The original do-it-yourself travel guide to Europe SM

Queen's Day Photos
Koninginnedag in Amsterdam and Haarlem
The Netherlands (a.k.a. Holland)

Here are some of my photos from Queen's Day in Amsterdam a few years ago.


John Bermont
A page from
enjoy-europe.com
by photographer and author John Bermont.

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Queen's Day is arguably the best one day party on the third sphere. Most of the action takes place in the crazy streets and boulevards. If you're lucky and know someone with a boat here is the other option.

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Actually there is no Queen's Day. In Queen's Dutch the celebration is known as Koninginnedag. We began our sortie from B&B Paula on the west side of Haarlem, on bicycles. Here we pass the first of many Vrijmarkt garage and trinket sales. The round sign means no parking and the arrow advises incoming traffic that it must turn right.

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Pedalling all the way to Amsterdam is a little too much, especially the return trip, so we took the train. At the Haarlem Station Paula considers it best to park in the inside garage. We paid €1 for the day. Free parking is any open space outside the station, and there are thousands of bikes everywhere. No matter where you park it, lock it or kiss it good bye.

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The ticket machines at Haarlem station are the convenient way to buy a train ticket, if you have a chip card. European bank cards have a chip and PIN to avoid the credit card companies. With an American credit card you are penniless at these machines. A few of the ticket machines accept coins. Or you can go to the window and pay in cash. Lines at the ticket windows are longer and the ticket costs you half a euro more. Luggage lockers at the Haarlem station also accept only chip and PIN cards. I was able to use a locker by paying a passerby who used his Dutch bank card to access the locker. Dutchies love Americans, but not our politics.

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Everybody wanted to go to Amsterdam on Koninginnedag so the station was mobbed. So were the trains. We didn't have to wait long before being admitted onto the platform and boarding a train. It was standing room only but the trip is only 15 minutes.

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Getting off in Amsterdam the mob got moving toward the exits. That green sign with a white box and arrow indicates a stairway to the ground floor.

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After exiting the station we followed the mob, most of which seemed to know where to go.

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The front steps of the Albert Heijn grocery store behind the palace was a resting place and beverage stop for some. The store was open for business.

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Paula pulled a beer out of her bag to get started in front of the grocery store.

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Another view of the front steps of the grocery store shows many Amsterdamers in orange, the national color.

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We were already getting hungry. A good sandwich and a beer hit the spot in this little bakery.

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Our first objective was to reach the Spui and several of my favorite cafes in Amsterdam. Beer stands were set up out front for the convenience of thirsty celebrants. That is the Cafe Luxembourg on the left and the Hoppe on the corner.

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Here is the side door of the Hoppe with a traditional Dutch bike parked against the window. Normally this neighborhood is swarming with bicyclers but there wasn't room to move on this day. Through the window you can see a fellow entering the men's room. This bar does not have a women's room. Ladies need to walk behind the tap and through a door to the Amstel bar next door. See the previous photo.

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This young woman was grilling burgers and having fun.

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"Coffeeshops" are famous in Amsterdam, except that they don't sell coffee. It's weed.

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Here's a garage sale Amsterdam style. I didn't see anything that I couldn't live without.

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Here I found something I couldn't live without, that painting of an undefined bug. It cost me €1. Who knows, this girl might grow up to be a famous artist. She is certainly a very good merchandiser. Look at that smile.

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I got a gift for daughter Stephanie here, a seashell necklace.

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This is a typical mobbed street on Koninginnedag. The round sign means "do not enter" and the small white one says "except for bicycles and motorized bicycles." Bicycles with engines up to 50 cc were called bromfiets in Holland but Dutchies normally call them brommers these days. Nobody is riding a bike or a brommer here today.

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Bring your junque and a blanket to set up shop. Here is another Amsterdam garage sale. Actually, I doubt if there are any private garages in the center of Amsterdam.

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There is plenty of action in the canals with music and cheering participants and spectators. Amsterdammers have a special talent for standing on the edge of boats without falling into the wet stuff. It's a free show.

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I wanted to buy an orange bobbie's hat but they wouldn't fit me. Drats.

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Here is one of the many groups doing it's thing somewhere near the Leidseplein.

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The whole crowd at the Leidseplein wouldn't fit on screen. The Leidseplein is one of the more famous outdoor cafe squares in Amsterdam. Not many were sitting on this day.

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It was the right day for an outdoor party so this happy group hauled their furniture out on the street to be comfortable. "Emergency exit" -- bah.

