Wednesday, 2 July 2014

Netherlands

Hello again, yes I am making up for lost time. So about two weeks before Wales I was in Netherlands. It was actually part of a bigger trip with my family, whom I was with in Hungary and Croatia just before coming to Netherlands.

So we were in Netherlands from 25 April to 2 May. My parents stayed at Dordrecht, while my brother and I in Rotterdam. (Oh ja jo?)

Weird cube building

Old building, not too common in Rotterdam

David and I stayed with Luke and Imogen, who showed us around the different foods and places. It was really fun to have hosts around the same age as us. I think we became a bit indulgent... Late mornings and hours of breakfast that rolled into lunch.

We did some of the usual tourist things. My family went to see the tulips in Keukenhof (sounds like a cough). After that we went to a nearby beach. That was okay. Not much to be said there.

Yadeeyadeeya flower flower flower

Pink red purple

David working out

Her name's a Joke heehee
 
We brothers also got to go Dutch cycling! What is Dutch cycling you ask? It's like regular cycling, except on a bicycle which is to high for you to stay upright on when stationary.

It was a beautiful ride, though slightly chilly. I enjoyed it a lot.

Cycling by the river

Imogen and David from behind

The ever late sun set... this must've been nine pm?

Luke and Imogen took Dave and I on a day trip to Delft. It's a nice town (city?). It became a bit of an eating trip. More about the food later. First, some pictures.

Poor head on the wall

The Dutch like their cheese mongers in lab coats

Church tower, like from Nebuchadnezzar's dream
 
The streets and canals of old

Now for my favourite part. FOOD. The Dutch aren't really known for their food, but if you look hard enough they have yummy little surprises. We must've been quite fortunate because we found ourselves a LOT of yummy surprises this trip.

Beef stew, rice, mash, corn, red cabbage, apple sauce

Awesome fries with peanut sauce, mayo and onions

Poffertjes, or mini pancakes
 
Brokking

Perhaps the first three are a bit more familiar Dutch food. For some reason the fries everywhere in Netherlands is really yummy. And they have nice sauces. I like it that they have peanut sauce with everything. Putting their Indonesian influence to good use.

Poffertjes are great not only because they are pancakes, but so small and fluffy. It's like eating chicken nuggets, so fun and happifying. Plus you get to have lots of bananas, strawberries and cream on it. What is not to love?

I think what deserves the most mention is Brokking though. It's a Dordrecht specialty, probably worth the trip there just for the sake of it. The brown bit below its a very fine meringue sandwich with whipped cream in between, then coated with roasted hazelnuts. Top it off with more whipped cream. It's heaven. And they sell this stuff in the supermarkets! That was how I found out about it the last time I came to Dordrecht actually. It caught my eye at the store, but little did I know how good it was.

Sadly the trip ended on a bit of a low note. Dave and I flew back to Dublin from Eindhoven, and we were told they have the best Dutch burgers at the airport. To our dismay the lunch menu hadn't opened, and we had to leave. So remember if you ever fly Ryanair from/ to Eindhoven, be in the airport in the afternoon/ evening and get yourself a burger and tell me if it's good.

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