Hollandia

I just love crests. This one represents the old empire of Holland with the proud lion. Take a look at Signs, Signs. Photo taken in May 2016.

Floral fancy

Another view of the Binnenhof in The Hague. More treasures can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Binnenhof

The beautiful Binnenhof reflected in the shallow waters that surround it. This is the oldest parliament building in the world that is still being used for parliamentary purposes. I would have loved to see inside. More reflections can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Home of the pearl earring

If you love the Girl with a Pearl Earring from Dutch artist Vermeer, then a visit to the Mauritshuis in the Hague is in order. I wish I would have had time to stop in, but I was on a business trip and there was no time for a museum visit. A reason to go back! Photo taken in May 2016.

Big babies

These big baby heads were all over Rotterdam when I was there earlier this year. The sign underneath says 50 Years of de Doelen. De Doelen is a congress hall/concert venue in Rotterdam that is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. The dolls are an art project sponsored by the city to celebrate 75 years of rebirth after the destruction of WWII.

Thank you to biebkribels for the explanation on the baby heads and the sign. Although I like the thought behind this exhibition, the heads are a bit creepy. However, they certainly get your attention! More signs can be found here. Photos taken in May 2016.

Den Haag

One of the many bridges you'll find in the Hague. For more treasures, take a look here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Zany mix

I'm not sure what to make of this mix of characters, but it certainly brightens up this shop's rolling door. More murals can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Breeman

This funny sign is outside the Breeman BMW dealership in Rotterdam. It's certainly memorable! More reflections can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Looking up

Cool lighting in the main train station. Photo taken in May 2016.

Happy Bastille Day to my French readers!

Pop-up piano

I love the idea of music being shared with everyone. More signs can be found at Signs, Signs. Photo taken in May 2016.

Struggle

Being Europe's biggest and most important port, the city of Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed during WWII. Stronger through Struggle is a reminder of the atrocities of the past, but also gives a hopeful look to the future. More treasures can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Fact or opinion?

Pierre Bayle was a French philosopher who spent much of his working life in Rotterdam. He was the father of the modern encyclopedia and proposed the idea that much of what intellectuals at the time considered to be fact, was in fact opinion. For more murals, take a look at Monday Mural. Photo taken in May 2016.

De Trap

Every summer the city of Rotterdam puts a giant staircase, de Trap,  onto the Groot Handelsgebouw near the main train station. People are invited to hike up to the top where you can relax with a drink or a snack.

Or just take a look at the fantastic views over the city. Photo taken in May 2016.

Modern style

I love the variety of architectural styles in Rotterdam. Photo taken in May 2016.

New York

Just in case you forgot where we were! More signs can be found here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Home of HAL

The Hotel New York is actually the former Holland American Line building. This is where the cruise line got its start. There were lots of interesting details throughout the building.

The Holland American Line initials could also be seen quite often. For more treasures, take a look here. Photos taken in May 2016.

Rather small

Breakfast at the Hotel New York is a real treat, especially with the interesting poetry on the walls: The croquettes in this restaurant are on the small side. -- C.B. Vaandragger. For more murals, take a look here. Photo taken in May 2016.

PS: Happy Fourth of July to my American friends!

Treetop paradise

Here's a last look at the cube houses in Rotterdam. From this view, they really do look like trees. For more reflections, take a look here. Photo taken in May 2016.

Top of the tree

Some people say the Cube Houses look like trees. I can kind of see it, especially when you get up to the very top.

It was nice and sunny and the brightly striped ceiling was a funny touch. Photos taken in May 2016.

A look inside

One of the Cube Houses is open to the public for a small entrance fee. This is the living room, complete with the original built-in furniture. I love the windows, but there's not a lot of space for entertaining.

And here's a look at the bedroom. The furniture here is also original. The houses all came with built-in items as it would be difficult to furnish the strangely shaped rooms otherwise. Photos taken in May 2016.