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There is no end of restaurants with outdoor grills.

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Another canal and another parade of overloaded boats.

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SRO on the bridge.

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A comfortable dude with room to stretch on his boat.

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Just another garage sale. It looks like the cowgirl is making a purchase.

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Drinking a lot of beer requires a place to let it out. The city sets up these urinals for the gents all over town. It's best not to step on a wet spot. If you are bashful and don't want to piss in public use a cafe, BUT don't be surprised to have a parade of girls passing behind you as they make for the stalls. Almost anything goes in Amsterdam, especially after half of the citizens drank their fill. The trash scene looks bad but it is not nearly as bad as in prior years. As an ecological move, and certainly one to save clean-up costs, there is a deposit on plastic cups at every bar.

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The raft looks like it has nearly exceeded its capacity limit. Those glass houses comprise the famous flower market on the Singel, one of the half dozen or so horseshoe shaped canals around the center of Amsterdam.

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Let's see who can make the most noise, the band at canal side or the boat with its disk jockey. Notice the load of empty beer cans on the boat.

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We take a moment of repose back at the Hoppe. This is certainly one of the best meeting places in Amsterdam. It is very crowded after the offices and shops close.

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And then it is back outside for "The Main Event Spui Orange." Up on that bridge is a pop star, I guess, with a couple of his group dancing. If you are having a bad time you are on the wrong orb.

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The boys saw my camera and gave it their best.

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The party is over as we walk back to Amsterdam Centraal Station. It has been a great day.

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But wait, it's not over yet! Back in Haarlem we stop at the Proeflokaal on Langeveerstraat where the Haarlemmers are still in party mode at full throttle. Go Haarlem, my home town in Europe.
Table of Contents
HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook

All of the text, updated to May 2013, is available on line, FREE. Updated photographs with captions are available on line for those chapters as noted "with illustrations."
The entire book, copyright 2003, can be purchased by clicking Amazon.com.
Chapter 1, with illustrations.
What's It All About?
Travel Like a Native In Europe First home in Holland on the Spaarne River in Haarlem. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/01-0117.jpg


Chapter 2
On Budget in Europe
Travel Costs


Chapter 3
Passport and Visas
Essential Identity and Travel Documents


Chapter 4
Flying to Europe
Travel Starts at the Airport


Chapter 5, with illustrations.
What to Wear in Europe
Travel Clothes for all Occasions Stephanie in Paris. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/05-1895.jpg


Chapter 6
Your Packing List for Europe
A Short List for Travelers


Chapter 7
Luggage for Europe
Let It Roll


Chapter 8
Cash, ATMs, Credit Cards
Travel Money in Europe


Chapter 9
Your Travel Diary of Europe
Notes Supplement Your Photos


Chapter 10
Europe Guide Books and Maps
Tomes for Travel


Chapter 11
Electricity in Europe
Travel Voltage Fundamentals


Chapter 12, with illustrations.
Photography in Europe
Travel with Your Camera The Austrian Alps from Hall-In-Tyrol, just east of Innsbruck. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/12-1204.jpg


Chapter 13
Bring a Smile
Travel Europe in Good Attitude


Chapter 14
Hotels, Hostels, B&Bs, Private Homes
Sleep Options for Travel in Europe


Chapter 15
Good Eating In Europe
Travel on Your Belly


Chapter 16
City Transport in Europe
Bus, Tram, Metro, Taxi, Bike, Boat, Shoe


Chapter 17, part 1, with illustrations.
Trains in Europe
A Primer for Riding the Rails An ICE high speed train parked at Amsterdam's Centraal Station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/171-P1230436f.jpg


Chapter 17, part 2, with illustrations.
European Rail Stations
Finding Your Way Around The train departure board at Brussels' Zuid/Midi train station. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/172-p1020015.jpg


Chapter 17, part 3, with illustrations.
Europe's Night Trains
City to City As You Sleep


Chapter 17, part 4, with illustrations.
Europe's Bus and Ship Services
Road or Ferry


Chapter 18, with illustrations.
Driving in Europe
Car, Van, or Motorcycle The Champs Elysees in Paris France. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/18-0440.jpg


Chapter 19, part 1
Telephoning to, from, and within Europe
City Codes, 10-10, cell phones, PTT


Chapter 19, part 2
Sending Snail Mail to & from Europe
Priority Mail, PTT, Poste Restante


Chapter 19, part 3
Internet and Email in Europe
Cyber Cafes, Keyboards, Your Laptop


