Netherlands Tour, July 2007

My first view of Amsterdam outside of the airport Schiphol. This is the tram.

2009-08-06T13:24:41Z

Sean Leather
My first view of Amsterdam outside of the airport Schiphol. This is the tram.

A look down a typical road in Amsterdam. This is midtown, near my hostel.

2009-08-06T15:10:33Z

Sean Leather
A look down a typical road in Amsterdam. This is midtown, near my hostel.

A look down a typical canal in Amsterdam.

2009-08-06T13:11:31Z

Sean Leather
A look down a typical canal in Amsterdam.

Closer to the center (a.k.a. downtown). The streets and canals are like concentric arcs (around the center) with spokes (to the center). You can see the curve here.

2009-08-06T14:05:21Z

Sean Leather
Closer to the center (a.k.a. downtown). The streets and canals are like concentric arcs (around the center) with spokes (to the center). You can see the curve here.

A friend asked me to get her an Amsterdam diamond. I said I'd think about it. The outside of the Amsterdam Diamond Center is as close as I went.

2009-08-06T16:04:16Z

Sean Leather
A friend asked me to get her an Amsterdam diamond. I said I'd think about it. The outside of the Amsterdam Diamond Center is as close as I went.

A close-up of the base of the National Monument.

2009-07-15T08:24:48Z

Sean Leather
A close-up of the base of the National Monument.

The National Monument in the Dam Square commemorates those who died in World War II.

2009-08-06T14:06:01Z

Sean Leather
The National Monument in the Dam Square commemorates those who died in World War II.

The Royal Palace in the Dam Square.

2009-08-06T13:38:05Z

Sean Leather
The Royal Palace in the Dam Square.

A close-up of the tower on top of the Royal Palace.

2009-08-06T13:36:38Z

Sean Leather
A close-up of the tower on top of the Royal Palace.

There were several of these tricycle-like contraptions. Amsterdam's version of the rickshaw, perhaps?

2009-08-06T13:52:50Z

Sean Leather
There were several of these tricycle-like contraptions. Amsterdam's version of the rickshaw, perhaps?

Pigeons in the Dam Square.

2009-08-06T13:21:04Z

Sean Leather
Pigeons in the Dam Square.

A bad attempt to get a picture of me standing in the Dam Square.

2009-08-06T14:25:23Z

Sean Leather
A bad attempt to get a picture of me standing in the Dam Square.

Everybody rides a bicycle. And almost all of them look like this.

2009-07-15T08:48:00Z

Sean Leather
Everybody rides a bicycle. And almost all of them look like this.

Equivalent to the Apple Store, I believe.

2009-07-15T07:48:59Z

Sean Leather
Equivalent to the Apple Store, I believe.

Westerkerk: "The Westerkerk was officially opened on Whitsunday 1631. It is one of the oldest churches especially built for the Protestant services, and the largest as such church in the Net ...

2009-07-15T08:26:26Z

Sean Leather
Westerkerk: "The Westerkerk was officially opened on Whitsunday 1631. It is one of the oldest churches especially built for the Protestant services, and the largest as such church in the Net ...

In line for the Anne Frank House. Unfortunately, they didn't allow photography inside.

2009-08-06T13:42:51Z

Sean Leather
In line for the Anne Frank House. Unfortunately, they didn't allow photography inside.

I heard that it would take one hour to get into the Anne Frank House. And, surprise, it did! (I don't know what that is on my cheek...)

2009-08-06T13:53:45Z

Sean Leather
I heard that it would take one hour to get into the Anne Frank House. And, surprise, it did! (I don't know what that is on my cheek...)

It looks remarkably like a certain TV show logo.

2009-08-06T14:17:29Z

Sean Leather
It looks remarkably like a certain TV show logo.

St. Nicolaaskerk, across from the train station, Amsterdam Centraal.

2009-08-09T04:20:04Z

Sean Leather
St. Nicolaaskerk, across from the train station, Amsterdam Centraal.

