Well another jam packed day in Holland. Our fantastic hosts; Walter and Jessica and my Tante Joop took us on another great day of Dutch site seeing. We started with Madurodam which is a unique minature village. It opened in 1952 and contains incredibly detailed models at a 1:25 scale of famous Dutch landmarks. This is George at the entrance.
And this is Walter’s finger in front of one of Madurodam’s residents to give you some perspective on what 1:25 means.
The ‘village’ has 16,000 model people, and today at least one slightly oversized monkey. The Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix was the ‘Mayor’ of Madurodam until she was crowned in 1980. The models are spectacularly detailed hopefully our pictures will give you some idea of this. I’m going to start by showing you a real picture of the Gouda Town Hall from yesterday and then the pictures of the models I took this morning.
We took pictures of many famous Dutch landmarks which I’m not going to identify for you, we’re hoping to see lots of them in the next few days ‘for real’ so we’ll label them then but here’s a few that I think are great even without you knowing where or what they are.
Of course we did get one shot of some strange giant people walking around Madurodam.
After Madurodam we went to Simonis which was in the harbour at Scheveningen. Jessica, Walter and I ate about a kilo of mussels each. They were great but we had to be rolled out of the restaurant to the car.
Our next stop was The Hague which is the political capital of Holland (the Dutch are very strange they have their Parliament in The Hague and their official capital in Amsterdam) and contains the parliament buildings and the palaces of the Queen. You’ve seen them in mini so here they are ‘all grown up’.
Our next stop was the world famous “Betsie TerHaar Museum” we started with the main wing shown here
Our next stop was the “OnMyOwnInTheHagueAnnex”.
For those of you who don’t live in the Netherlands, these are my mother’s family home in The Hague and then her first living on her own apartment also in The Hague.
Next stop a museum called the Prison Gate, no pictures allowed inside but this one outside.
They must put some kind of shining agent in Dutch shampoo.
Cheers,
Mark & Ali
P.S. Here is George in a miniature version of Amsterdam, can you guess what part of the town?
Hi Ali and Mark,
George is a very lucky little monkey! He certainly is enjoying the sites.
Kelsey thinks her Barbies would love to visit Madurodam. They would fit right in.
We are both amazed that there is someone in the world talented and patient enough to construct and maintain a miniature village. Kelsey said that job should be posted on “Very Odd Jobs” (which is a show on Discovery Kids).
Continue having fun!
Hi guys.
I am glad to hear you are having fun. That miniature village is very neat – I can just picture Jason as a big giant ape stomping through the village wrecking everything. George might give him some fierce competition though. Did you get to stand in a large pair of those wooden shoes, Ali? Mark, you’re right about the dutch shampoo – that’s quite a chrome dome. Still enjoying your trip with you. Have fun. Love, Sara
Hi kids!
What a great treat it was to see all the pictures from ‘ome’. Also the pics of Nancy and Harriet’s families were much appreciated.
Very thoughtful of you two to even get one from our family home in The Hague and my other old digs and surroundings. Makes me homesick, even though I’ve now been in Canada some 43 yrs. Did you remember Prisoner’s Gate from when you were 7 yrs. old Mark?
I guess the North Sea did not look inviting at this time of year but looks like the lunch at Simonis went over well.
Dad will like the miniature sailboat, speaking of which I received mail from Ontario Place that the launch dates have been moved to May 2 and 3. Pls. check your e-mail because I have a question relating to this date change.
I’m sure the ‘old salt’ here will be happy to look after your vessel at launch time.
Nice to see Ali gets a chance on the laptop. Thanks for your feedback Ali.
Hope you try to take it easy now and then.
I see Jess and babe are progressing nicely! Pls. give the whole family our love.
xoxoxo for the 4(+) of you!
Mom
Where is this Jason person? I’m assuming it was J.C. who wants to be your publicist? Or did you not give him any rights to the stories?
Oh, George. You bad monkey – stay out of the Red Light District and stick to the forest or where ever it is you monkeys hang. I guess they call you ‘Curious’ George for a reason. Keep the monkeying around to a minimum or they may not take you back to that banana bookstorte you like so much. Later. Sara
Thanks for Dylan Thomas, to sum a life in 2 sentances is quite a feat…thanks for this memory. These Dutch are really rolling out the red carpet for you guys, which is what they have always done for me, impressive for folks there to be so warm yet insist in living below sea level! I liked that 18 meter pole you showed I don’t know how they get the peace of mind to sleep at nite when 2/3 rds of the country is below sea level.Mark if you visit Joop & Rob’s home please drop in next door and give my great regards to my Jazz friend –
Wynand…he is very special to me & tell him I enjoyed his piano playing & we always enjoy the humor he sends us , some of which I use in my lectures as ice-breakers. Welterusten, Im off to bed after 3 days of work on Last Penny – your boat is next for the weekend.
Hi Guys, We’re enjoying your pictures very much. looks like you are having a great time.WE are in your neck of the woods now , geting used to travelling by bus and subway.The Eagles concert was excellent last night!Keep having fun. Hi to the rest of the family.Love Mary
Hi Ali and Mark,
I’m getting behind in the posts. I’ve been busy at work, and sleeping at home. I’m staying later tonight to view these latest pictures with the pleasure of T1 service. They are all great. Keep them coming. You are being treated royally by the Dutch, making a lot of great memories.
Ali, I’m enjoying my Christmas boots. Wearing them almost everyday. Feeling very Nancy Sinatra. Looking forward to the France posts.
Love you lots,
Mom