Hello everyone,
Another eventful weekend has been and gone, and as our time here in Amsterdam grows ever shorter, we are still getting around to places we haven't seen or been to yet. After nearly 5 weeks here, we decided it would be a good idea to go outside Amsterdam centrum and head into the town of Haarlem (only a 15 odd minute train ride west out of the city). Haarlem itself is older than Amsterdam and retains more of its 17th century layout than any other Randstad city. It really does feel like a trip back in time, especially when standing at the base of the impressive Gothic Grote Kerk of St. Bavo. The Kerk stands in the centre of Haarlem City on the main square, Grote Markt (actual Markets are held on Saturdays). There is much more to the city than the little we had a chance to see and if you really wanted to get to a fair chunk of it you would need at least a whole weekend here, if not more.
Another eventful weekend has been and gone, and as our time here in Amsterdam grows ever shorter, we are still getting around to places we haven't seen or been to yet. After nearly 5 weeks here, we decided it would be a good idea to go outside Amsterdam centrum and head into the town of Haarlem (only a 15 odd minute train ride west out of the city). Haarlem itself is older than Amsterdam and retains more of its 17th century layout than any other Randstad city. It really does feel like a trip back in time, especially when standing at the base of the impressive Gothic Grote Kerk of St. Bavo. The Kerk stands in the centre of Haarlem City on the main square, Grote Markt (actual Markets are held on Saturdays). There is much more to the city than the little we had a chance to see and if you really wanted to get to a fair chunk of it you would need at least a whole weekend here, if not more.
Statue of Lorens Costa in front of the Grote Kerk of St. Bavo
Haarlem Grote MarktThis Saturday also happened to be Liberation Day. To celebrate the occasion there are concerts and festivals held all over the Netherlands, the biggest and oldest of all being Haarlem's Bevrijdingspop. Held in Haarlemmerhout park, the annual festival showcases Dutch Muso's and bands over 2 stages, has a massive range of food and market stalls as well as a kid's festival. Although I didn't know any of the local acts, there was an MC Battle that was most excellent (featuring this kid, who wouldn't have been more than 10 or 12, laying down rhymes with others well his senior) and a band that sounded distinctly like Interpol (but weren't). I've said it before, but the Dutch sure do know how to party and there is always one on somewhere.
On Sunday we decided to do something a little different and go to the Amsterdam Royal Artis Zoo. It is the largest Zoo in the Netherlands and houses exhibits from Axolotyls all the way through to Zebu. Of course there was plenty to see but I kept wondering to myself who exactly was watching who - especially when standing in front of the penguins. Ness absolutely loved the Big Cats and Butterfly House, and we were lucky to grab a glimpse of the few newborns there including the young Giraffe and Gorilla. I still don't like the fact that these majestic creatures are locked in cages, yet without Zoo's like this more of these animals would probably be extinct. It was quite incredible to stand less than 1 metre away from a baby Giraffe and of its own free will it reaches out and licks the back of your hand.
Ness at the Zoo (it is a Zebra behind her) 
Ness in front of the man-made waterfall
After yet another eventful weekend, and many many more photos being taken, we now await the arrival of Troy and Alwyn who are flying over for a few days from the UK on Wednesday. Soon to be followed by Darko and Jess who arrive on the Friday. ....And chaos shall reign down upon Amsterdam city. We'll show these Dutchmen how it's really done.
Until next time, don't do anything we wouldn't do,
Peace and Regards,
Jim and Ness
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