Netherlands countryside, taken from the train from Amsterdam to Utrecht.

2009-07-15T08:33:54Z

Sean Leather
Netherlands countryside, taken from the train from Amsterdam to Utrecht.

Arrival in Utrecht, fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

2009-02-10T12:47:09Z

Sean Leather
Arrival in Utrecht, fourth largest city in the Netherlands.

The Dom Church (or Cathedral of St. Martin) in Utrecht.

2009-07-15T08:43:54Z

Sean Leather
The Dom Church (or Cathedral of St. Martin) in Utrecht.

Statue outside the Dom Church.

2009-08-06T13:12:28Z

Sean Leather
Statue outside the Dom Church.

The Domtoren, or Dom tower. A tornado in 1674 destroyed the nave of the Dom Church, resulting in a separated tower and main church.

2009-08-06T14:14:00Z

Sean Leather
The Domtoren, or Dom tower. A tornado in 1674 destroyed the nave of the Dom Church, resulting in a separated tower and main church.

Underneath the Domtoren, looking at the statue outside the main church. Behind the statue, you can see some of the drawing of what the destroyed nave looked like. As you can see, there is al ...

2009-08-06T13:56:07Z

Sean Leather
Underneath the Domtoren, looking at the statue outside the main church. Behind the statue, you can see some of the drawing of what the destroyed nave looked like. As you can see, there is al ...

Underneath the Domtoren, from the other angle.

2009-02-10T12:50:16Z

Sean Leather
Underneath the Domtoren, from the other angle.

I went on a tour of the Domtoren. We went up a lot of steps in narrow corridors.

2009-08-06T13:04:55Z

Sean Leather
I went on a tour of the Domtoren. We went up a lot of steps in narrow corridors.

After seeing those steps, don't you wonder how they got these here?

2009-08-06T13:24:17Z

Sean Leather
After seeing those steps, don't you wonder how they got these here?

Our tour guide first spoke her part in Dutch. Then, she spoke (what I presume is) the same thing in English. However, after talking to a Dutch tourist, I'm not so sure I got the full story.

2009-07-15T07:59:15Z

Sean Leather
Our tour guide first spoke her part in Dutch. Then, she spoke (what I presume is) the same thing in English. However, after talking to a Dutch tourist, I'm not so sure I got the full story.

This is what the Dom Church looked like before the 1674 tornado that destroyed the nave (the long part in the center, between the tower and short perpendicular part).

2009-07-15T07:58:36Z

Sean Leather
This is what the Dom Church looked like before the 1674 tornado that destroyed the nave (the long part in the center, between the tower and short perpendicular part).

Interesting wall decorations in Domtoren.

2009-08-06T13:08:38Z

Sean Leather
Interesting wall decorations in Domtoren.

One of the many bells near the top of the Domtoren.

2009-07-15T08:22:20Z

Sean Leather
One of the many bells near the top of the Domtoren.

More bells.

2009-07-15T08:41:18Z

Sean Leather
More bells.

I started walking around the outside of bell room. This is not the top; that's coming soon.

2009-07-15T08:20:48Z

Sean Leather
I started walking around the outside of bell room. This is not the top; that's coming soon.

The Dom Church from above. You can see the representation of the former nave in the center.

2009-07-15T07:52:21Z

Sean Leather
The Dom Church from above. You can see the representation of the former nave in the center.

More bells.

2009-08-06T14:00:33Z

Sean Leather
More bells.

Visions of hammers on bells.

2009-08-06T13:55:15Z

Sean Leather
Visions of hammers on bells.

This is not a great picture, but it is neat to see. The wheel in the window is analogous to the music roll in a pneumatic player piano.

2009-07-15T08:45:33Z

Sean Leather
This is not a great picture, but it is neat to see. The wheel in the window is analogous to the music roll in a pneumatic player piano.

Something happened between 1902 and 1911. I think it was when this "new" bell tower had been built. Translation?

2009-07-15T08:21:13Z

Sean Leather
Something happened between 1902 and 1911. I think it was when this "new" bell tower had been built. Translation?

