MY VIDEO WHY OUR CITY VLAARDINGEN IS AN INTERESTING PLACE TO VISIT

Greece Vacation 2018: Corfu

My family, at the back... The Old Fortess (on my separate story)

Sightseeing Corfu

A big business in Corfu. Souvenirs

My apology for it seems it takes ages before my story about my  Greek  vacation 2018 continues. This part three is all about Corfu. Its sound, its smell, and how I feel so incredible to be able to visit this rich of antiquities city. From Kavos, we drive down the hills, passed a winding road lining down the beach. Corfu starts to become familiar to me, because the airport is there, we have our first stop, took the car that my husband rented.

Where wise and intellect men of old gather

Just walking here is... Awesome!

Corfu coastline. The Old Fortress at the far.

What makes Greece more interesting to me is because I believe in the Bible. The New Testament is also known as The Greek Scripture. Corfu is a Greek Island in the Ionian Sea, home of the Ionian University. Corfu is full of Greek history from the beginning of Greek mythology. With those medieval castles punctuating strategic locations across the islands are the legacy of struggles in the Middle Ages against invasion of pirates and the Ottoman. I can even paint clearly on my mind its history of full battles and conquest, it was when we were inside the Old Fortress.

Delicious, honey-glazed complimentary Greek donuts.

City of many antiquities.

It only has begun... From Corfu, we set off our week of sightseeing, adventure, and making Greek memories. Sitting in the car, we were finding a place where we can park, my eyes feasted with a view, my heart leaps for a promising day in Corfu. At the far end, you will see a semi-ruined city, Venetian, will makes you want for more.  There is the double decker bus, as a London view. "Synagogue" is on the street sign, a complete suited rabbi passing by! Corfu remains as one of the most famous tourist destinations.

On our morning coffee break,  we have tasted this famous Corfu donut, served as complimentary together with our coffee. A donut with no hole, just like a ball, round, soft, honey-glazed. I told myself, uhhhh! I can stick around here eating this donut forever! 

A Morning Walk In Schiedam, the Netherlands

I am a flower lover anywhere.

Motherhood has taught me to become more patient and the self-sacrifice. But it is all worth it. Another milestone, my son is now in basis school or the elementary school. He has regular five days a week, morning and afternoon schooling.

Schiedam Centrum

A typical Dutch flower shop.

If it's excites my son, it excites me too. The life of having a time again for myself, for my hobbies, and a time to go out alone while he is in school. This morning, I went to the next city, in Schiedam. Schiedam is a bigger city than our city, Vlaardingen.

My Gambian friend.

My Gambian friend was with me. Her two daughters were also in school. We just stroll around the city, having fun, making photos, and inhale the air of temporary freedom.

at the top of Passage

At the time that we fetched our children, my husband was about to touch down in Amsterdam from Finland. While me and my friend were walking, I told her: it is great to become a mother.

Time for a delicious Surinamese bites.

It looks like in a book.

I feel the fulfillment in life, and I am happy that I am also a good mother. For now, I want to share some photos I made with my friend in Schiedam. It feels good to have fun every once in a while.

Stadsgehoorzal Vlaardingen, History And Theater

The musical stage play of Pip and Pim

Me and my son in front of the Stadsgehoorzal

The legendary Fieperdepiep Double Decker Bus

In 1817 the Harmonie (The Little Room) settled in the already existing film theater 'Het Zeepaard' on the Schiedamseweg in Vlaardingen. In the halls, a gentlemen's society regularly meets for formal and informal meetings. In the garden of the Harmony there are garden parties in the summer and there is a stage show in the hall. This is now the Stadgehoorzal in Vlaardingen. The story continues...

In 1952, the city auditorium designed by Sybold of Ravesteyn opens its doors. The Stadshoorzaal becomes the heart of Vlaardingen in the field of theater. Until the 1990s, the building remained virtually the same for a few minor adjustments. It was only in 1992 that the theater was transformed into theater and in 1998 the theater café made a thorough refurbishment. In the years that follow, there are various discussions about what to do with the aging building. The building designed by Sybold of Ravesteyn no longer meets the fire safety regulations. Several questions are raised: Should the building be thoroughly refurbished, or will it be demolished and will the Vlaardingen Theater be located elsewhere in Vlaardingen? Ultimately, B & W chooses a thorough refurbishment. From 2005 to 2007, the Stadshoorzaal closes its doors for a complete renovation of both the exterior of the building and the interior. On September 12th 2007 the festive opening of the new theater takes place, where it retains its old name: Stadsgehoorzaal Vlaardingen.