Chapter 19, part 4
Telegrams
Wiring Cash and Keeping in Touch


Chapter 20
Health and Safety in Europe
Travel in Confidence but with Caution


Chapter 21
Working in Europe
Get Paid to Travel


Chapter 22, part 1
Moving to Europe
Things to Know Before You Go


Chapter 22, part 2
Living in Europe
Travel to the Max as an Expatriate


Chapter 23, with illustrations.
Shopping in Europe
Stuff You Can't Live Without The duty free chocolate shop at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/23-P1250471.jpg


Chapter 24
Shipping Your Treasures Home
Travelers' Options from Europe


Chapter 25
Passing Customs in Europe
Know the Rules When Crossing Borders


Chapter 26
Languages, Numbers, Alphabets
Encounter The Tower of Babel in Europe Sign: Please do not walk on the grass. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/DSC0649-PleaseDoNot


Chapter 27
Metric System in Europe
Grams, Meters, Liters, Celsius


Chapter 28
Time and Dates in Europe
Travel in a Different Time Zone


Chapter 29
Weather in Europe
Travel with Your Umbrella


Chapter 30
Melding with Europe
Travel Is Interesting and Entertaining


The Finale
Packing List and Last Call
For Travel In Europe Stephanie is ready to kick off at the airport. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/StephanieAtAirport.jpg




Time for High Flight.

Get going!



Learn the basic infrastructure:

Prime Travel Data
Elementary Travel Information for Europe
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland

France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Utilize John Bermont's exclusive:

TRAVELERS YELLOW PAGES
A Directory of Links to Products, Services, and Information
Airlines to Europe
National Tourist Offices
City Tourist Offices
City Information and Tours
Country Information and Tours
Luggage and Backpacks
Discount Air Travel
Villas and Homes for Rent
Hostels in Europe
Hotels in Europe
Auto Rental in Europe
Rail Services of Europe
Eclectic Travel Sites
Internet Search Engines
Photography
Guide Books for Europe
Educational Programs
Newsletters from Europe
Personal Travel Pages
Personal Trip Planning

Get open hours, costs, locations, and more:

Travelers Portfolio
Essential Visitors Information for the Top Sights of Europe
       Amsterdam       
Anne Frank Huis
Rijksmuseum
Van Gogh Museum
       London       
British Museum
Buckingham Palace
National Gallery
Natural History Museum
Palace of Westminster
St. Paul's Cathedral
Tower of London
Westminster Abbey
       Paris coming soon       
Arc de Triomphe
Tour Eiffel
Hôtel des Invalides
Musée de l'Armée
Opera
Montmarte
Cathédrale Notre Dame
Musée d'Orsay
Musée du Louvre

Exchange rates, weather, maps:
Up-To-The-Minute
Be informed before you go.
       Money Exchange
Chart/graph of the value of the euro 1999 to 2013. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/Euro-1999-2013b.jpg

Currency exchange rates, including the euro, British pound, Swiss Frank.
       Weather in Europe
Chart/graph comparing average temperatures in Atlanta, Chicago, Vienna, and London. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/weathergraph-s.jpg

Current European weather conditions and forecasts. Good luck.
    Maps and Time Zones
Free online maps of Europe. Guide to setting your watch ahead.
German Wine Labels: Taste and Spit
Label and bottle photo of a German Riesling Nahe blue bottle wine. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/GermanWineBottleLabel-s.jpg

How to translate the labels. Rieslings, Piesporter, Ice Wine, and other stuff to know.

Captioned photos from Europe
PhotoLog
Pictures of what we do in Europe.
       Queen's Day
Queen's Day boats in a canal in Amsterdam, Holland. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/Starting-s.jpg

Holland hosts a great one-day party, annually on April 30. Here is the action in Haarlem and Amsterdam.
       Keukenhof
A small portion of the magnificent flower garden at Keukenhof, Lisses, Holland. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/MorePatches-s.jpg

A beautiful huge tulip garden blooms during middle spring. We made a leisurely bike ride from Haarlem.
       Bull Flight
A small bull chases Stephanie in Spain. http://www.enjoy-europe.com/BullFlight-s.jpg

My daughter Stephanie enters the ring and encounters a baby bull in Spain, then flies for her life!
       O hey Europe
Stephanie's Blog. A 22 year old spends a month in Paris, with a weekend diversion to La Baule on the Atlantic coast.

Copyright
Internet edition
© 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 James J. Broad
All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés.
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HOW TO EUROPE
The Complete Travelers Handbook
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Keywords for this chapter:
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