Scene of Utrecht from above. I didn't meet a Leeuwin, but I wonder if he comes up here often.

2009-02-10T12:47:18Z

Sean Leather
Scene of Utrecht from above. I didn't meet a Leeuwin, but I wonder if he comes up here often.

This was a hazy day in Utrecht.

2009-08-06T13:28:57Z

Sean Leather
This was a hazy day in Utrecht.

I'm squinting like a fool as a nice Dutch tourist snaps a photo on the top of the Domtoren.

2009-07-15T07:56:54Z

Sean Leather
I'm squinting like a fool as a nice Dutch tourist snaps a photo on the top of the Domtoren.

Looking up the tower.

2009-08-06T13:03:34Z

Sean Leather
Looking up the tower.

Now, we start going down.

2009-08-06T14:03:43Z

Sean Leather
Now, we start going down.

And down some more...

2009-08-09T02:02:17Z

Sean Leather
And down some more...

I pause to capture a keyhole view of the cityscape.

2009-08-06T13:57:33Z

Sean Leather
I pause to capture a keyhole view of the cityscape.

Still going down...

2009-08-06T12:50:46Z

Sean Leather
Still going down...

Just about there!

2009-07-15T07:56:32Z

Sean Leather
Just about there!

The next day, I went to Utrecht University. This is the entry to their library. Everything about this place was black. I'm not sure I like it.

2009-08-06T12:58:02Z

Sean Leather
The next day, I went to Utrecht University. This is the entry to their library. Everything about this place was black. I'm not sure I like it.

The side of the UU library.

2009-07-15T08:04:54Z

Sean Leather
The side of the UU library.

The front entrance to the UU library.

2009-08-06T14:41:13Z

Sean Leather
The front entrance to the UU library.

The inside of the UU library.

2009-08-09T02:32:19Z

Sean Leather
The inside of the UU library.

A nice creek on campus.

2009-07-15T08:00:09Z

Sean Leather
A nice creek on campus.

I saw this in passing on the tram, and I just had to get off to get a shot. This statue is called "Thinker on Rock" by Barry Flanagan. It is the exact same as the one that came to my alma ...

2009-08-06T14:09:40Z

Sean Leather
I saw this in passing on the tram, and I just had to get off to get a shot. This statue is called "Thinker on Rock" by Barry Flanagan. It is the exact same as the one that came to my alma ...

I then took the train to Delft. After arriving here, at Delft Centraal, I spoke with a very nice man at the bus station (glass building on the right), and he told me how to get to my hotel.

2009-07-15T08:02:46Z

Sean Leather
I then took the train to Delft. After arriving here, at Delft Centraal, I spoke with a very nice man at the bus station (glass building on the right), and he told me how to get to my hotel.

I walked about 3 blocks, again over bridges and around canals like the rest of the country. Note that even though you see a care moving below, the streets served pedestrians and bikers more ...

2009-08-07T03:24:44Z

Sean Leather
I walked about 3 blocks, again over bridges and around canals like the rest of the country. Note that even though you see a care moving below, the streets served pedestrians and bikers more ...

And I arrived at my temporary abode, Hotel Leeuwenbrug. (Don't ask me how to pronounce it.) It is a lovely place. My room was right above the door with the big windows and the flowers.

2009-07-15T08:41:06Z

Sean Leather
And I arrived at my temporary abode, Hotel Leeuwenbrug. (Don't ask me how to pronounce it.) It is a lovely place. My room was right above the door with the big windows and the flowers.

These are the windows I was referring to. I thought my room looked extremely nice.

2009-08-06T14:03:16Z

Sean Leather
These are the windows I was referring to. I thought my room looked extremely nice.

The very comfortable bed.

2009-07-15T07:57:09Z

Sean Leather
The very comfortable bed.

The very nice wardrobe.

2009-07-15T08:40:23Z

Sean Leather
The very nice wardrobe.

The toilet is on the right, and the sink is on the wall behind me. The thing to the left is called a bidet.

