Sunday, October 18, 2015

How Do You Say, "Welcome" in Dutch?



This is a surf village in the Netherlands in the beachtown of Scheveningen.  It's open to surfers from all over Europe.  Welcome.

Here We Go....We Are Here!



This is the layout of the surf camp.  Let's explore further. 
Come along....And it's okay if you only speak English.

Looks Pretty Comfy!



So, if you arrive at the F.A.S.T. surf camp and need to rent a bed, here it is.  This site is city property turned summer destination for wave riders. 

Or You Could Rent a Surf Shack



There were many living situations at F.A.S.T. surf camp.  Many wave riders drove their vans down to Scheveningen, near The Hague, as this village and former fishing center, has the best surf on the coast of the Netherlands.

Close Quarters




Doesn't this look like fun!  It's pretty tight, but all I talked to were enjoying their stay and happy with the way the surf camp was being run.

The Campsite Includes a Restaurant




Up on the hill, oppposite the beach, was a warm and welcoming cafe in the surf village.  I had hot tea, and you really needed to be drinking something hot because even though it was summer, there was a chill in the air.

Yes, Very Inviting




What I love most about traveling around the world is making new friends and the F.A.S.T. surf campsite was a perfect spot for that.  Sipping hot tea in the warm afternoon sun with fellow surfers was heavenly.  Those who ride waves in their own country and around the world are so excited when I tell them I'm from Sunset Beach.

...And for Some Exercise in the Sand




Yes, a huge volleyball court for all the visiting boardriders and windsurfers at the F.A.S.T. surf camp.

Project Leader




This is Johnny who created the F.A.S.T surf camp on city property.  The land, next to the best surf spot in the Netherlands, wasn't being used so he proposed a temporary site for camping.  The government agreed and presto changeo!   How cool. 

Friends Are Everything




I am treated so well by friends and strangers when I travel.  Maybe it's my good looks or maybe it's my soft fur, but, most likely, it's my friendly attitude.  Simon and his two dogs led me to this campsite so I could learn more about their surfing village.  Now, that's a good friend.

As I've Said Before, Catch a Wave and You're.....




This wave is an art piece created from beach litter. 
Protect the sea, the ocean, and the river wherever you travel. 
Take good care of the Earth and take a bag to the shore and pick up what shouldn't be there and dispose of it at home.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Let's Go Surfing Now!



Even though the water is very, very cold, the waves at Scheveningen in the Netherlands draw brave surfers.

Beachcombing, Anyone?



What a treasure trove of seashells.  I love to collect rocks and shells as I travel the world, and this coast near The Hague in the Netherlands was a perfect spot!

Brrrrrrrrrr



My toes are getting a little numb.  I wonder how those birds do it?  The North Sea is a lot colder than the Pacific Ocean.  I am absolutely spoiled living in Hawaii.

A New Board, Perhaps?



Eddy owns VERSUS, a small surf shop in Scheveningen.  He was proud to show off his store's collection.  Hmmmmmm, think I'll pass this time around.  Did you notice the thick wet suits on the rack in the back?


Did Someone say, "Surf's Up?"



Back on the beach with two buddies who are waiting for their master to come in.  I sure love making new friends!

The North Sea Warning Light



Wherever I travel, it seems I always end up near the water.  This classic lighthouse in the fishing village and surfing town of Scheveningen caught my attention.  Isn't it tall compared to me?

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Bikes, Bikes Everywhere!



Should you ever venture to the Netherlands, you must learn to ride a bike.  They are everywhere.  Here I am in Rotterdam and in every direction there are bicycles.  I love it!  So sustainable....and healthy.

A Car, a Trolley, or a Bike?



Your choice.  Notice the tracks, the road, and the bike path.  I wish Honolulu had these opportunities to get from here to there, from the beach to the mountains.  We did have trolley cars long ago.

Watch Out!



You had better look where you are walking in Rotterdam.  Bikes are flying by, scooters are zooming close, and the trolley cars are coming every which way! And, of course, unless you are Dutch, you can't read the street signs. Yikes!

Baskets and Bicycles



I love, love the beautiful bouquets.  This bike made my heart full.  I had to stop and take a better look and appreciate the innovative (that's a "Fancy Nancy" word which means "clever") way to bring beauty to the streets of Rotterdam. What's your opinion?

Sunday, March 8, 2015

On the Continent



Finally.....after a night's long journey on the ferry from Harwich, England, to Rotterdam, Netherlands, I have arrived.  I really need my little doggy coat.  It's nippy here and I am so used to the tropics that I am shivering!

Say...........CHEESE



Marieke showed me around her hometown, a small fishing and surfing village near The Hague called Schevenigen.  Oh, my, have you ever seen so much cheese?  Take a whiff!!

Where in the World?



Yep, I am in the Netherlands.  Can you find something in this photograph that tells you I am in the "Land of the Windmills?"  Look hard.

Ummmmmm



I love bread!  I love super healthy bread, and the bread in the Neatherlands is heaven....so dense, tasty and good for my body!

A Beach Town?





No grass shacks like Hawaii, this European beach town of Scheveningen had quaint and charming architecture.  Everywhere I looked there was something interesting to see.  I love flowers, as you probably already know, so walking around this seaside village was perfect for me!

Come Along



One of the best things about traveling, in my opinion, is looking at the skylines of towns, villages and cities.  Scheveningen (it was so difficult to pronounce, my tongue just couldn't twist around for it to come out right) is one of the 8 districts in The Hague and tourists from all over Europe, especially Germany, come here to experiene the benefits of the sea.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Bye, Bye England......



My favorite way to travel....the rail.  Traveling west and north, I am making my way via bus and train to the East Coast of England, and on to the Netherlands.  (It looks like I might need to take a bath before I move on much farther.)

This Way Please....



I spent the whole day traveling towards the English Channel and it was fun.  Because I am so friendly, I always have a good time meeting the locals wherever I go, and they have a good time meeting me!!

My First Ferry Ride



I am heading from Harwich, England, to the Netherlands and the home of Dutch chocolate, Dutch tulips, and Dutch windmills.  Follow along!

Oh, Boy, Am I having Fun!!



The overnight journey across the English Channel from Harwich to Rotterdam took a little more than 8 hours, so Mom booked us into a cabin.  It was luxurious...crisp white sheets and our own bathroom with a hot shower. I like traveling in style, and we were!

Hello, Holland



Sailing into Rotterdam was so exciting.  I was ready for more adventures on the European continent!!

Take the Ferry



Yep, I recommend taking the ferry overnight from the East Coast of England at Harwich to The Netherlands.  It was very inexpensive......$80 for a cabin and the ride.  Pretty reasonable, if you ask me, your four-legged bargain hunting hound!