Fai Quan
formerly known as "Prosaic Traveller"
Rotterdam (1) – Along Nieuwe Maas
Upon our arrival in Rotterdam, we were met with a downpour of rain that lasted about an hour. We had thoughts of turning around and catching the next train back to Amsterdam. However, with a $10.00 all day metro pass, we didn’t think we had much to lose if we remained inside trams all day. It was a good thing we persevered. As you can see from these photos, it was a heavy overcast day and it remained that way until our journey home 12 hours later…and it never rained again.
We took a stroll across Willemsbrug, a bridge over Nieuwe Maas that connects to Noordereiland.
The northern banks to the left and southern banks to the right.
Kop van Zuid
Flags sit side by side on the Boompjesboulevard. 193 national flags represent the number of nationalities who live or visited the city. 37 flags represent the city of Rotterdam.
Brussels (6) – Street Scenes
We were in Brussels for about 27 hours. However, from my posts, you would think I was here for a week. My last post of Brussels consists of selected street scenes around the central part of the city which is filled with colour and beautiful architecture.
Boulevard Anspach is a major street in the city centre.
View toward Place de Brouckere along Boulevard Anspach
Brussels Stock Exchange
Rue De Marche Aux Poulets
A creative drumming busker displays his talents
Corner of Rue du Marche ay Chabon and Grands Carmes Street. We stopped here for a morning coffee. I admired the camaraderie as the employees indulged in lively conversation with the patrons on the outside patio.
Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium
Standing in Square du Petit Salon looking towards the Elise Notre Dame Du Sablon
Rue des Bouchers
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is located next door to our hotel. If lucky, you might get a room overlooking the interior of the Galerie.
Graffiti makes its’ presence
Skateboard park
A large assortment to choose from
Words cannot express the excitement in my eyes and stomach when we came across this bakery.
On doing research about Brussels, “Mannequin Pis” was considered something to see but don’t have big expectations. Wandering through the streets, I noticed a lot of confectionary shops selling chocolate “Mannequin Pis” creations. It reminded me that we may want to seek out this curiosity. However, as I turned the corner…there it was. Interesting, how a small sculpture of a young boy performing a bodily function can be so thrilling.
Palais de Justice
Looking at rooftops from the Palais de Justice
Looking down Rue des Minims from Palais de Justice
Brussels (5) – Grand Place in the Night
An evening with a forecast calling for rain did not discourage our only night in Brussels. The vacant tents in the middle of the plaza allowed a few dry photo opportunities. Luckily, it only rained lightly for a few minutes.
Brussels (4) – Grand Place in the Daylight
When I was planning a day trip from Amsterdam, I looked at any destination that was within a three hour train trip. The Grand Place, a.k.a Grote Markt, was the reason we chose Brussels. When I did a google search on things to see in Brussels, this was the number one. This beautiful square in heart of Brussels is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Town Hall and Museum are surrounded by gorgeous guildhalls.
Corner of Town Hall
Closeup view of the detail on the Town Hall
Museum of the City of Brussels
Details of the side of the Museum
Brussels (3) – St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral
St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Malines-Brussels. The Gothic “Brabancon” style began with the choir in 1226. Stained glass windows and confessionals were created in the 16th century, the pulpit in the 17th century and carillon in 1975. I can carry on at length about each photo, however, I choose to be silent like it was when I visited the beauty of this church.
Brussels (2) – Palais Royale
The Palais Royal de Buxelles is located on the south eastern edge of central Brussels. Doors to the public were opened during the summer to September 6. Unfortunately, we missed it by two weeks. Here is a glimpse of the exterior.
Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg, 18th-century, neoclassical church on the Royal Square.
Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians. However, it is not the residence of the royal family. This palace is used in the capacity of royal functions and state of affairs. It has State Rooms for large receptions and apartments for visiting foreign Heads of State.
Right side of the palace.
A full view of the palace from the park across the plaza.
