Once upon a time in Utrecht and Den Haag

Almost as soon as we got out of the main rail station in Utrecht, the town greeted us with the market. 

I was mostly impressed with the fish stalls. We don't have great seafood in Lithuania... I really wanted to have some oysters,but I refused to eat them without wine. Next time then.

The famous waffles. I brought them home. But arg, damn the globalization. They were sold at supermarkets at home, too. Even cheaper than in Holland!

Peonies and roses.

A bike for the Tour de France.

I never manage to take or be in photos where people are coming towards the camera. 

Window shopping with Ksenija.

A cool flea market kind of shop. I am amazed I left it empty handed.

Dutch people transfer multiple kids, dogs, luggage, plants etc on their beloved bikes. Ksenija was positive I would travel this way to the train station. Holding my 10 kg trolley bag with one hand and pedaling away. No way, I am not that confident.

Dotty textile all over the town.

A fountain in Den Haag.

A heron is waiting for a stray fish from a restaurant. he was very still, probably hoping we wouldn't spot him.

But people did...

A modern dutch sculpture exhibition in a park.

Ksenijas birthday was celebrated with Cava on a bench near the canal and on the beach.

Birds out of place again.

The monsters on the main beach.

We were wondering who was the architect, responsible for the monstrosity on the beach. The apartment houses were next to a beautiful historical looking building.

The kibbeling at it's best!

Off to Ameland

 Ameland is one of the West Frisian Islands off the north coast of the Netherlands. It consists mostly of sand dunes.  Much like Neringa in Lithuania.
Wadden means mudflats in dutch. Ksenija has been doing some mud walking. Oh, I hope to come back and do that too. 

 No water as far as he eye can see. Only grey lolling mud. And the smell of cow poop.

I haven't researched it yet, but it seems that the big ship reached the island by a canal, dug in the mud. A somehow disquieting thing. The gulls are on the edge of that canal. There were a couple of seals spotted on it, too. 

 And it was all  water on our way back later that day. But it couldn't have been very deep.

 Another ship coming our way. The canal goes in zigzags. And the ships advance rather slowly, not to disturb the water too much, I guess.

 The so feared raw herring. It was surprisingly delicious, melting in our mouths. The guy at the restaurant told us we were very lucky, as it is the prime time to have it. He even offered to cut it in pieces. The onion and the pickles were in harmony with the fish.
Well, later on, in Utrecht we swallowed the fish whole, as the locals do. But the one in Ameland was more delicious, softer.

 The curious long shells.

 They gave me an idea for nail extensions. A kind of beach pedicure.

 And manicure...

 I didn't know how to include this one into the beauty procedures. Probably suited for the facial scrubbing as it was very fragile, and fell apart under a smallest amount of pressure.

We call this photo "GAP fashion-life is fun!"

Good bye.

Greetings from Amsterdam

 See how the houses are tilted outwards? Very convenient when lifting things up on the crook atop the exterior.

 Snakes and mouths for glasses. In case you feel cocky today.

 Amsterdam was a bit horrible. At least the places, mostly frequented by tourists. But one could spot small patches of oasis here and there. These plants, for instance grow only in the wild in Lithuania. At least I haven't seen them on somebodies doorstep on a busy street in Vilnius.

 The flower market was a bit of disappointment for me. There were more fridge magnets and wooden tulips than actual plants. Well, we visited a real market in Utrecht. Coming soon.

 How my barge would look like if I owned one.

 The museum area. Me and Ksenija decided to check out the nearby neighborhood De Pijp. We were getting hungry and I have been jabbering about Asian kitchen since I got to Holland. 

 De Pijp was a very pleasant surprise. We found out later that it is one of the hip neighborhood in Amsterdam at the moment. It has a mixture of different cultures, with relaxed atmosphere. And we have just missed the local market.
Above - another exclusively forest dweller in Lithuania, robin. 

 We had a dinner in a Thai restaurant, made  a bunch of photos of De Pijp and headed back to Groningen.

 I haven't seen kids do rope jumping since I was a kid myself!

 Check out this parking style! Did the guy or the lady flew out of the car? Or they had to swim home?

 Urban nesting. A coot.

An envy worthy collection. I have got only one of these.

 This kind of shop seems to be popular. I saw a couple.

 Reminds me of Rome...

Ksenija and the tulip bulbs in the flower market.