Sounds and sights of the sea in Monster, Holland

July 2, 2017 - Monster, Holland - Woke up Saturday morning to the sound of the sea; it lulled me back to sleep for another two hours; a weekend luxury, but (full disclosure) it was also raining. 

Packed up and headed to the sea. Windy weather was perfect for the kite surfers. Their speeds were fast and their kites lit up the sky along the shore. 

Pedaled south to the small community of Monster. 

Sam, 22, said he was 2 years old when his parents drove past a windmill and he was hooked. 

Sam took me for a tour and explained the mechanics of the mill. We stepped outdoors on the deck and he slowed the wings of the mill. Back indoors he pointed out the 'horse and the general.'  You could tell Sam loved his hobby. 

Teaser: Came upon this Passion flower in the nursery outside Monster called De Plucktuin. See next story!

Something your grandfather liked with saltine crackers.

July 2, 2017 - Monster, Holland - My kind neighbors, Jan and Dineke, at the campsite just outside Monster, Holland. 

A good introduction is to always ask for a bottle opener. Jan and Dineke were willing to oblige.

Our conversation ran the gamut from camping to health care to jobs and children and grandchildren.  

Fun!  The next morning Jan invited me over for coffee.  "When do you eat?" she said. She brought out a roll and some slices of cheese, a box of chocolate sprinkles and a hard-boiled egg. 

Jan was a foodie. I asked what food was unique to the culture in the Netherlands.  She mentioned herring. 

I already had a run in with that two days ago. I thought I was getting fried fish from a food truck. Instead I was given raw herring and onions in a sandwich. I gave it back. 

Raw herring. Something your grandfather liked with saltine crackers. 

I mentioned my tour in New Zealand when the couple from the church took me in and served me kiwi as cultural cuisine. 

I said we had those in the US, too, and then I ate it skin and all.

"You ate the hairy outside," said Jan. 

I said, "Yes. That's where the fiber is."

She looked at me and then at my plate. "I'm going to hate to see what you do with that egg," she said. 

Kaas, Hines and Simon

July 1, 2017 – Den Hague, Netherlands - A full day of museums under my belt and I was pushing to move along and get out of Den Hague. 

Beautiful city in Holland but busy with lots of shops, narrow cobblestone streets and lots of traffic. 

I have a physical map, the trusty Google map on my iPhone and the names of the streets on the side of buildings.... sometimes I still get twisted around. 

I'm sure the construction worker in a brilliant reflective yellow vest knew I was confused when I pedaled past him five times in a span of three minutes. 

But.. I'm getting better and yes, I know I said that yesterday, or was the day before. 

One of the benefits of being directionally challenged is the people I meet. 

I was south of Den Hague looking for a campsite in Monster. I found Kaas sitting on a bench and bothered him with my typical introduction. "Little English?" 

He took a look at the map and we chatted. We were soon joined by his son-in-law Simon and his sick dog Hines. 

On a good day Hines would have been barking at my heels and holding me to attention. Today, not so much. 

Kaas cradled him and stroked his ear. Simon later took him home and Kaas and I talked about the bike tour and Alzheimer's. 

He relayed his battle with Parkinson's and how the stress of a broken heart with his wife leaving made it that much worse. 

In the horizon, the thought of a grandson in November was giving him something to look forward to. 

My bike sitting in freedom outside the Prison Gate.

The alcove entering the Prison Gate.

The entrance to city hall. 

The Hague City Hall is a library and city or town hall 

that was built from 1990 until 1995.

Mauritshuis museum with the painting of "The Girl With the Pearl Earring."

Child and father watching baby ducks in the park.

Painting: The Girl With the Pearl Earring

June 30, 2017 - Den Hague, Netherlands - Stopped at the Mauritshuis. It was built between 1633 and 1644 as a residence for County Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegel, military commander and governor of the Dutch colony in Brazil for eight years. 

The architect was Jacob van Campen he created the first and very finest examples of Dutch classism symmetry grand plasters and Tampania give the building it's monumental quality since 1822.

The famed painting the girl with a pearl earring was on display. "This is an exotic girl," said the docent. 

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Found this candle holder unique. 

Some of the paintings from the museum next door which was open to the public:

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Perhaps a little torture hardware?

June 30, 2017 - Den Hague, Netherlands - The best thing about the Prison Gate was meeting Emily Clark, Brooklyn, NY and Maggie Mansfield, Santa Barbara, CA. The girls were actually from the Midwest. Emily went to school in Madison and Maggie was from Indiana. "South Bend," she said. "The other Bend."

The girls were studying in the Netherlands and came to explore the Prison Gate. 

BELOW: Some of the hardware you might expect to find in a prison known for its torture.