Ameland

Last weekend I had the chance to visit one more from the 5 Dutch "Waddeneilanden": Ameland. This is the fourth island (north of Amsterdam) and it is not carfree (as island 2 and 5: Vlieland and Schirmonnikoog). However biking on Ameland is still pleasant (be prepared for some tough wind though-its the Netherlands).

We went to the local "kaasborderij"(=cheese farm) and tasted the local organic cheese too. Next to this we said hi to the tons of sheep there, enjoyed the lovely old houses, climbed the lighthouse (next entry will be more detils on it) and breathed some fresh sea air:-)

Tulip fields in Flevoland 2011

Last weekend, on the way to the island Ameland I was really impressed to see tons of colourful tulip fields from the highway driving in the Dutch province Flevoland, (passing by Lelystadand Noordoostpolder). This part of the Netherlands was literally added to the country in the 1960-ies....

Flevoland consists of two areas, both under the sea level, up to minus 14m. This area has been gained by draining the Zuiderzee once after the Afsluitdijk had been created and finished in 1932. The land in Flevoland is mainly sand and what grows best on sand ground: flowers!:-) Enjoy the amazing colours and geometric forms...

Palingrokerij in Zoutkamp

My friend Tony showed me once pictures from this old-fashioned smoked fish factory located in the north of the Netherelands, in the Dutch province Groningen. In Dutch "palingrokerij" indicates the place where the fish (in the case above the eel="paling") gets smoked.

Actually one may buy plenty of different smoked fish: eel, sole and others, but also fresh "Hollandse garnalen" or also sun dried soles. I directly fell in love with the cute colourful wooden houses at the harbour of Zoutkamp. In front of the houses one may also admire the fishing boats...

Above all dried soles are dispatched in sets of 5.

Below fresh not peeled Dutch shrimps ("Hollandse garnalen", which are much tinier than normal shrimps) are delicious, but time-consuming occupation...And dont forget to try all the yummy smoked fishes:-)))

Dutch flower fields 2011 and baby pigs...

It is again flower fields time! Last weekend one could enjoy tons of colourful flower fields: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils....btw its me in the picture above, posing in the middle of the hyacinths:-) It was pretty busy as you can see in the back: tons of people doing the same as me...

While enjoying the tulip fields, in the garden in front of a house in Noordwijkerhout, I saw a pair of baby pigs...They were really cute and curious and having fun with all the people passing by.

Hundertwasserhaus in Wien

The architecture of Hundertwasser always strikes me with its creativity and love to nature...The Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, built 1983-1985, is no exception. Even if one may enjoy the building only from outside (no visits inside are available), his art as well as the power of colours impress a lot! Loving also the green plants, Hundertwasser had made this building a home for 250 trees and bushes (on the roof and the balconies)...Antonio Gaudi has had a big influence on his works.

Since 2005 the "Hundertwasserhaus" is the forth biggest place of interest in Vienna and Austria!

Welcome to Dutch spring 2011

The spring this year is taking its time...The temperatures in Holland has not been often over 10 degrees, although we have been very lucky with the numerious spring sunshines.

The nature starts slowly to awake and some first tree blossoms and green leaves are popping out for the last 2 weeks. The ducks are also happily swimming or preparing for the little ones. Hopefully soon the warm temperatures arrive:-)

Nederlandse Fotomuseum in Rotterdam

Last Sunday I was very pleasantly surprised by the visit to the Dutch Photomuseum/ Nederlandse Fotomuseum, located in Rotterdam (next to pier 7 and Hotel New York). The museum is very cozy designed and located at 3 floors. Like this 3 different exhibitions may be shown at the same time.

I really enjoyed a lot the work of the Spanish photographer Chema Madoz.

Müllverbrennungsanlage Spittelau in Wien

The colours loving artist Friedrich Hundertwasser had also designed an insenaration factory, the "Müllverbrennuungsanlage Spittelau" in Vienna. To reach it one should get the U4 and get off on the stop Spittelau. As the rest of his works I was impressed by its beauty. Here one can find apples and strawberries around the windows for example...and a cute hat on the roof of the building:-)

"Ankeruhr" in Wien/Vienna

While having a stroll through the center of Vienna I have discovered the lovely clock called "Ankeruhr". Die Ankeruhr am Hohen Markt is a 4-meter-big clock in art nouveau design, which has been installed in 1914. It feautures 12 different characters from the Austrian history (such as old kings and musicians). Its location, "der Hohe Markt", is the oldest square in town.

At 12h (lunch time) every day a big crowd gathers in front of it to watch the show display of all of them. Even in the night the clock is worth a sight!