Another day trip to The Netherlands

We are headed back to the Netherlands. 

This is just Explorafriend and I as we have had a kind offer by the people we are staying with to look after Explorason so he can play with his grandkids and go to the movies, so we decided to go back to Holland.

We took off like Thelma and Louise, with the sun shining in the blue sky as we started our beautiful day.

First stop, we drove through Antwerp but due to lack of time we didn’t stop and walk through – just a look as we drove around the historical section. We then visited Breda a cute town, so we parked the car and walked over the canal. Instantly we felt like we were in The Netherlands.

As the World Cup is on and their team won last night, the town looked and felt more like New Year’s Day. All quiet and strewn orange confetti from last night’s celebrations. There were loads of beer bars locked in the streets. All was quiet and serene.

Even the chocolates were orange or like flags.  We purchase a flag from every country we visit and use these for education for Explorason too. When we finish our trip, we are going to hang all the different shapes and sizes on a string in order of our trip. So far 27 countries – not bad for a 9-year-old and a 52-year-old.

Breda is a quaint town and the square has lovely alfresco dining.

Now it sprinkles with rain. Where did our sunshine go?  Grey clouds loom over the cathedral spire, so we move on.

Next, the Dutch town was Dordrecht for lunch.  

A lot of people from Belgium moor their boats here, so it is pretty as a picture.

We have lunch by the canal and it is nice to relax outside child-free for a day.  Even though I miss him, it is nice to have adult conversations and a little peace and quiet.

The wear looks a bit green, but it is pretty as a picture.

We pass a few empty streets, and empty drops and can see how the recession has hit The Netherlands too.

We wander into a small quirky store and buy a red check fabric piece for our picnic tablecloth.

We take another detour to see the canal on the way.

We were parked by Grote Kirk (Great Church) in the distance. We really haven’t got far!!  Time to move on.

So we grab a few more photo moments.

We then headed to Kinderdijk a town full of windmills lined along the waterways.

Some windmills were even turned into homes.

So we park the car and walk along a little bike track.

It is so pretty and quiet and vegetable gardens are alongside the canal – I could stay here all day in this serene place.

Every which way you turn is a windmill; pretty flowers and greenery.

As we drive off you can see the windmills lined along the canal. I want to stop and explore, but we have been held up when a car crash occurred on a little bridge, and it is after 5 p.m. now.

So we start to head back and farewell this pretty little Dutch area.  It is a shame we only had a short visit. I do hope to come back and spend longer another trip.

There is so much of the world to see. The more I travel, the more I want to see, and the more I realize the world is a giant place. I could Explore this planet forever!

Questions and Comments

• Have you been to the Netherlands?
• Did you find it fascinating?
• What places did you get to visit?
• Do share your comments with us below.