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One week in May: The Netherlands
Each time I arrive back in the Netherlands, I fall in love with it anew.
Muiderslot - Muider Castle
I love the tidy, little houses, with big windows, blinds open, to display to the world, the neatly ordered interiors. Even in the smallest village, each garden is impeccably tended, each house more beautiful than its neighbour, like they are all contestants in a Home Beautiful competition.
our accommodation in the village of Bakkeveen
I love the flat, emerald-green fields, stretching to the horizon, peppered with Friesian cows.
my aunt's home near the village of Oosterwolde
I love the old cities, steeped in history, centuries older than that of European settlement in Australia.
in the Hague
I love that everyone speaks excellent English, even though I like to practice my somewhat rusty, Dutch. I learnt to speak Dutch when, at the age of ten, I attended school in the Hague for three months, together with my sister.
the twins
But most of all I love being with my family here in Holland. We don't see each other often, but when we do, we can pick up our conversations from where we left off. The bonds that tie are stronger than the distance that divides.
enjoying a Sunday feast with family
The last time we were here was almost seven years ago, but it feels like only yesterday. We hired a car so that we could travel all over the country to visit as many of my relatives as possible, and each time we were welcomed with open arms. The only change I see is in my cousin's children. They have almost all grown up and left home to study or start families of their own. Time marches on, once cute toddlers, they are now doctors, lawyers, aeronautical engineers and holistic medicine practitioners in the making.
delicious lunch with my cousin, Ilona and her husband, Harry
Unfortunately, our joy was tempered by the decline in my uncle's health, suffering with vascular dementia, he is now in residential care. It was heartbreaking.
Our week here has ended too soon and we have parted from our family. Farewells were said, hugs shared and promises were made to visit us in Australia. Though we are thousands of miles away, when I go, a part of my heart remains here always.
Our trip is almost over, just a few days in Dubai to rest and recover from our hectic travels. I'll share some more details about that in the next episode.
In the meantime here are links to more photos from our time in the Netherlands.
Images from around Den Haag and Voorlinden
Images of the Hague
Images of Muiderslot
Images from around Hengelo
Images of Vinkeveen
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