Rotterdam & Delft

This day started out particularly cold... The wind made every non-covered part of your body freeze. 

First stop: Rotterdam

Rotterdam is quite modern and it is also the second-largest city in the Netherlands with one of the largest ports in the world. Recently it has also grown into a major international commercial center. 

@ city hall

On May 14th, 1940 during the German invasion of the Netherlands in WWII, there was an aerial bombardment which destroyed much of the city center. The goal was to get the Dutch to surrender by breaking the Dutch resistance and help the German troops fighting in the city; however, negotiations had been successful so there was no need for bombs but there was some failed communication on the German side.

This means you can still find some old buildings such as the city hall, yet most of them are very modern. In the picture above, outside the Museum of Rotterdam you can find a depiction of the city from 1940 - with what was destroyed and what was left.

Erasmus

modern architecture

Of course one of our stops was the Erasmusbrug. Despite all the construction around and also throughout the city, it was quite an enjoyable trip.

@ Erasmus bridge

tulips :)

More leftover time on the second day, which is why we decided to add Delft to our initial plan. There was more time for Delft than there was for Gouda - which was fortunate because we were able to still find shops and churches open for us to see. Part of the experience of a tourist is also to buy souvenirs :D

Second stop: Delft

@ bike parking

For 2€ only we were able to climb to the top of the Niewe Kerk where we got a spectacular view over the city. It was a challenge to climb all the way to the top, with very narrow stairs  which seemed to go on for ever... But we made it!

view from the Niewe Kerk

blauwe hart

Delft is know for its center being like the typical Dutch town - with canals. You can also find the Delftware (blue pottery) here. In my house there is a wall full of things that have been hung over the years from places we have visited. One of the conditions of these objects is that they can't say where they were bought but they must be able to represent something about the place. So, here I bought a small plate made of Delftware and which has a traditional picture of the Netherlands - tulips, a windmill and a girl dressed in the traditional clothes :)