2009-08-06T13:26:35Z

Sean Leather
The toilet is on the right, and the sink is on the wall behind me. The thing to the left is called a bidet.

After exploring my room, I decided to walk around town a bit.

2009-07-15T08:40:48Z

Sean Leather
After exploring my room, I decided to walk around town a bit.

First, I found something to eat. The "Super Stroopwafel" was delicious!

2009-02-10T12:48:23Z

Sean Leather
First, I found something to eat. The "Super Stroopwafel" was delicious!

Then, I found some llamas.

2009-07-15T08:58:02Z

Sean Leather
Then, I found some llamas.

And lastly I found the tourists, or at least those who want the easy way around town.

2009-08-07T04:55:44Z

Sean Leather
And lastly I found the tourists, or at least those who want the easy way around town.

Later, I checked out the Delft University of Technology. Notice that the red "road" to the left is only for bikes. The road for cars is farther to the left.

2009-02-10T12:43:32Z

Sean Leather
Later, I checked out the Delft University of Technology. Notice that the red "road" to the left is only for bikes. The road for cars is farther to the left.

There are a lot of neat-looking buildings at TU Delft. Some live in a wet environment. This is the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials in the middle of (what looks like to me) a sw ...

2009-08-06T13:22:37Z

Sean Leather
There are a lot of neat-looking buildings at TU Delft. Some live in a wet environment. This is the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials in the middle of (what looks like to me) a sw ...

The same building from a different angle showing some kind of submersible (?) in front.

2009-07-15T08:28:39Z

Sean Leather
The same building from a different angle showing some kind of submersible (?) in front.

A family of ducks enjoying the swampland in front of the Mechanical building.

2009-07-15T08:35:35Z

Sean Leather
A family of ducks enjoying the swampland in front of the Mechanical building.

A continuation of the previously mentioned swamp-embedded building. It has its share of muses (or caryatids) on the roof.

2009-08-06T13:33:16Z

Sean Leather
A continuation of the previously mentioned swamp-embedded building. It has its share of muses (or caryatids) on the roof.

Some TU Delft buildings are very tall. This is the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science (EEMCS).

2009-08-06T13:12:18Z

Sean Leather
Some TU Delft buildings are very tall. This is the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science (EEMCS).

Of course, what else would you expect to find at the base of the tower but a gas station.

2009-08-06T13:29:19Z

Sean Leather
Of course, what else would you expect to find at the base of the tower but a gas station.

Some buildings I found were very long, such as this one at the base of the EEMCS tower.

2009-07-15T08:44:03Z

Sean Leather
Some buildings I found were very long, such as this one at the base of the EEMCS tower.

Some buildings have funky corrugated roofs. The Aula Congress Center is one of those.

2009-08-06T13:06:38Z

Sean Leather
Some buildings have funky corrugated roofs. The Aula Congress Center is one of those.

And finally, other buildings at TU Delft are built into hillsides. The library here is a perfect example.

2009-07-15T08:16:10Z

Sean Leather
And finally, other buildings at TU Delft are built into hillsides. The library here is a perfect example.

These steps mark the entrance to the library.

2009-07-15T08:21:44Z

Sean Leather
These steps mark the entrance to the library.

The inside of the library is very nice and comfortable with wood all around.

2009-08-06T13:18:11Z

Sean Leather
The inside of the library is very nice and comfortable with wood all around.

Looking up the tower from inside the library.

2009-08-06T13:16:57Z

Sean Leather
Looking up the tower from inside the library.

Shelves along the wall of the library.

2009-07-15T08:52:53Z

Sean Leather
Shelves along the wall of the library.

Towers of the church in downtown Delft.

2009-07-15T08:12:05Z

Sean Leather
Towers of the church in downtown Delft.

A picture of me taken by a French couple. I was hoping they would include the church steeples, but I guess my lack of français didn't get that point across.

2009-07-15T08:15:06Z

Sean Leather
A picture of me taken by a French couple. I was hoping they would include the church steeples, but I guess my lack of français didn't get that point across.

