Today we did a tour of Holland. The Netherlands is divided into, I think, twelve provinces, of which North Holland and South Holland are two. As our trip visited both these areas, we can claim to have seen Holland In One Day.
Our tour guide, Charles, was amazing. Each commentary he would give first in English, then several other languages. He told me he can speak Dutch, German, Italian, Croatian, Spanish and French too, plus is currently studying Russian and Indonesian.
Our first stop Aalsmeer, the largest flower auction in the world. An elevated walkway leads through the main warehouse, with a flurry of work below moving crates of fresh flowers stacked on two tier trolleys about. Some movement is automated, some hook up to several types of machines that the operator sits or stands on, to haul them around.
We walked right past two of the auction rooms. Tracks shuttle trollers in and above, two giant screens, or clocks, display the information. Buyers sit at computers, two to each desk, around sixteen desks in each row, banking up from just above the auction room floor twelve rows stretching high up to the back.
The length of the building is easily one kilometre long, plus various side rooms lead off it. And it is only part of this enormous complex. And one of six sites owned by Floral Holland, which is a co-operative, owned by growers!!! Twenty one million flowers and plants worth over €6 million change hands .... EVERY DAY.
Next we drove to Rotterdam. Because it was bombed flat during WW2, it has been basically rebuilt and features some stunning buildings and bridges now.
Then we visited one of only two of the traditional Delft Blue potteries still remaining. This was more a buying expedition, as the brief explanations given on both the first and second floors did not include anyone actually painting or glazing their wares. Lots of American tourists on board, so no doubt 'Mission Accomplished'. A five minute drive away was the town centre of Delft, with its enormous market square, where we set free for lunch, although our guide did try to herd us into one particular restaurant. Rob and I drifted off to 'Bagel and Beans' instead, a cafe specialising in delicious bagels and coffee.
The Hague was next, with a drive around past the Parliament, various Ministry buildings and the
Queen's working palace. She must have been at her desk, hard at work, as the flag fluttering above
the building indicated that "Beatrix was in the house". She apparently has another palace to call
home.
We stopped outside the Peace Palace, with its rather inconspicuous eternal flame. (The Shrine of Rembrance one in St. Kilda Road is much more dignified and significant.). This beautiful building sits behind a high iron fence with imposing gates and the judges of the International Courts have
offices here, but the actual courts are in enormous buildings in other locations.
We then drove through some exclusive neighbourhoods, where various Embassy buildings and the homes of the Ambassadors were. Talk about swanky! Manicured gardens, shady lawns, gleaming paintwork ... and the Australia Ambassador lives in a home as impressive as any. Fabulous to see our taxes at work.
From these large, imposing buildings we headed for "Madurodam" which is a large site featuring The Netherlands in minature. Such tourist attractions can be ghastly, but this place was really good!
In the Amsterdam area, we saw the Royal Palace and Woodsie walked around and, sure enough, it included the steps to one side where he waited for me! The scale is 1:20 so some of the buildings
were way taller than us. Of course it features waterways, canals, harbours. Trains race along their
tracks, windmills and wind turbines turn, we saw a bus and a limo sedately travel along.
Most of the display is static, but there is so much detail it is amazing.
On the drive back to Amsterdam, we passed THROUGH the airport. Runways lie each side of the highway and at one point we went through a tunnel that went over the runways! It is the only airport
in the world that is several metres BELOW sea level. We also drove UNDER buildings that had been
built either side, then over the road.
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