Category Archives: Netherlands



Spring bike ride

On a sunny Sunday morning some friends and I set out on a long bike ride through the country side, soaking in sun on a chilly spring day. The contrast of putting on sun-screen with weather being 8 degrees out was amusing.

We biked for around 45km cruising on our e-bikes at a leisurely pace. I found myself feeling lucky that I call this place home. The trip took us via Muiden with a stop at a self-service farm shop, via Ankeveen, Weesp, Nightvecht, Diemerbos and back.

I love finding cherry blossom trees. I love how they pop against the quintessential dutch landscape. And a passing conversation with someone put it on my mind to spot them and perhaps share with them.

We then biked through Dimerbos for a stopover for a snack and a beer and headed home.

cafe break

Finding a spot where I can become a “regular” has been delightful. I see the same people, we might nod or just silently acknowledge. What I order varies little, yet they do not assume, which I appreciate. The floor is slightly unkempt, flecks of croissant strewn around. Patrons drift in for bread and cheese and occasionally lounge around with coffee and newspaper; I didn’t know people still read them.

I sit for an hour or two if I can peel away that long from work and leave a minute or two before they close at 2pm.

I look forward to being there, again.

Idyllic Enkhuizen

During the post-vacation recovery stay-cation, I decided to pick a spot from a guidebook and hop on a long drive for a day trip and a museum visit. That’s how I ended up at Enkhuizen.

After an hour’s drive, I reached the idyllic town. By virtue of its location, the sounds one could hear were filled with rustling small-town life and boats passing by, devoid of any car or city noises. It was serene. The views were equally idyllic.

I started by strolling around the Zuiderzeemuseum

And went in for a few hours to learn a bit more about the fascinating history of the zuiderzee leading up the construction of Afsluitdijk

The Marina was still and somehow brought back memories of the pier in San Franscisco

In the comfort of a hot coffee and an apple pie, I took a break from the light chill at the cafe on the marina.

I then walked around the old town center to capture some snapshots of the neighbourhoods frozen in time.

As the sun began to set, the golden hour draped itself on

“Spectacular” doesn’t do justice to my sunset views on the drive back. The nostalgia was palpable. Emotions from a different time and place washed over me, beckoning me to return to that moment, one to which no path exists.