On this day, we went back to road tripping across the Netherlands, seeing Delft, Rotterdam, and Kinderdijk.

We spent our time walking around the town square, where the city hall was located. The city hall is an example of the Dutch Renaissance architectural style, characterized by a symmetrical facade, ornate gables, and intricate detailing that reflects the artistic and cultural influences of the time. The facade showcases red brickwork, sandstone embellishments, and elegant windows. The central tower rises proudly, featuring a clock and a carillon, adding to the building’s visuals.

In front of the city hall, there was a outdoor exhibition by students from the Delft University of Technology, whose goal was “promoting a sustainable future by building the world’s most efficient hydrogen powwered city car”. It really reminded me of something similar students from UBC had been doing back in the day when I was at UBC, except it was a gasoline car (renewables were not that big at that time).

On the other side of the square is the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), renowned for its impressive Gothic design, rich history, and its role as the final resting place of members of the Dutch and Prussian royal family. Other notable people, such as Johannes Vermeer, also found their final resting place in Delft. This is something I missed out on – I only realized this after I had left.

In Rotterdam, we returned to the market hall, which offers a bustling food market, gourmet shops, and residential spaces. Countless stalls and vendors showcase a kaleidoscope of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, aromatic spices, succulent meats, and an array of international cuisine. We ate a variety of things like a duck confit burger, satay skewers, stroopwaffles, samosas, and pickled herring.

We walked over to the nearby old harbour from the markethall, a historic waterfront area dating back to the 14th century and was once a bustling hub of maritime activity. It’s also the home of heritage bulidings like the Witte Huis, known as the first high-rise buildin gin Europe. Today, the area has been transformed into a picturesque urban space adorned with vibrant terraces, cafes, and boutiques. It’s a huge contrast to the Cube Houses next door that are a set of residences shaped like cubes tilted at a 45-degree angle.

Our final destination of the day to the town of Kinderdijk, we saw a different set of windmills from what we saw a few days back. Netherlands’ windmills are a testament to the centuries-long battle against the sea. The majority of the Netherlands is situated below sea level, making it vulnerable to flooding from rivers, and the sea. Windmills played a crucial role in pumping water out of low-lying areas and draining marshes to reclaim land for agriculture and habitation. Both Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans are popular destinations to see Dutch windmills, but Kinderdijk seemed to have a more serene and rural atmosphere, surrounded by quiet waterways and fields, while Zaanse Schans is more accessible since it’s close to Amsterdam, where most international travelers fly into.

Here’s more of Delft, Rotterdam, and Kinderdijk

Originating from the picturesque town of Edam in the Netherlands, this cheese has a storied history dating back centuries. We visited the Henri Willig cheese store and a lot of fun sampling different flavours of cheese, and brought back home a 2kg ball of Edam.

Edam boasts a rich history steeped in maritime trade and medieval architecture. Strolling along its cobblestone streets, it felt like I transported back in time, passing by canals, centuries-old bridges, and beautifully preserved gabled houses. It’s only a short 30-minute car ride from Amsterdam, and is a popular destination for cycling tours too.

The town’s iconic cheese market (though closed on the day we visited), would have added a dash of old-world charm.

Moving on from Edam, we reached the nearby village of Marken, a village nestled on a serene island in the Markermeer. We wandered through its picturesque streets and admired the architecture of the quaint wooden houses.

Eventually, we reached the harbourfront and enjoyed the scenery. Life here seemed so much simpler, free of the complexities of modern life. It’s as if each day begins with the gentle lapping of waves against the shores and the sun rising over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the water. And in this small town, all the neighbours know each other by name and a greeting is never far away. The slower pace of life allows for a deeper appreciation of nature’s beauty. Sunsets over the water become daily spectacles, with evenings spent savouring simple pleasures – perhaps a freshly caught fish grilled by the water’s edge or a bonfire on the beach.

Though not far from Marken, immediately we’re teleported back to civilization. Their presence reminds us of how the Netherlands has advanced so much from the olden days of windmills.

Our next destination, was a nearby village called Volendam. We walked briefly along the seashore and along the inner streets, but didn’t stay long. After our enchanting experience in Marken, Volendam seemed to echo the same charm of Marken.

In a bit of a shift, we moved away from oceanside villages and made our way to the last destination of the day at the windmills of Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is a living open-air museum that whisks visitors back in time to the Dutch Golden Age. This captivating village showcases an array of meticulously preserved windmills, offering a genuine glimpse into the Netherlands’ rich industrial heritage. After so many visits to the Netherlands, this was actually my first time seeing actual windmills!

As we tried to enjoy the scenery around us, one visitor found himself in a sneezing spree from the pollen-rich air. The sneezes were so strong we could see the particles coming out, and it was tough walking behind him ever since having to deal with COVID. It was kind of comical.

Here’s more of Edam, Marken, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans