It's about time!

It's been over a month since I've written - mostly because there's been so much to tell and too many distractions to find the time. Now, I'm on holiday and, finally, I find time waiting for me. So, if you find this entry, thank you for your faithfulness. I've missed writing as it keeps me grateful.

Now, about that weekend holiday I took in November

We saw a lot of sights worth seeing, for sure. One of the things I treasure while traveling to new lands are the little differences I discover - the way a roof is tiled or the strange material used in building a fence. Enjoy.

First, the Pancake house we stopped at on our way to the vacation park in Aelderholt. Here we sit inside with our huge Dutch pancakes, full-on authentic decor. Outside, is a criss-cross thatching and a style of gate we saw all over the region. I love how these traditions are kept alive.

Our first day, we went to Dierenpark (zoo) in Emmen. It began with a truly magnificent indoor butterfly garden. We spent at least an hour there - mostly waiting for Nico's camera to defog. As you can see, it finally did. I can still remember the awe these beauties inspired. Of course, we saw some mammals that stayed with us as well. Can you believe they had a grizzly? Poor fellow, so far from home. The theme of the zoo was China lights. It was beautifully decorated.

And the hunebed, the monolithic tombs dotting Holland's Northeast landscape. We visited the Nationaal Hunebedden Informatiecentrum in Borger where I learned a lot about the tomb builders. The actual monument nearby is the largest in all Nederland. Originally, these would have been covered up with grass and the chamber dug out beneath.


Lastly, our little vacantie huis. The pool table was part of the entertainment at the vacation center as well as a spa, sauna, Turkish bath, and swimming pool.