Wednesday, 4 March 2015
View from my apartment ....
I have a 2-bedroom corner apartment on the 4th floor. It has a closed in deck / atrium. Here are some photos of my apartment overlooking the river Maas:
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Some Castle photos...
I finally have downloaded some photos....See some of the sites I have visited on the weekends so far...
1. Castle Groeneveld....
3. Castle Schaloen...
1. Castle Groeneveld....
2. Palais Het Loo....
3. Castle Schaloen...
4. Castle Oost
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Today, I decided to go visit the capital of Limburg...Maastricht. What a beautiful city! There is a lot to see here, so I actually need to return in the future to finish my sight seeing.
First place I visited is Fort St. Pieter. It is about 5 km outside of the city itself, up on a hill side. It is a historic place (it dates back to the early 1700's) and overlooks the city. It is easy to walk around, though if you want to tour inside, it is a guided tour.
The other place I visited was in the heart of the city, the Basilica of St. Servatius. Unfortunately, it was closed and I could not enter. I am realizing I have to go to do sightseeing on Saturdays, as many places are closed on Sunday (who would think a Roman Catholic Church would be closed on Sundays!).
I walked around the city market a little but it was packed so it was a challenge to get around. The buildings are in fantastic condition here, and you really feel like you are stepping back in time. The wonderful part of Maastricht is it is on the river. There is actually a lot of road work going on here making driving a challenge.
I have learned recently many European cities don't allow cars into the city centres. I think the best way to get there is the train. When I go to Cologne in Germany next weekend, I will definitely go by train as they go directly to the city centres. The cost of the train is 20 euros to Cologne (first class is 50 euros) and takes 2.5 hours one way. And I really like the train (someone else is the chauffeur).
I am putting myself on a walking program. I need to further build my endurance to walk everywhere. I will start a lunchtime or after work for a short walk to begin and work my way up over the next 6-8 weeks.
Until next week,
Mary
First place I visited is Fort St. Pieter. It is about 5 km outside of the city itself, up on a hill side. It is a historic place (it dates back to the early 1700's) and overlooks the city. It is easy to walk around, though if you want to tour inside, it is a guided tour.
The other place I visited was in the heart of the city, the Basilica of St. Servatius. Unfortunately, it was closed and I could not enter. I am realizing I have to go to do sightseeing on Saturdays, as many places are closed on Sunday (who would think a Roman Catholic Church would be closed on Sundays!).
I walked around the city market a little but it was packed so it was a challenge to get around. The buildings are in fantastic condition here, and you really feel like you are stepping back in time. The wonderful part of Maastricht is it is on the river. There is actually a lot of road work going on here making driving a challenge.
I have learned recently many European cities don't allow cars into the city centres. I think the best way to get there is the train. When I go to Cologne in Germany next weekend, I will definitely go by train as they go directly to the city centres. The cost of the train is 20 euros to Cologne (first class is 50 euros) and takes 2.5 hours one way. And I really like the train (someone else is the chauffeur).
I am putting myself on a walking program. I need to further build my endurance to walk everywhere. I will start a lunchtime or after work for a short walk to begin and work my way up over the next 6-8 weeks.
Until next week,
Mary
Friday, 20 February 2015
Now the rain comes...
Another week is behind me here in the Netherlands. Carnaval is over for this year, and normalcy of day to day life in Venlo returned on Wednesday. All the festivities were captured on local television and there were people dressed up everywhere (even the supermarket). Though some colleagues take the entire week off, there were enough in the office to keep it hopping...today, it started raining and it reminds me of home so I made a cup of Tim Horton coffee this evening to reminisce.
The remaining furniture I was missing was delivered Thursday morning and I now have an extremely comfortable bed which reminds me of mine at home. The spare room is now set up for visitors...My replacement car also arrived (a little sporty Renault - very nice with similar bells and whistles to the Volvo I had but smaller). It is easier to maneuver and park. I discovered where the household garbage goes (out front in a special container which looks more like a small post box than a garbage container). Now if I can only get the dishwasher working, I am in heaven.
I have not decided what I may do this weekend. I will see if the rain lets up. I have a few errands to run so staying at the apartment this weekend may be best. Then I could jump over to Germany and maybe visit Cologne - it is about 1.5 hour drive.
sprechen Sie in Kürze (German for Talk soon),
Mary
Monday, 16 February 2015
Valkenburg or bust
Plans change and mine did when I decided not to go to Delft yesterday. I did more research on the area and found out there are 2 other places to visit relatively close by and the best time to visit is in early April so I decided to postpone.
