Canal Boat Tour
View from a canal boat in Amsterdam on a cool crisp fall day. Shot through the canal boat window.
Arrival of Sinterklaas
The arrival of Sinterklaas from Spain to Amsterdam happened to be when we arrived. The celebration was free of zwarte piet as they were replaced by chiminey piet. A bit of history of the controversy of zwarte piet can be found here.
Fall Vignette in Amsterdam
We arrived in Holland in the early morning. Walking through Amsterdam helped us keep jet-lag at bay. The fall tones were wonderful.
Magere Brug on a Fall Day
The Magere Brug is a bridge goes over the river Amstel in the city center of Amsterdam. It connects the banks of the river at Kerkstraat (Church Street), between Keizersgracht (Emperors' Canal) and Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). The first bridge at this site was built in 1691 and the present bridge was built in 1934. Because this bridge was so narrow, it was called magere brug by the locals which literally means skinny bridge.
This major Amsterdam landmark is photographed both during the day and at night and until 1994 it was opened by hand. A pedestrian and cyclists only bridge since 2003, this bridge is now decorated with 1,200 lightbulbs.
Begijnhof Square Church
One of the churches in Begijhof - one of the oldest squares in Amsterdam. It is the only inner court in Amsterdam which was founded during the Middle Ages, and therefore lies within the Singel — the innermost canal of Amsterdam's circular canal system. The Begijnhof is at medieval street level, which means a meter below the rest of the old city center.
Amsterdam Church Art
The door at Sint-Jozef in Amsterdam a relatively urban and modern church in this very old city.
Medieval Stained Glass
One of the stained glass windows in the church in Begijnhof. Note the date.
Statue of Beguine
Statue of Beguine in Begijnhof. The courtyard retains a peaceful and sanctified atmosphere which is quite a dichotomy to the bustle and hustle of the streets of Amsterdam just a few feet away.
The beautiful houses overlook its well-kept courtyard, and include Amsterdam's oldest surviving house Het Houten Huis dating from around 1420.
Wall Art in the Begijnhof
On the adjoining walls of the Begijnhof, there is a fascinating collection of wall plaques with biblical theme. These were incredibly well preserved considering the age of this part of Amsterdam.
Rembrandt Square
Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square) is a major square in central Amsterdam, the Netherlands, named after the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn who owned a house nearby from 1639 to 1656.
Street art in Amsterdam
Very colorful street art by the floral district in Amsterdam.
Gloodymir Putin
Street art in one of the alleys of the floral district in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Reflections
Reflections in the Amsterdam canals make wonderful abstracts.
All You Need is Love
Love Me ... this is on the outside of the Cafe 'T Gasthuys. The canal boat rounding the corner made for a great photo opportunity.
Super Moon over Amsterdam
Nightscape of Amsterdam with the super moon over the Magere Brug.
This is a bridge goes over the river Amstel in the city centre of Amsterdam. It connects the banks of the river at Kerkstraat (Church Street), between Keizersgracht (Emperors' Canal) and Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). The first bridge at this site was built in 1691 and the present bridge was built in 1934. Because this bridge was so narrow, it was called magere brug by the locals which literally means skinny bridge.
This major Amsterdam landmark is photographed both during the day and at night and until 1994 it was opened by hand. A pedestrian and cyclists only bridge since 2003, this bridge is now decorated with 1,200 lightbulbs.
Reflections in Amsterdam
Loved the reflections this created - part of the Magere Brug "1,200 bulbs."
This is a bridge goes over the river Amstel in the city centre of Amsterdam. It connects the banks of the river at Kerkstraat (Church Street), between Keizersgracht (Emperors' Canal) and Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). The first bridge at this site was built in 1691 and the present bridge was built in 1934.
This major Amsterdam landmark is photographed both during the day and at night and until 1994 it was opened by hand. It is now a pedestrian and cyclists only bridge.
Magere Brug at Night
The Magere Brug in all its glory (and 1,200 light bulbs) at night. This is a bridge goes over the river Amstel in the city centre of Amsterdam. It connects the banks of the river at Kerkstraat (Church Street), between Keizersgracht (Emperors' Canal) and Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). The first bridge at this site was built in 1691 and the present bridge was built in 1934. Because this bridge was so narrow, it was called magere brug by the locals which literally means skinny bridge. This major Amsterdam landmark is photographed both during the day and at night and until 1994 it was opened by hand. It is now a pedestrian and cyclists only bridge.
