To The Netherlands!!

Some friends were heading to Holland for the Spring flower show and I decided to tag along for the ride. Bill didn't have much desire to see the tulip fields, so he waved me goodbye at the airport before heading off to work.

Lots of bikes! 

After a short, but early (VERY early) flight and an almost as short train ride, we arrived in Leiden, a suburb of Amsterdam and our home away from home for the next few nights. I immediately noticed all of the bikes - tons of them - parked two and three bikes high outside of the train station. We would see far more bikes before the weekend was through. They're old-timey one to three speed granny bikes and they were glorious. Except, of course, when you almost get run over by one. Not saying that happened, but...

The first of many windmills

We also spotted our first of many windmills as we walked around Leiden, waiting to connect with the rest of our group who had taken various routes to get there. 

Canal in Leiden

Leiden was beautiful! Although not Amsterdam, it had gorgeous canals, lots of wee boats, and a terrific little cheese shop that helped stave off our hunger. 

CHEESE!!!

We even found a random totem pole. Near the totem pole was a cast iron art installation that included, among other things, a coffee pot, pair of shoes, dog poo, and a dildo. Seriously.   

Because when you think of Holland, you think of totem poles...?

It was a beautiful afternoon and around 1:00 all of the small canal-front cafes were starting to open for the Friday night festivities. 

Canal front cafe

We did not realize it until we arrived, but it was a 3-day weekend in Holland. Monday was King's Day, which we gathered is a national holiday similar to our 4th of July. There were lots more people out and about all weekend and town squares were getting ready for concerts, carnivals, and the like. Most of which was to take place on Monday, the day we were flying back home. Oh well, I still had quite a few tasty beers and food items. 

Mmmm beer!

Unfortunately, I was too full when we stumbled upon an oliebollen stand, but that didn't stop the others! The smell of fried dough and powdered sugar was as intoxicating as it was nauseating!

Brian eating oliebollen (fried donuts with powdered sugar)

Reg trying the oliebollen

All in all, a great start to our trip!