Girls in The Hague

This past weekend my dear friend Brenda from the States came to visit (while Alex was in Newport, Rhode Island on a golf weekend with the lads). Brenda had a business trip to London planned so she came to visit for a couple of days while she was on this side of the pond. Brenda arrived on Friday and left on Monday. She and Alex crossed paths at the airport as I picked him up from his trip and then dropped her off for her return flight to London.

We didn't have lots of time, but we did have fun spending time in Wassenaar and The Hague, with a particularly nice afternoon and evening in the Scheveningen area of The Hague which is on the beach and at the end of the boardwalk there is a bungy jump - and no, we didn't even consider it! You'll see a brief video clip here of the synchronized kite flying we watched from the pier - quite something, really.

We spent some time at an outdoor place called Peuki, which had comfy seats, open fires and most excellent music. We had dinner at a very interesting Middle East restaurant called Topkapi, which included live music and a sequined dancer who balanced a machete on his head while he danced.

(Left: Brenda is a little naughty...)

We took busses and trams and managed to do a little shopping, eating, drinking and just having a good ol' time! On Sunday we went for a meal at Flamingo Paradise, an Indonesian restaurant right in Wassenaar where we had a proper rijsttafel meal (the pictures show a meal just for two!).

Prinsjesdag

Last Tuesday I attended a pretty cool event in The Hague. On Prinsjesdag (Day of the Princes) there was quite a procession as Queen Beatrix rode from the Noordeine to the Binnehof to open Parliament.

We were able to watch all the pomp and circumstance from the windows of the restaurant where we had a private luncheon (an Indonesian rijsttafel buffet). We were able to see the Queen's gold carriage, the bands and riders on horseback, and the entire Royal Family with military escort.

Here are a few pics from our special spot at the Garoeda Restaurant.

A Typical Sunday

Summer is starting to fade, as evidenced by the cooler air (most noticeably at night) and the appearance of brightly colored berries instead of flowers everywhere.

Yesterday, we did what so many of the Dutch do on Sunday, and enjoyed the the day, soaking in the sunshine and cycling through the dunes. As most places are closed on Sunday (something which took some getting used to, but to which we now look forward), it is a day meant for such things and families were walking, cycling, horseback riding and enjoying ice cream cones, or picnics of apples and cheese.

We are fortunate to live in a beautiful area near the North Sea, which we get to by riding through the dunes. There are many beaches, and miles and miles of bike path in several directions.

Here are a few pics that will give you an idea of the kind of day it was.