Convoys and the Long Way Home

[RooFlyer]

Well, that's a nice point to catch up with this TR .

 

[drron]

So time to leave the Manoir.Our transport and the road out-

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Quick stop in the village to get some deodorant from Aldi.Not cheap-a convenience store in the centre of The Hague had it cheaper.
Next was a stop at the Ikea in Delft.Huge and they are expanding.The place was jumping.Unfortunately mrsdrron wasn't able to buy some of the things she saw.For me some of the flowering phalaenopsis were a steal at 4.90 Euros.
Next stop was a traditional Delft pottery where the designs are still done by hand.Some of their products and some steps in the production-

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[drron]

Certainly a great range.Mrsdrron was able to pick a little something from these-

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The pottery was in a residential area and quite picturesque beside a canal-

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From there a very short drive to The Hague and the Hotel Des Indes.That next.

 

[drron]

Only a minor hiccup getting to the Des Indes because of roadworks and one way streets.But an impressive hotel.

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Upgraded to a corner suite which is the room with the brown window shades.Now for the inside-

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Our view and the street it is on-

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The checkin agent who was also the concierge was great although working in very difficult circumstances with the filming of a Dutch TV series going on in the lobby.It is very well situated in the old centre of The Hague.

 

[Major]

Did you manage any photos of the Orchids ?

 

[drron]

We had arrived at Des Indes a little after 1300.So after unpacking we went to this place-

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The place was built in the early 1600s by the Governor of Dutch Brazil.Now an Art Gallery with a great collection of Dutch masters including Rubens,Rembrandt and Vermeer as well as Hans Holbein.In the last few years they excavated below the courtyard and a neighbouring building and that now houses the museum shop and ticketing.It is well worth a visit.A few of the works.Those dutch were a lively lot-

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The painting on the right is dedicated to my surgical colleagues.Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr.Nicolaes Tulp."
One of the grand rooms and the master himself-

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Next one of Vermeer's most famous paintings-Girl with a Pearl Earring.Mrsdrron thought a remarkable likeness-

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Well they are both wearing pearl earrings.
However this photo has an added bit of importance.Mrsdrron posted it on Facebook.It was seen by a German lass who was an exchange student with our chosen family in Buderim.because of that a few days later we had a delightful dutch lunch with her a few days later as she is attending University in Holland.

 

[drron]

So the last Vermeer,one I have certainly seen copies of-

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We then walked through the Binnenhof-the Government Offices-

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[drron]

Sorry Major I just didn't think it was worthwhile taking my camera into Ikea so no orchid photos.
Now we continued on walking the old city.We came to an arcade with a chocolate shop and an attached coffee boutique.We decided it was time for a sit down so we both had a cappuccino.It came with a shot glass of a rich chocolate mouuse and a chocolate.Devilish.We bought some raspberry chocolate seen here-

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A bar across from here had a great sign out front-Had a bad day?Time for a drink.
Had a good day?time for a drink.
Found that KLM have their own travel medicine clinic-

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So more random pics-

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[jojen]

Really enjoying your trip report Drron. Don't know how you find the time to do it while travelling !!

Pity you missed your visit to your Great uncles grave in Amiens. We caught the train from Gare de Nord, caught a taxi, with some difficulty to Crouy St Pierre British War Cemetery where my great uncle is buried. A very moving experience for me as I am the only relative to have visited his grave. A well maintained cemetery out of the town.

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

jojen

 

[Julesmac]

Terrific TR Drron. I will be very disappointed if you tell me you and the missus didn't have shared bathtime in that impressive pair of tubs!

 

[drron]

Thanks Jojen but there are a few twists in this tale yet.
But back to Den Haag.And for those thinking Subway was going down the gurglar even at ~1600 people eating there-

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And a square surrounded by bars-

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Unfortunately that one was closed.Could do with a bit of slapen!Now a classical theatre-

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And the street back to the hotel-

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On Monday most restaurants are closed including the hotels.But they do serve light meals in the lounge salon.So we ate there.food OK but service lousy.Only bad part of a very good stay.

 

[drron]

That night we got an email from BA luggage services at ORY that our bags had left ORY for LHR but missed the AMS flight but would be arriving in AMS at 0915 and delivered to the Marriott.We felt relieved.So much so that we went to bed at 2200 and awoke at 1000.So had to rush to make breakfast which finished at 1100.
As only a short distance to Amsterdam we first went to the beach and old port of the Hague.It was a miserable day-

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Even the fishermen thought it better to stay home and fix their nets-

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I don't think I would stay here-

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We then took a short detour via Haarlem-

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We could see this large church but most of the roads were one way but eventually we got there-

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[drron]

Not only did we find the church but it was on the Town Square with lots of nice buildings-

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Then we drove on to Amsterdam and the Marriott.At checkin we asked if our bags had arrived.No.Emailed BA luggage services again but they didn't answer that or any subsequent email.Fortunately the Marriott had a fantastic concierge.For the hotel review and the rest of the luggage saga see here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ces-and-reviews/marriott-amsterdam-68573.html

 

[drron]

We weren't feeling in top shape for our Amsterdam stay.The first day we did the combined hop on hop off bus and canal cruise.Really take a long time to get around so you don't really get to stay at any particular place.We though just wanted an overview knowing that the next day was to be the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum.So random shots around Amsterdam.The concerning thing when walking is the mass of bikes often ridden on the pedestrian part of the footpath as well as the bikeways.The tram system is very efficient.

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Then again maybe some of the cyclists are just a little disorientated.

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And the Doubletree hotel which would have been cheaper than the Marriott but many TA reviews complain about things stolen from rooms in one case all their luggage.So we passed.

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[drron]

More random shots-

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[drron]

So now the Central Railway station where we switched from the bus to the canal cruise.Also some of the buildings around the station and then the old harbour-

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[drron]

So to the canals.Most are lined by houseboats a few of which look nice.Most are an eyesore and just block the views.I would question the value of a canal cruise.In the river the views were a little better-

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[drron]

The cruise continues-

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[drron]

You do pass some of the interesting things in Amsterdam such as the Anne Frank house.But it was obvious that was really not as it was and we decided against going.I prefer to remember the written word.The 5th picture in this set is of the Anne Frank house.

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[drron]

Terrific TR Drron. I will be very disappointed if you tell me you and the missus didn't have shared bathtime in that impressive pair of tubs!

That's very funny Julesmac ! They were a pair of HAND BASINS !!! We would NOT have fit ! But it was a double shower :shock: mrs.dr.ron