Monday, July 5, 2010

A walk in Duindorp


In late June, I participated in another event hosted by The Hague Bridge Project. Members of the AWC were invited by Hannelore Taal from The Hague's Hospitality Centre. Along with friends Yoka, Marilee, Eileen, Emily and Dan and a group of about twenty others we enjoyed a gorgeous sunny morning in an area of The Hague I hadn't known existed and it was lovely.

The city of The Hague is renowned as the International City of Peace and Justice. It is home to some 40,000 expats. During the four or five years that expats tend to spend in The Hague, they do not necessarily have to integrate. They do, however, need to get to know the city. The Hague Bridge Project addresses that need. Every few months, a different district of The Hague is in the spotlight.

Scheveningen was the first district in the spotlight and had the pleasure of being invited on a guided walk through a very special part of town - Duindorp. This unique, almost isolated little village, enclosed on three sides by sand dunes, is just a minute from the sea.

We were welcomed by Willem Post, international advisor to the City of The Hague
and Danielle Harthoorn, branch manager of community centre ‘Trefpunt’ in Duindorp.

This interesting walk included a visit to the annual Duindorp Fair and the seawater thermal power plant - the only one in the world! We ended this historical tour at a beautiful beach house restaurant with lunch and an open discussion about life in Scheveningen / The Hague with Mrs. Van Aartsen (wife of the mayor of The Hague).









It is very obvious from all of the Oranjegetke (the "orange craze" - that occurs during Queen's Day and during football and other major sporting events), and the ubiquitous Hup Holland (Go Holland!) message that World Cup fever is hot in Holland. There are also signs that this is the end of the school year, with back packs and school bags hanging on flag poles indicating that the student has passed his or her exams.)



Below is a film with pics from the day...