My mini summervacation, Day 1/2
Jul. 21st, 2020 04:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beelikejAfter weeks of training new people at the office, I was very happy to finally be able to take a couple of days off. I spent the first two days reading on the couch with lushious breakfast and lunch in between, it was bliss. For a true summervacation feel, I wanted a bit of time away from home as well, within the limitations of social distancing, of course.
Since intense traveling wasn't possible, I figured I'd make the most of a nearby destination with just enough traintravel to make it feel like a journey but still be comfortable in these pandemic times. I was thrilled when I found a hotelroom with a bath in a town I hadn't visited before. It wasn't just any room: I arranged the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE for a night in a very fancy hotel in Haarlem. And this suite didn't have a regular tub, but a ... hammock bath. I couldn't wait to find out what that was like!
Before I check in though, let's do a little exploring!
Haarlem DAY 1: Sunday July 19
Masks are required on all public transport and at the platform you need to keep a 5 tiles distance (1.5 m). On the train it's advised to only use windowseats. I missed snacking while reading, but my mask is actually very comfortable:)
Even in July there are still some flowerfields left.
After almost two hours (with one transfer) I arrive in Haarlem!
Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (1526–1588) shipbuilder and timber merchant, who organized a women's regiment in defense of the city against the Spanish invaders during the siege of Haarlem in 1573 and Wigbolt Ripperda (1535-1573), military commander.
Crossing the Kruisbrug into town.
Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands, build in 1784.
The Gravestenenbrug with across the Spaarne river two monumental stepped gables from 1630.
'Foot of Mercurius' by Raymond Spierings (1996).
I get on a Canal Cruise, which starts on the Spaarne River and then goes around the canals through the city. You can see the top of the old domed prison, build in 1899 and in use until 2016. The building is currently being transferred into a university college.
Windmill the Adriaan, build in 1779, burnt down in 1932 Fully restored in 2002. Still grinding grain, but mainly for tourists.
A petrol station for boats:)
This bridge is called De Verfroller (the paint roller:)
Back on shore again. This little elephant is on the sidewall of the old Olyphant beer brewery (1550).
Building de Waag (weigh house, 1598) with the shield of Haarlem (four stars and a cross surrounding a sword) and its motto 'Vicit vim virtus' (Virtue conquered force). Originally the shield was held by two deer, yet more often it's two lions, but here it's two well-endowed mermen! (I'll happily provide a close up upon request:)
St. Bavochurch on the Grote Markt, the main square in the middle of town.
Statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster (1370 - 1440), the inventor of the printing press, according to the people from Haarlem. (He allegedly invented printing simultaneously with Johannes Gutenberg and is regarded by some in the Netherlands as having invented printing first;)
Cityhall with lady Justice.
The Meathall has cool animal decorations.
A bakery from 1900.
So many awesome facades!
The courthouse stairs.
My hotel, how adorable is that building? It's a former school from 1892.
I enter my Presidential Suite in the sitting area, ooooh!
The hammock bath is a fantastic feature (there is also an alcove with a big ass shower) I can't stop grinning. Through the bathroom you get to the bedroom (which also has a little sitting area). ALL HAIL TO PRESIDENT BEELIKEJ, HAHAHAHA!
I freshen up and retire with a book on the sofa for a bit before heading out for dinner.
Nothing fancy; I get some fries and a croquet that I eat on a bench in the nearby Kenau park:)
When I get back to the hotel and notice these nice Le Bourgeois seals on the front door.
I spend the evening hanging in the bath. This truely feels like a vacation:)
To be continued>>> Day 2 in Haarlem [DW]
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/561203.html
Since intense traveling wasn't possible, I figured I'd make the most of a nearby destination with just enough traintravel to make it feel like a journey but still be comfortable in these pandemic times. I was thrilled when I found a hotelroom with a bath in a town I hadn't visited before. It wasn't just any room: I arranged the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE for a night in a very fancy hotel in Haarlem. And this suite didn't have a regular tub, but a ... hammock bath. I couldn't wait to find out what that was like!
Before I check in though, let's do a little exploring!
Haarlem DAY 1: Sunday July 19
Masks are required on all public transport and at the platform you need to keep a 5 tiles distance (1.5 m). On the train it's advised to only use windowseats. I missed snacking while reading, but my mask is actually very comfortable:)
Even in July there are still some flowerfields left.
After almost two hours (with one transfer) I arrive in Haarlem!
Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer (1526–1588) shipbuilder and timber merchant, who organized a women's regiment in defense of the city against the Spanish invaders during the siege of Haarlem in 1573 and Wigbolt Ripperda (1535-1573), military commander.
Crossing the Kruisbrug into town.
Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands, build in 1784.
The Gravestenenbrug with across the Spaarne river two monumental stepped gables from 1630.
'Foot of Mercurius' by Raymond Spierings (1996).
I get on a Canal Cruise, which starts on the Spaarne River and then goes around the canals through the city. You can see the top of the old domed prison, build in 1899 and in use until 2016. The building is currently being transferred into a university college.
Windmill the Adriaan, build in 1779, burnt down in 1932 Fully restored in 2002. Still grinding grain, but mainly for tourists.
A petrol station for boats:)
This bridge is called De Verfroller (the paint roller:)
Back on shore again. This little elephant is on the sidewall of the old Olyphant beer brewery (1550).
Building de Waag (weigh house, 1598) with the shield of Haarlem (four stars and a cross surrounding a sword) and its motto 'Vicit vim virtus' (Virtue conquered force). Originally the shield was held by two deer, yet more often it's two lions, but here it's two well-endowed mermen! (I'll happily provide a close up upon request:)
St. Bavochurch on the Grote Markt, the main square in the middle of town.
Statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster (1370 - 1440), the inventor of the printing press, according to the people from Haarlem. (He allegedly invented printing simultaneously with Johannes Gutenberg and is regarded by some in the Netherlands as having invented printing first;)
Cityhall with lady Justice.
The Meathall has cool animal decorations.
A bakery from 1900.
So many awesome facades!
The courthouse stairs.
My hotel, how adorable is that building? It's a former school from 1892.
I enter my Presidential Suite in the sitting area, ooooh!
The hammock bath is a fantastic feature (there is also an alcove with a big ass shower) I can't stop grinning. Through the bathroom you get to the bedroom (which also has a little sitting area). ALL HAIL TO PRESIDENT BEELIKEJ, HAHAHAHA!
I freshen up and retire with a book on the sofa for a bit before heading out for dinner.
Nothing fancy; I get some fries and a croquet that I eat on a bench in the nearby Kenau park:)
When I get back to the hotel and notice these nice Le Bourgeois seals on the front door.
I spend the evening hanging in the bath. This truely feels like a vacation:)
To be continued>>> Day 2 in Haarlem [DW]
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/561203.html
no subject
Date: 2020-07-21 05:27 pm (UTC)I've only been to Haarlem once, and I'd really like to go back. We went on a trip from Amsterdam, forgetting that other parts of North Holland don't keep the same hours. It was a Sunday, and very, very quiet (and closed)! The Teylers museum was open after lunch though, so that was fun, and we had a lovely lunch in the market too.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 06:24 pm (UTC)I managed to see a lot in two days, but I definitely want to go back to Haarlem to explore more (and maybe try the Royal Suite of that hotel next, haha)