Munttoren at Night
The tower was originally part of the Regulierspoort, one of the main gates in Amsterdam's medieval city wall. The gate, built in the years 1480, consisted of two towers and a guard house.
The name of the tower refers to the fact that the guard house on side of it was used to mint coins in the 17th Century. In the Rampjaar ("disastrous year") of 1672, when both England and France declared war on the Dutch Republic and French troops occupied much of the country, silver and gold could no longer be safely transported to Dordrecht and Enkhuizen (where coins were normally minted), so the guard house of the Munttoren was temporarily used to mint coin.
It was recently restored and scale models of the tower are exhibited at Madurodam in The Hague and at Mini-Europe in Brussels.
Molen De Adriaan
One of a few remaining windmills in this little town and one of the only lit windmills in Holland.
De Adriaan burnt down in 1932 and was rebuilt in 2002. The original windmill dates from 1779 and the mill has been a distinctive part of the skyline of Haarlem for centuries. De Adriaan was rebuilt on the original foundation of the old windmill.
Windmill De Adriaan was reopened on April 23, 2002, exactly 70 years after the fire. The windmill is fully functional, and is capable of grinding grain. However, it is not often in use, but it is in use as a tourist attraction mostly on Saturdays and holidays. Inside the windmill is a small museum, and the interior can be seen.
Drommedaris at Sunrise
The Drommedaris at sunrise in Enkhuizen. This is one of the historic gates of the town. Building of this tower started in 1540 and fortified to what it is today between 1649 and 1657.
Over the centuries, the building was used as a storage of gunpowder, a prison (cells can still be found on the first floor), an tax office and as a telegraph office. The first exhibition of the Zuiderzee museum was held in the building in the summer of 1949.
At the end of the Second World War the building was severely damaged in a bombing at the nearby shipyard. The building was restored in the mid 1950s and and again between 2012 and 2015. Today, it is used as a cultural center and for special events.
Moody Dommedaris
Just a few minutes after we took the sunrise pictures of the Drommedaris the skies became dark and full of mystery.
From this vantage point, the Drommedaris is easily seen as the "entrance" to Enkhuizen from the IJsselmeer Lake which feeds into the North Sea.
Dutch Bike
A Dutch bike in Enkhuizen begging to be captured. Cycling is a common mode of transport in the Netherlands, with 36% of the people listing the bicycle as their most frequent mode of transport on a typical day. The high frequency of bicycle travel is enabled by excellent cycling infrastructure such as cycle paths, cycle tracks, protected intersections, ample bicycle parking and by making cycling routes shorter, quicker and more direct than car routes.
In the countryside, a growing number of inter-city bicycle paths connect the Netherlands' villages, towns and cities: some of these paths are part of the Dutch National Cycle Network, a network of routes for bicycle tourism which reaches all corners of the nation.
Koeport in Enkhuizen
I fell in love with this small town in Holland. Enkhuizen was one of the harbour-towns of the Dutch East India Company, just like Hoorn and Amsterdam, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands.
Boerenboom in the Fall
Boerenboom (De Boer Boom) is one of two fortified gates that protected Enhuizen on the "field" side of the city and were constructed in the 1590s.
These water gates are openings in a defensive town wall, where boats could go in and out on a waterway. The canal could be shut off with bulkhead gates coming down from the interior to keep out the enemy.
Old Shire Boom in the Fall
Oude Gouwsboom (Old Shire Boom) is the other fortified gate in Enkhuizen and was built in 1593.
These water gates are openings in a defensive town wall, where boats could go in and out on a waterway. The canal could be shut off with bulkhead gates coming down from the interior to keep out the enemy.
Old Shire Boom Reflections
Another view of Old Shire Boom - one of the fortified gates on on the edge of Enkhuizen. Enkhuizen was one of the harbour-towns of the Dutch East India Company, just like Hoorn and Amsterdam, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands.
Canal Boat Reflections
A wonderful canal boat in Enkhuizen along the Zuider Havendijk.
