbrella and some tree shadows.

Photo hunter - pink

Didn't spend much time behind a PC the past few weeks. Besides the weather being tropic warm over here I just didn't feel like posting. OK another problem was that I simply couldn't find things worthy taking a picture of for posting over here but today we went to Amsterdam and now I can catch up on some past topics. First of all todays topic: pink. In Amsterdam I noted these beautiful pink bougainvilles.

And I even noted all these flags behind a window which would have been a perfect entry for last weeks PH theme. And here is a picture for the PH theme LOCK of June 13th. I noted this bike which had two bike locks on it but that didn't bother the thief for he/she must have needed a wheel and that's what was taken along leaving the rest of the bike behind.

Wordless Wednesday - Pink Hortensia