The Stadsgehoorzal  Vlaardingen is more than just a theater. The Stadsgehoorzal  characterizes itself as the theater before, by and with the Vlaardingers. Before the renovation, the theater was also called 'The living room of Vlaardingen'. The Stadsgehoorzal  still wants to keep the local people, but also tries to reach out the people through the use of various marketing campaigns. The Stadsgehoorzal  devotes great attention to the big artists, but also less famous artists are given a chance at the theater. The organization tries to give new talent a chance by including them in the program. The program of the Stadsgehoorzal is versatile. There are performances in the area of ​​cabaret, miniature art, dance, theater, show, and  musical. In addition to all the shows that can be seen, the different rooms in the Stadsgehoorzal  can also be rented. Before the renovation there were three important areas in the Stadsgehoorzal , the Grote Zaal, the Kleine Zaal and the Theatercafé. After the renovation, three extra special spaces have been added. There is a VIP Lounge, a Glaze Foyer and a Foyer. All these spaces can be used for meetings, courses, receptions or lectures.

My first visit at Staadsgehoorzal was when I accompanied my son to their educational day watching the musical play Pip and Pim, as well as the Fieperdepiep Festival. The highlight was our free ride in the 100 years old double decker red bus "Fieperdepiep Bus" that for my son was something unforgettable. I am sharing this experience through some of our photos.

Playing space at the Theater Cafe

The corner for those children who like to show their art work.

Mother and son, at the top of the double decker bus. A short city tour.

My son never neglect our bus ticket :)

My son still remember this experience of riding in a double decker bus.

Exploring Rotterdam

at Rotterdam Central

It was Monday. It was a great time with my son. Just walking around the city with all its diverse culture and nationalities. Just walking, not thinking of anything, not busy in making photos, yet I am glad that I have made this one for my blog. Me and my son just walk and I feel too the enjoyment just letting my son mesmerize with everything he see. We always go in Rotterdam with my husband in our car. It was my first time to took my son alone to this big city. We went by the bus, we went back home by the tram, and my son was so happy for the experience. We were already sitting at Poh Vietnamese Restaurant to eat but then I changed my mind. I do not like to eat there just like that... Without my beloved husband. We took the tram just infront of the restaurant, and we headed home. My son was questioning me why we left the restaurant without eating, I just told him: mama loves the coffee at home. 

Lijnbaan And Touwbaan In Vlaardingen, Survived The Test Of Time

The photos I am sharing today are photos I made in Lijnbaan and Touwbaan. These old structures rouse interest to those who are visiting our old city. These structures were dated back in 1611. The building of Touwbaan started  April 23, 1611. Yes, that old! These buildings were used as an ancient factory. From 1611 onwards, the ownership was passed from one to another. These buildings survived wars, survived the test of time. Nowadays, it became one of the attractions in our city. There is a sports school nearby, there is a quaint cafe-restaurant in between the other old buildings. During summer, there are tables and chairs scattered outside of the cafe, a cosy and relaxing place to sit, have a drink, and soak in the sun. As I am writing this, I realized that there are beautiful spots just within our reach. All we need is to unravel it. 

Today (Poetry)

Can't ask for more. At Oude Haven. Today

The birds were singing,

a sign that it is a springtime again.

A promising morning

with the glow of the sun.

The brick street is damp

from the last night's mist.

I open my eyes

with full of delight in the beauty of the day.

Laughs, loving voice clings

to me all the day through.

The walk of my soul

is grateful for the dreams that turned real,

for the  like that turned to love.

My thoughts compose

of nothing but truth, and love, and liveliness.

I shall share a little part of me, of my heart

Today.

Visbank In Vlaardingen, A Preserved Building From An Old Era

The back view of Visbank.