Painterly Reflection
Canal boat reflection in Enkhuizen along the Zuider Havendijk.
Abstract in Enkhuizen
Reflections from one of the canals in Enkhuizen.
Reflections in Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen is a historic town in the Kop van Noord-Holland region. Enkhuizen has a picturesque historic center. The reflection here captures the lovely cobblestone streets and a bit of the cityscape.
Dutch Vignette in Enkhuizen
The marina next to the buitenmuseum in Enkhuizen. When I think of a village in Holland, I picture this. Enkhuizen has one of the largest marinas in the Netherlands.
Sailboats peeking over Buitenmuseum
Sail boats peeking over Buitenmuseum (outdoor museum) in Enkhuizen. The Dutch are great seamen and there is a long history of their excursions all over the world.
Zuiderkerk Tower Canalscape
Zuiderkerk Tower in the background of this canalscape in Enkhuizen. This tower is part of the Zuiderzeehaven or St Pancras Church which was a late Gothic hall church. The tower is 75 meters high and was completed in 1524 and was restored in 1992.
Enkhuizen Stadhuis
Stadhuis - the town hall was built in 1688 and is a fine specimen of Dutch classicism, and is still in use by the municipality of Enkhuizen.
This coat of arms was partially formed by map makers who expressed their artistic freedom during the creation process. The oldest known seal dates from 1361. The herrings stand upright. They symbolize the importance of fishing for the town. Besides the herrings the seal also shows two six pointed stars. The seal was used until 1478. A new seal was created in 1538 (which is pictured here). This seal shows the herrings placed horizontally on a shield. This shield - or escutcheon - is held by a woman standing on the side.
Enkhuizen Town Hall Charter
The book in this picture symbolyzes the rights granted by William V, Count of Holland to the citizens of Enkhuizen in 1356. This is part of the facade of the Town Hall (Stadhuis) of Enkhuizen and it was built between 1686 and 1688 as designed by the architect Steven Vennekool.
Canal Goose in Enkhuizen
Geese are prominent in the canals of Enkhuizen. This pretty one let me admire him for a bit.
Reflections in Enkhuizen
The reflections in the canals of Enkhuizen were wonderful and I love playing with them and seeing how I can make them "art."
House Reflections
A shutter and window of one of the houses in Enkhuizen. The reflection was a perfect mirror to the shutter.
House in Enkhuizen
Little building squished between the Zuiderkerk Tower and Zuiderzeehaven. Every inch of land was well used in Enkhuizen which sits below sea level as most of Holland.
Monochrome Dutch Vignette
Often, images when processed in black and white the viewer can see the subjects better. Monochrome work fascinates me.
Stormy Stompetoren
Storms rolling in Stompetoren, Holland.
Reflections in Stompetoren
Sunset in Stompetoren, Holland.
Sunset at Zaanse Schans
The Zaans Museum, which was established in 1994, is a living history museum of windmills in Zaanse Schans, Holland. From 1961 to 1974 old buildings from all over the Zaanstreek were relocated to the area. The Zaanse Schans houses seven museums: The Weavers House, the Cooperage, the Jisper House, Zaan Time Museum, Albert Heijn Museumshop, Bakery Museum.
The Zaanse Schans derived its name of the river Zaan and its original function as sconce (schans in Dutch) against the Spanish troops during the Eighty Years' War of Dutch independence.
The windmill pictured is the Het Jonge Schaap (The young sheep) and the original was built in 1680 and demolished in 1942. Between 2005 and 2007 this replica was built based on detailed drawings Anton Sipman made before the original mill was demolished.
Dreamy sunset at Zaanse Schans
Three frame HDR shot at the living museum Zaanse Schans in Zaandam, Holland. This museum has a collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses.
Morning in Weesp
I had a 12 hour layover in Amsterdam on my return from Spain. I found a windmill close to the Schiphol airport and skies looked promising for a sunrise before my flight. Since the hotel I stayed at forgot to call me a cab, they provided me with a black car at their cost and had him wait for me while I took my shots. Sunrise was glorious!
The Weesp Windmill is named Korenmolen De Vriendschap and it is located on the banks of the Vecht canal. The windmill is operated as a craft mill a few days a week. Various grains are processed into flour and processed oats and mixes.