Instead I went to a small town called Valkenburg about 75 km south of Venlo. It has quite a few historical places to see (a tower, ruins, and 2 castles) so I drove south. For the first time ever, I drove 130 kms / hr! I could get used to it....Drivers here are not quite as crazy as Vancouver so it is pretty safe though I learned when turning right, you must wait for a green arrow to proceed. Otherwise hefty traffic ticket.
Given I had extra time on Sunday, I spent part of the afternoon and evening making a more detailed itinerary for the next 4+ months in Europe. I am looking into various modes of transport to be the most efficient with time - sometimes driving is best, sometimes train travel, then there could be also flying is best as air fare is cheap (from Dusseldorf, Germany (near Venlo) to Siena, Italy costs under 200 euros). Also, most cities have tours so driving isn't necessary (and safer). I planned to have the majority of my itinerary completed by end of February so I made a good start.
Yes, I am taking photos though downloading them is proving a challenge.
Groeten,
Mary
Instead I went to a small town called Valkenburg about 75 km south of Venlo. It has quite a few historical places to see (a tower, ruins, and 2 castles) so I drove south. For the first time ever, I drove 130 kms / hr! I could get used to it....Drivers here are not quite as crazy as Vancouver so it is pretty safe though I learned when turning right, you must wait for a green arrow to proceed. Otherwise hefty traffic ticket.
Given I had extra time on Sunday, I spent part of the afternoon and evening making a more detailed itinerary for the next 4+ months in Europe. I am looking into various modes of transport to be the most efficient with time - sometimes driving is best, sometimes train travel, then there could be also flying is best as air fare is cheap (from Dusseldorf, Germany (near Venlo) to Siena, Italy costs under 200 euros). Also, most cities have tours so driving isn't necessary (and safer). I planned to have the majority of my itinerary completed by end of February so I made a good start.
Yes, I am taking photos though downloading them is proving a challenge.
Groeten,
Mary
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Fun driving in the Netherlands
Last week, I shared I planned to visit some castles in the Netherlands and so I did on Sunday. It was a cold but sunny day.
As with any adventure, one should expect things to go not exactly as planned. The first castle I went to visit was closed. So onto the next....
The second castle was called Groeneveld Castle (www.kasteelgroeneveld.nl/). It was quite cold but the place has fantastic landscape, a mote around the castle, and well, you can see the castle yourself at the website. There is a small café open in an adjacent building, and it was packed on the Sunday afternoon. The cool part of the café was there were tables next to some outdoor fires to keep visitors warm.
The third castle was called Paleis Het Loo (https://www.paleishetloo.nl/) which is a royal palace located in Apeldoorn (about 1.5 hours from where I am living in Venlo). It was huge and unfortunately, the gardens were closed for the winter. Also they were doing renovations to the roof but it was still stunning. There were also stables, formal restaurants, outdoor café, and a gift shop on site. Amazing place and I think I might return in May or June when the gardens are open. I am sure it would be a sight to see then especially with all the fountains bubbling too. I can tell you I was really tired after all this walking and driving.
I have to say the roadways in the Netherlands are far superior to ours in Canada. Makes driving very easy here.
Monday thru Wednesday, my colleagues and I had our global management days at a hotel conference centre about 65 km from Venlo. It was very nice - it is a former villa with wonderful grounds. The food was also very good. We did a few team events, one of which was a new trend called "Escape the room" about solving clues to escape from a locked room. It was a lot of fun and it lasts 1 hour per team. Thursday and Friday we were back at regular work and on Friday evening, I visited another grocery store called Jumbo. It reminds me a little of going to Thrifty Foods - thanks to Terry for recommending it. It is much improved over the other chain. The quality of foods is better too.
Tomorrow the plan is to go visit the city of Delft, which is about 2.5 hours from Venlo. It dates back to the 1700's so it is very rich in history. It is famous for the white and blue ceramics associated with Holland. Not sure about driving there...may have to park the car and walk around a lot.
Happy Valentine's Day to all (they don't seem to celebrate it here),
Mary
PS I forgot to share that when I visited the bank to set up my account, they offered me coffee (a latte)! Next time you go to the bank, ask about getting served a latte ...
As with any adventure, one should expect things to go not exactly as planned. The first castle I went to visit was closed. So onto the next....
The second castle was called Groeneveld Castle (www.kasteelgroeneveld.nl/). It was quite cold but the place has fantastic landscape, a mote around the castle, and well, you can see the castle yourself at the website. There is a small café open in an adjacent building, and it was packed on the Sunday afternoon. The cool part of the café was there were tables next to some outdoor fires to keep visitors warm.
The third castle was called Paleis Het Loo (https://www.paleishetloo.nl/) which is a royal palace located in Apeldoorn (about 1.5 hours from where I am living in Venlo). It was huge and unfortunately, the gardens were closed for the winter. Also they were doing renovations to the roof but it was still stunning. There were also stables, formal restaurants, outdoor café, and a gift shop on site. Amazing place and I think I might return in May or June when the gardens are open. I am sure it would be a sight to see then especially with all the fountains bubbling too. I can tell you I was really tired after all this walking and driving.