Visbank. Vis is the Dutch word for fish. This place named Visbank because in the history, it is a building where the catch of fishes was being held and stored. The building was built in the year of 1778. Yes, it is that old! Inspired and designed by Jacob van Schie. Our city is famous too because of the haring or herring. The Visbank is located at the Oude Haven. The age, the history, and the view at the harbor (haven) made this place one of my favorites. The place is accessible, whether I will go to the supermarket, or to my doctor, or even to just hang out. In the year 1984, it became a flower shop, on 2006, it became a lunch room, and on 2014, it became and ice-cream saloon until today during summer. The Visbank has contributed so much to the history of Vlaardingen that it has a miniature at the famous tourist spot in The Hague, the Madurodam. I want to show some of my Visbank photos.

Vlaardingen, the Netherlands. Where I Live.

summer time at the Oude Haven

the beautiful springtime in our town.

To all my readers around the world, this blog is especially written to let you see the place where I am now calling "home". It was a long and difficult process of assimilation that until now continues. From the southeast, I moved to this side of the world. Today, the temperature drops to -2. My son is a bit sick today, that his teachers called me to pick him up early because he has a fever.

the heights of beautiful autumn colors.
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I think, our city has one of the most beautiful autumn view in the world!

winter time 

the blue sky always amaze me. Bluer than blue :)

I want to share some photos that I made just around Vlaardingen, where I live. There are times that I made photos just by heart, and not by the head, especially when the subject is my favorite such as people I love, food I eat, or places that I see often. I hope you will like them. Photos I made from the four seasons.

I always caught a beautiful cloud formation at the Oude Haven.

this place is so close in our home. 

Old shops, restaurants and cafe around the town.

A Great Dining Experience At 't Oude Raedthuys

my delightful plate of dessert

Who loves dining out? I bet you do. Me too. The Netherlands has so many good eating places. Because of diverse culture that are residing in The Netherlands, there are restaurants that cater local foods of a specific country. You can find Chinese, Vietnamese, Turkish, Greek, even a Filipino restaurant, and others. But of course, Dutch restaurant offers something that's really different from the rest. What I like when we dine out to a Dutch restaurant is the location, the ambiance, and the food of course.

Last Saturday, my mother in law gave us a dinner treat. It was a great dinner treat. My mother in law is, I would say very classy. Every time she invites us to dine out, for me, it is something to look forward to. She always chooses a fine restaurant for us, where we can enjoy our times together.

' Oude Raedthuys. The restaurant where we have our dinner last Saturday. Oude Raedthuys is located in Schiedam, the next town from Vlaardingen. We have a reservation. When I saw the restaurant from the car, I noticed right away that it is an old building. From the menu card, I have learned that the Oude Raedthuys building was built in 1890. You can calculate how old it is now.

The Oude Raedthuys building is a former town hall, but now it is a beautiful eating place. They served lunch and dinner, I think also brunch. It is a two storey building. When I went upstairs to use their toilet, I saw the place upstairs is to hold events or party.

On the ground floor is a cozy dining room which is ideal for groups. It is cold season now, so I understand it that it gets dark early, and the dining hall is for me dark even there are hanging old lamps. There is also a bar where you can lounge after dinner.

The ground floor is not that spacious. In my estimate, it can accommodate only up to 40 persons. There were three or four staffs that are taking orders and serving. They are fast, brisk, and polite but we waited our foods for nearly an hour.

with my Dutch family.

I ordered for mosselen (mussels). When our foods were served, I eat right away! Hahaha We are used to eating dinner at 6 o clock and that time, I feel really hungry! I don't even make a photo of my big plate of mussels for my blog! Hahaha! It is a fried mussels, sauted in many onions, tomatoes, and paprika. It was very delicious! All of us enjoyed our food, even my son. When we took our seats at our designated table, the life size menu card hanging beside our table, the list of desserts are very tempting! Hahaha!

When we dine out, I usually don't order for dessert. But that night, I love to eat dessert. I have waffles with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and cream. It was a delightful dessert. The waffles is not too sweet, it was like, the ice cream provided the sweetness.
After dinner, we drive back home my mother in law. We all went home merry and full.

Have a nice weekend to all! Until my next dining out! That is very soon because it will be tomorrow with my two dear friends. Bye!