Parc de Bruxelles Warandepark is located across the open plaza from the front of the Palace.
One of the many pathways in the park.
Brussels (1) – Le Botanique
Le Botanique is a prestigious art centre that provides cultural events and music concerts. A stroll through the gardens shows the meticulous love and care by the Botanical Garden of Brussels.
Zaandam (3) – Dam Tot Dam Weekend
With over 88,000 participants, Dam Tot Dam Weekend is the largest sporting event in the Netherlands. The full weekend event starts with the Saturday “Damloop by Night” (see previous post) and ends with the “Dam tot Dam FietsClassic” and “Dam tot Damloop” on Sunday.
The “FietsClassic” is a cycling event which starts and ends at Dam Square (located about a block from our hotel). “Dam tot Damloop” is a 10 mile (16 km) running event which starts by Amsterdam Centraal and ends on Peperstraat by Zaandam Centraal.
We were totally unaware of the cycling event during the weekend. As we headed to Amsterdam Centraal, we were surprised to encounter all these cyclists warming up on Damstraat.
The Royal Palace in Dam Square provides the backdrop for the start and finish of the FietsClassic. There are four different routes for the cyclists to choose. The 40 km shortest route takes them to Zaandam and back. The longest 145 km route takes them north to Schoorl and back. There are two in-between routes at 60 km and 105 km.
Behind Amsterdam Centraal, runners leave their gear to be picked up later in Zaandam. With the anticipated 50,000 runners, it took 5 semi-trucks to haul the stuff.
Special Needs participants are the first to come to the Finish line in their .6 km effort.
More than 3,000 children between 4 to 13 years run the .6 to 2.2 km distance.
One youngster brings the fun into the run as she “high fives” the supporters
Edwin Kiptoo is first to finish the 10 mile at 45:19
My husband Rod (fourth from left, in black) keeping pace
My view at 200 m from Finish.
A small plaza on Peperstraat brings a nice sitting area with food and beverages.
Back in Amsterdam, we head back to our hotel. Passing through Dam Square, we find things are rockin’.
Zaandam (2) – Damloop By Night
Dam Tot Dam Loop is an annual running event held on the third weekend of September. This event starts on the Saturday evening with a “Damloop by Night”. The 5-mile (8 km) course in the dark, runs through the streets of Zaandam.
We made a special trip to Zaandam to cheer the 15,000 participants.
Runners on Peperstraat.
The Finish Line up ahead.
Street view of the participants decked out in Royal Orange.
DJ pumping out the music to welcome the runners at the finish line.
Fellows in all-white jumpsuits encouraging the runners.
Spectator support from the balconies of an apartment overlooking Peperstraat.
Zaandam (1) – Gedempte Gracht
Zaandam is a city in the province of North Holland. Approximately 16 kms north of Amsterdam, it sits beside the Zaan River close to the North Sea Canal. It’s a quick 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandam Centraal.
Right outside the doors of the eastern side of the station, there is a commercial area called Gedempte Gracht. Full of shops and eateries, it resembles an outdoor shopping mall with a canal running down the middle. It ends at the Zaan river and Peperstraat begins.
Because the finish line of the “Dam Tot Damloop Marathon” was on Peperstraat, we passed though this area.
Brightly lit window displays.
We arrive for the “Dam Loop By Night” and head towards the finish line on Peperstraat.
Heading back to the Station
Inside the platforms of Zaandam Station, we wait for the train to take us back to Amsterdam.
Next morning I returned to Zaandam to wait for Rod at the Finish Line. You can see participants of the “Dam Tot Damloop” catching the train to take them to the start line outside Amsterdam Centraal.
Outside Zaandam Station
Inntel Hotel beside the station. The outside facade of this hotel is designed to look like 70 stacked houses.
“Pathe” is a movie theatre
Apartment living in the heart of Gedempte Gracht
Where Gedempte Gracht ends and Peperstraat begins
Apartments along the Zaan River
Fai Quan 