It's All Greek to Me

 Actually, it's German and I'm in Hamburg at a very fancy restaurant in a very fancy department store called Alsterhaus. 

The gourmet lunch buffet was fabulous and very reasonable!

My Taste Buds are Watering

Yes, make sure, if you are ever in Hamburg, you have lunch at Alsterhaus.  It's fancier than any department store in New York City!

Hamburg...Meaning Castle or Fort

Originally built at the command of the Emperor Charlemagne in 950, this historic town in northern Germany near the North Sea, is now the second largest city in the country.  Whew...this architecture took my breath away and did you notice the angel way up on top?

Quack, Quack at the Gateway to the World

This is the Elbe River which flows into the North Sea.  I loved seeing the old folks, all bundled up against the summer cold, feeding the ducks and watching the sailboats fly by.

Watching the World Go By

Hamburg was a fun town to visit...lots of bikes, young people, and
beautiful waterways to pedal around.

Bargains Ahead?

And now I am ready to go shopping in Hamburg!  Not exactly sure what that sale sign means.

Friends in the Netherlands

Simon and Marieke were so good to me on my visit to their home in The Hague.  They took me to many interesting places.  This canal is in the city of Leiden.  Come on along and I'll show you some more of the sights...

A Robot?

Nope, this is a parking meter in Leiden...sure looks like a robot to me.

A Two-story Home?

Take a better look and you'll see that this photograph shows a reflection of the brick house on one of the many canals in Leiden.  Did you notice the bird's nest?

Hundreds of Years Old

Leiden was established in the early 1300's, many years before Columbus landed in America.  The architecture is breathtaking and has so much character....details, details, details.  This town is home to  the oldest university in the Netherlands, also.

Coats of Arms

These shields, filled with symbols and figures, represent a family, a person, an organization, and sometimes, city or a country.  Medieval knights wore the coats over their armor.

A Secret Passage?

Hmmmm.  This little door on the canal gave me pause.  Never did find out if it opened or where it went!  A mystery.

My Favorite Mode of Transportation

Yes, this bicycle is not just a way to go from here to there on two wheels....which is my key to freedom.  I love the wind blowing in my fur and stopping anytime I want to sightsee or chat with friends.  This bike is more than that, it's advertising a restaurant.

A Souvenir, Perhaps?

There was such a fabulous selection of pottery in Leiden at little tourist shops.  See anything that would suit you?  I recommend this town!

Yes, I am in the Netherlands

Windmills, windmills everywhere!  Yes, those blades are turning today and creating free energy.  I love sustainability.  I'm a green dog, you know!

And on the Back Side

This wheel on the back of the windmill is for turning the blades to catch the wind as it changes direction.   It's like the wheel on a ship that turns the rudder which turns the boat.  

The Lowlands

This sweet, stone cottage along the canal is typical of many of the homes that line the waterways near the ocean in Holland. This country is right at sea level so the land is covered with canals. Did you notice the climbing roses! Take a whiff.

A Closer Look

Dutch houses are very solid, the roofs are very steep, and the walls are thick.  It gets pretty cold here in the winter.  Read the story, HANS BRINKER AND THE SILVER SKATES, and you will know just how freezing it gets in the Netherlands.

Uh, Oh!

Do you see how close the road is to the canal?  Yikes!  What happens when it rains?

Got Fish?

When you live on the sea, you eat a lot of fish.  This fishmonger didn't talk me into eating any on his herring.  I just shook my head and wrinkled my nose and very politely said, "No, thank you, I'm partial to dog biscuits."

Go Green, Ride Your Bike!

I am going to encourage my friends back in Hawaii to ride their bikes more and take lessons from the Dutch.  I want everyone's carbon footprint to lessen.  What's good for me and my heart is good for the planet.

Grrrrrrr

This is the coat of arms for the City of Leiden in the Netherlands.  Can you find anymore about it?  I searched and searched, but I can't read Dutch.

Dum, Dum, Da, Dum

I almost got swept away on this wonderfully-decorated bike, but then I remembered, those wedding bells weren't ringing for me!  Bye, bye Leiden.