Van Gogh Museum

The outside view while waiting in line.

Van Gogh's famous works displayed on the outside of the building.

Eating lunch on a park bench after visiting the museum.

Photos aren't allowed inside, so I borrowed a few from the museum website to post here. Most of the well-known paintings I expected to see were at the V.G. museum when I went, minus a couple that were on loan to other museums. Or, like The Starry Night, is actually housed in the Museum of Modern Art in N.Y.

Self-Portrait as an Artist

Sunflowers

Cottages (painted while V.G. lived in the Netherlands- the beginning of his career).

Wheatfields under Thunderclouds

Zaterdag avond

Once a year, there is a weekend called Open Monumentendag (Open Monument Day) in most European countries. This weekend is special for promoting history and local culture by allowing free entrance and tours in museums, houses, churches, industrial buildings, etc. We got to enter buildings that are not usually open to the public.

The insides of a canal house. Not such a narrow staircase, but spirals are still used.

A stove, with the wall covered in iron to retain heat.

An average mantel for a house of the 1600's. Sometimes mantel were decorated with original paintings.

The backyard of a canalhouse.


Rembrandt's grave stone in the Westerkerk church.

Spui church

The Concertgebouw (concert house) in Museumsplein. They have free lunchtime concerts.

Vondelpark

I have visited yet another local park. Vondelpark is in the city center and a very popular hangout in nice weather. It is over 200 acres with paved trails for biking and dirt trails for running/walking. I went on a gorgeous day and people were lounging about, some with very little clothing on. I kept my clothes on.

One of the main entrances.

Creeks

There are four cafes in the park, for a bite to eat or a drink.

Hey, there I am!

Another awesome self-taken portrait.

The island adventure

Over the weekend, we went to KLM equiptment services annual party. It was a nice opportunity to meet some people, and Stevie got to shoot the breeze with some coworkers. The event was held on an island off of the coast of the Netherlands, which is the North Sea. There were sporty things to do like wall climbing, archery and a zipline. We both successfully climbed to the top of the wall.

The little island out there is where we went; it's an old fortress.

Showing his mean face! That's the zipline in the background.

Sunset (not the best picture).

flowers

Flowers of the week: lilies

Bloemenmarkt (Flowermarket)

There's about 15 "floating" stalls along the Singel Canal. They're permanently moored. This is the back side of the stalls.

Dried flowers hang from the entire ceiling of this stall.

Tulips aren't in season, but the bulbs are sold. There are still many other kinds of cut flowers and potted plants for sale. This is an area that's always busy, and a nice place to come see.

Cafe in't Aepjen (Cafe with the Monkey). One of the oldest wooden buildings and the oldest cafe. The walls are very brown and there's some old booze in there!

Touring around the city. Thanks to the photographer: Jimmy D!

Labor Day weekend

A night out to dinner.

Leidseplein at night.

And Sunday brunch the next day. That was our Labor Day weekend!