A typical Delft canal with shops alongside.

2009-08-06T13:17:11Z

Sean Leather
A typical Delft canal with shops alongside.

A lady feeding ducks by the canal.

2009-07-15T08:17:23Z

Sean Leather
A lady feeding ducks by the canal.

One of the hungry ducks in action.

2009-08-06T13:41:24Z

Sean Leather
One of the hungry ducks in action.

An interesting statue in a Delft square.

2009-07-15T08:12:49Z

Sean Leather
An interesting statue in a Delft square.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in downtown. This is approaching it from behind. Ahead, on the other side, is the Delft Markt, a square surrounded by shops and restaurants.

2009-08-06T12:46:12Z

Sean Leather
Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in downtown. This is approaching it from behind. Ahead, on the other side, is the Delft Markt, a square surrounded by shops and restaurants.

Close-up of the clock on the Nieuwe Kerk steeple.

2009-07-15T08:11:12Z

Sean Leather
Close-up of the clock on the Nieuwe Kerk steeple.

Here is the Markt. We're facing away from the Nieuwe Kerk towards the Delft Town Hall.

2009-08-06T13:12:07Z

Sean Leather
Here is the Markt. We're facing away from the Nieuwe Kerk towards the Delft Town Hall.

One of the several horse and buggy setups for ripping off tourists. ;)

2009-08-06T13:25:17Z

Sean Leather
One of the several horse and buggy setups for ripping off tourists. ;)

A better picture of the Delft Town Hall.

2009-08-06T14:03:58Z

Sean Leather
A better picture of the Delft Town Hall.

A close-up of the top of the Delft Town Hall facade.

2009-08-06T13:02:15Z

Sean Leather
A close-up of the top of the Delft Town Hall facade.

Part of the Delft Town Hall. The crest is in the middle.

2009-07-15T08:36:26Z

Sean Leather
Part of the Delft Town Hall. The crest is in the middle.

I took the train to The Hague and rented a bicycle at the train station. As I biked across the city, I came upon this quirky piece of art. It's a cow upside-down in a tree.

2009-08-06T13:45:31Z

Sean Leather
I took the train to The Hague and rented a bicycle at the train station. As I biked across the city, I came upon this quirky piece of art. It's a cow upside-down in a tree.

My first stop in The Hague was Escher in het Paleis, the M. C. Escher museum. This is above the entrance.

2009-07-15T08:35:24Z

Sean Leather
My first stop in The Hague was Escher in het Paleis, the M. C. Escher museum. This is above the entrance.

I took quite a few photos of M. C. Escher's art in the museum. Hopefully, I can list them accurately based on information available at the official M. C. Escher website. This is "Tower of Ba ...

2009-08-06T16:04:06Z

Sean Leather
I took quite a few photos of M. C. Escher's art in the museum. Hopefully, I can list them accurately based on information available at the official M. C. Escher website. This is "Tower of Ba ...

M. C. Escher. "Eight Heads" (1922, woodcut, printed once from the whole block and eight times from different parts)

2009-02-10T12:44:11Z

Sean Leather
M. C. Escher. "Eight Heads" (1922, woodcut, printed once from the whole block and eight times from different parts)

Unknown. Here are some actual woodcuts use by Escher in developing this piece.

2009-08-09T02:56:40Z

Sean Leather
Unknown. Here are some actual woodcuts use by Escher in developing this piece.

Self-portrait (1922, woodcut)

2009-07-15T08:57:26Z

Sean Leather
Self-portrait (1922, woodcut)

Unknown. I couldn't find it. Leave a comment if you do, and I'll update this caption.

2009-08-06T13:45:54Z

Sean Leather
Unknown. I couldn't find it. Leave a comment if you do, and I'll update this caption.

A chandelier by somebody whose art was also on display at the M. C. Escher museum.

2009-08-06T13:02:49Z

Sean Leather
A chandelier by somebody whose art was also on display at the M. C. Escher museum.