Tulips

Would never have discovered this jewel had I not taken a silly little “Highlands & Islands” tour. Fell in love with Lewis and Harris (the latter, as in Harris tweed). Beautiful scenery, warm people; not hard to feel like you’ve “gotten away from it all”, there. Has been my dream to return for an extended stay.

My sister-in-law lived in Krimpen and I found it a cozy little town with a strongly conservative bent in a very liberal country. There’s not much to do here if you crave excitement, still it’s a lovely little place!

De Schone Lei is one of my two favorite restaurants in all of Rotterdam. Excellent food, good service, and a gorgeous view of the lake at Kralingse Bos and the Rotterdam skyline as a backdrop. After a meal here, my family works it off with a stroll along the lake and into the woods. In warmer weather, we enjoy grabbing a bite on the lakefront patio or just stopping by for refreshments after a long trek through the woods. It’s only barely wheelchair-accessible inside (no w/c access restrooms, sadly) and they place a rather steep, short ramp at the entrance, which is difficult if not impossible to get up alone if you’re a moderately active w/c user. But it’s well worth the effort to bring a friend to help you get inside (or just hang out on the patio…why lose the fresh air if the weather’s nice!) I highly recommend the eendborst—duck breast in a mild honey ginger sauce. And their lunchtime sandwiches are a real treat!

I had to move here when I married a Rotterdamer and was not looking forward to living in the largest port in Europe (or is it the world?) But I LOVE LOVE LOVE this city!!! Last night, for example, my family had a nice dinner in a cozy restaurant at the Kralingsebos, looking at the lake and the city skyline on the far side, ducks, swans, meerkoets (sp) playing in the lake. You just can’t get that in L.A., where I was born. The architecture can be a bit too modern (see Cube Houses…and almost all newer multi-family buildings are just rectangles stacked on top of each other—blech!) but you never feel you’re in as large a city as you are. As I look out my front window, there are 4 swans (mama, papa, 2 teens) just hanging out along the canal across the street. Just mesmerizing to an American city-girl. And everyone I’ve met speaks English, if pressed (and often, if they even guess you have an American/English accent). Easy living here.