I have to say the roadways in the Netherlands are far superior to ours in Canada. Makes driving very easy here.
Monday thru Wednesday, my colleagues and I had our global management days at a hotel conference centre about 65 km from Venlo. It was very nice - it is a former villa with wonderful grounds. The food was also very good. We did a few team events, one of which was a new trend called "Escape the room" about solving clues to escape from a locked room. It was a lot of fun and it lasts 1 hour per team. Thursday and Friday we were back at regular work and on Friday evening, I visited another grocery store called Jumbo. It reminds me a little of going to Thrifty Foods - thanks to Terry for recommending it. It is much improved over the other chain. The quality of foods is better too.
Tomorrow the plan is to go visit the city of Delft, which is about 2.5 hours from Venlo. It dates back to the 1700's so it is very rich in history. It is famous for the white and blue ceramics associated with Holland. Not sure about driving there...may have to park the car and walk around a lot.
Happy Valentine's Day to all (they don't seem to celebrate it here),
Mary
PS I forgot to share that when I visited the bank to set up my account, they offered me coffee (a latte)! Next time you go to the bank, ask about getting served a latte ...
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Baby, It's cold outside...
Hi everyone,
Well, I am here 1 week tomorrow and all has gone well. The weather has been cold but sunny most days and there has been a touch of snow but it goes away when it falls to the ground.
Monday, I went to a town called Eindhoven, where they took my photo and fingerprinted me. No, it wasn't criminal, it was to register me as a knowledge migrant worker in the Netherlands. Once that was done, it was off to the new apartment (which is quite comfortable). I then picked up my car at Oce HQ, where I had the shock of a lifetime trying to figure out how to drive it! No key (it has a button), Navigation system took a little work to understand (but now I am a pro at it), and tons of other bells and whistles. My car back home seems old compared to this new vehicle (I have to take a photo of it). But it is temporary as the car I will have for the duration arrives this Wednesday (I hope it's as fun to drive...).
Most of this week it was dinner in the evenings with colleagues except Tuesday when I went...grocery shopping. Who thought it would be quite the adventure! Our grocery stores are built for speed, not so here. I spent 45 minutes shopping for just a few things. I could not locate anything where I thought it might be. For example,
Today, I went to the bank to set up a bank account (so I can easily exchange euros). The lady was really nice and encouraged me to participate in Carnival (think Mardi Gras with lots of beer). Apparently, the streets are blocked off in the town and visitors come from all over to see it. Carnival will be next weekend and last until Tuesday.
Tomorrow, I am planning to visit some historic castles in the Netherlands. There are about 4 of them within 2 hours of Venlo. I thought it would make for a great Sunday afternoon trip. Don't want to waste any time as it will go by quickly.
Stay tuned....
Mary
Well, I am here 1 week tomorrow and all has gone well. The weather has been cold but sunny most days and there has been a touch of snow but it goes away when it falls to the ground.
Monday, I went to a town called Eindhoven, where they took my photo and fingerprinted me. No, it wasn't criminal, it was to register me as a knowledge migrant worker in the Netherlands. Once that was done, it was off to the new apartment (which is quite comfortable). I then picked up my car at Oce HQ, where I had the shock of a lifetime trying to figure out how to drive it! No key (it has a button), Navigation system took a little work to understand (but now I am a pro at it), and tons of other bells and whistles. My car back home seems old compared to this new vehicle (I have to take a photo of it). But it is temporary as the car I will have for the duration arrives this Wednesday (I hope it's as fun to drive...).
Most of this week it was dinner in the evenings with colleagues except Tuesday when I went...grocery shopping. Who thought it would be quite the adventure! Our grocery stores are built for speed, not so here. I spent 45 minutes shopping for just a few things. I could not locate anything where I thought it might be. For example,
- eggs are stored in the aisles (not refrigerated)
- cream is not stored in coolers
- meat is stored in what looks like an ice cream fridge
- variety seems lesser than in Canada
- I still have to locate where the butter is kept :-)
Today, I went to the bank to set up a bank account (so I can easily exchange euros). The lady was really nice and encouraged me to participate in Carnival (think Mardi Gras with lots of beer). Apparently, the streets are blocked off in the town and visitors come from all over to see it. Carnival will be next weekend and last until Tuesday.
Tomorrow, I am planning to visit some historic castles in the Netherlands. There are about 4 of them within 2 hours of Venlo. I thought it would make for a great Sunday afternoon trip. Don't want to waste any time as it will go by quickly.
Stay tuned....
Mary
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