Trip report- Den Haag, Amsterdam, Delft, eastern Holland

I used to live in Twente too and Tante Sien is an institute in Vasse, how cool that you went there. Twente is lovely for bike and hike trips, though Leiden (where I live now) is def worth a daytrip too should you ever come back. I'm glad you enjoyed the NL and thanks for the trip report!

Too bad you didn't enjoy Amsterdam, it sounds like you got stuck in the touristy part (which indeed is not 'Amsterdam', I hate that part myself... Damrak, Red Light District, Dam square, Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein... yuck).... Too bad you did not find my tips in the Europe FAQ thread before you went, and in many posts I answered in the past.
Might be helpful for a next time, or other travellers reading this:
my personal recommendations for things to see and do in my home town Amsterdam:
go to my website > Travel > Amsterdam Tips.

As for cycling: like another posted pointed out, cyclists do not have the universal right of way, although many cyclists in Amsterdam act like they do. It's just that coming from the right on an equal crossing you have right of way, whether you're in a car or on a scooter or a bike (not walking). And if you go straight and a car coming from behind you turns right, the car has to let you go first because you're going straight.

There have been many useful posts about cycling in the Netherlands (and Belgium) in the Thorn Tree, I will try to look some of them up for you... there are many useful tips in them about signposted scenic bike routes, cheap B&B accommodation especially for cyclists (you need to become a member), taking your bike on a train, etc.

Threads with lots of tips about cycling in the Netherlands :
this thread
another one
and this one too
and another one

Veel plezier!
Cécile
Amsterdam

P.S. Officially 'Holland' is only a small part of the Netherlands, namely the provinces of Zuid-Holland and Noord-Holland.
A bit like England is not the same as the UK, but lots of people still say England.

Nautiker, actually I chose my handle because it's a playful variation on my name, invented by one of my former colleagues, and I didn't notice the connection with the candy brand until I saw one of those (terribly annoying, but that's another matter) Haribo commercials on tv some time later.
After drinking a bit too much I did consider for a split second to make "Aribo macht Kinder froh und Erwachsenen ebenso" my sig line, then realized that that would probably raise a few eyebrows here (or at least sound pretty daft) and gave up on the idea.
Funny that you mention it though, I have had the same experience of associating names and words in real life with TT posters a couple of times.

Oh, and to OP: #12 is right, even though Dutch people refer to their country as Holland as well from time to time (especially when referring to typical Dutch characteristics, when cheering for sports teams and when speaking English), they will never refer to e.g. Twente as being in East-Holland. Most people don't seem to care, but some people from other areas than Noord/Zuid-Holland really don't like being called a Hollander.

aribo, at least you don't have these Thomas Gottschalk-ads - or do you? it's still a mystery to me why they have to spoil good sweets with bad spots... a wonder they're selling anything at all, good for them that everybody is still addicted from childhood days! you knew 'Haribo' is an acronym, too?

good idea not to use their slogan in your sig line. nowadays, I wouldn't claim to make kids happy unless I'm either a clown or a candymaker, just too much room for misunderstanding ;-)

OP, sorry for hijacking your thread ;-)

You've been to tante Sien, you must've heard this one:

A tough farmer's wife - that was my auntie Sien
During her life there is not a lot she's seen

Born in Vasse - always lived in this place
In no other village has she ever shown her face

Only Vasse did she go, she was always there
Vasse is in the Netherlands, a fact of which you may be aware

During the war it was in the German land
And after the war back in Dutch hand

So thanks to the war: for my antie Sien,
There is at least something of the world she has seen!

(loosely translated from Herman Finkers)

The Dutch Tourist Board is preparing new folders and I'm sure Vasse is gonna be one of the landmarks/highlights/must-sees.
And why not?
Funny and accurate translation of Finkers' song/poem, Dr. Who.
So in 2015: Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Tante Sien en .... Cruyff dan maar.
It's time for a change!

Hi there,

As a native Dutch I really enjoyed your post and your view on Holland. The fines for travelling without a ticket in the train are quite steep, makes me feel so bad when I forget to purchase a ticket.
Don't bother about referring to the forum as Americans, I see where you are getting at and it is true trying to master the basics of a language gives you a lot of respect. Most foreigners (German, French, English-Spoken) keep adressing us in their own language, and since most of us speak it it is ok. But when we get to their country (Germany or French) not even English is sufficient. That's the trouble with a small country hehe.
Bye now Daniel

I wouldn't claim to make kids happy unless I'm either a clown or a candymaker, just too much room for misunderstanding ;-)

... and clowns are scary creatures too!

Very good translation indeed dr_who. Finkers rules, he's the funniest guy in the western hemisphere, pity that only some 20 million people can understand what he says.