JessToddles… over to Volendam

October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 / jesstoddles / 1 Comment

One of the great things that comes with being an exchange student at Erasmus University is the ESN society!! Not only do they organise great socials but the also host organised city trips around the Netherlands, allowing us to get to know the country in a few and social way. Rotterdam crumbled to ashes in WW2 and was completely rebuilt, ultimately losing its quintessential Dutch character, so exploring different cities shows you the variety the Netherlands has to offer!

ESN’s first city outing was to Volendam, on the way we stopped at
Zaanse Schans. This is exactly what you imagine the Netherlands to be!!
A cluster of Windmills situated in the middle of open farmland and little shops that sell waffles and trinkets like bike bells (I told you it was Dutch!) … and of course there had to be a cheese factory!! Where you could sample any flavour of cheese that you could possibly imagine! So after eating copious mounts of cheese and stroopwafels we made our way over to Volendam.

Volendam is a tourist destination set to throw you back in time! With an array of old fishing boats lining the coastal town it is
a known destination for artists! It is also a location known for traditional Dutch dress, and there are countless stores along the water where you can try on the high pointed bonnets and wooden clogs. They even take a cheeky picture while you are holding typical Dutch household items or a wheel of cheese – did i mention the dutch love cheese?

10626762_10152784220639052_2855134185430082225_n We also visited Paviljoen Smit Bokkum which is ranked Volendam’s number 1 restaurant! Its specialty being smoked eel, now I’m not a fan of fish but this actually was quite nice and the fact that it was all naturally
sourced is a massive bonus! The owner showed us the smoke house and took you through the history of his family business and the smoking process, he was a bit of a joker, so really got the group laughing!! Even if you don’t like smoked fish, this waterside restaurant is definitely worth a visit just for the view!! So our whistle stop tour of Volendam really was a mixture of old and new!

From the traditional Dutch dress to the waffle vans lining the street! Among the hustle and bustle of this tourist town there are little pockets where you can imagine what Dutch life was like in the 1800’s!! A perfect destination for a day trip!

JessToddles x

JessToddles… to find the tourist treasures of Rotterdam

October 15, 2014October 15, 2014 / jesstoddles / Leave a comment

Life in Rotterdam and the Netherlands is so different but so much fun. Part of the enjoyment is discovering a city that I had not even visited before moving here. The city itself is so vibrant, full of incredible modern and quirky architecture. It was completely rebuilt from the ashes of WW2 and each time you venture into the city centre, there is another building that just seems to pop up in front of you. So I thought I would share with you my Top 5 places I have been to in Rotterdam so far…here we go!

Number 5: Rotterdam Centraal.
1937892_10153353883238782_677114392_n
Modern architecture at its finest! The sleek station was only opened in March 2014 and is certainly an eye-catching statement. The space surrounding it creates a calmness to what would normally be a chaotic area of the city! With the tram station right outside, all the public transport is right at your fingertips. Plus, with all of the bike parking underground there is a sense of order and cleanliness to this modern station. It is a fabulous way to be welcomed into the city!

Number 4: Witte de Withstraat.

A bustling street of bars and restaurants! I stumbled accidentally across this street on my first night in Rotterdam, and what a welcome it was! With the string of illuminated signs guiding you along the street, you cannot help but go and soak up the atmosphere! With quirky witticisms (pun intended) along the walls such as; “in the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”, it feels like a place where everyone is going to have a good time.

Number 3: The Cube House

Located in a historic part of the city, the Cube Houses are the definition of innovative architecture. Built in 1984 by Piet Blom, they demonstrate and reflect the quirky and fun nature of the city. Situated just above Blaak tram station they are at the centre of some great bars and restaurants in Rotterdam, including the student favourite V.I.P (Very Italian Pizza). Hostel Rotterdam also occupies some of the Cube Houses, so is a great place to stay if you are wanting to get the full Rotterdam experience!

Number 2: Erasmusburg

One of the most stunning bridges you will come across! It is hard to believe that it was only completed in 1996, but this piece of construction just screams elegance and something you really cannot take your eyes off. Designed to connect the north and south regions of Rotterdam it not only hosts cars and bicycles but also a tram track. The bridge also hosted an incredible firework display at Rotterdam’s famous Harbour Festival! It is definitely one that will make you take out your camera and snap happy.

Number 1: Kralingse Plas

This is my favourite hidden treasure of Rotterdam! The park that surrounds the lake just epitomises natural beauty! It is a perfect place to have a picnic and just watch the world go by. In the distance you can see the skyline of the city, and yet it feels like you are wrapped in a bubble of peacefulness and nature! Even on the sunniest of days -which are rare in Rotterdam, trust me- there is always an area that you can go and retreat to! But if you are one of the more active members of society, it is the perfect place to go for a mid-afternoon cycle or rollerblade -it even has an ariel assaults course! Without a shadow of a doubt this is a must see area of Rotterdam!

So that’s it! My favourite places to visit in Rotterdam so far. Hopefully as the year goes on I will discover more hidden gems but for now this is a pretty good place to start!

JessToddles xx

JessToddles … off to Rotterdam

October 15, 2014October 15, 2014 / jesstoddles / Leave a comment

People always say that being on exchange is one of the best experiences you can encounter, and in the six weeks I have been here I can see why. It is incredible how quickly a place can become home. Obviously it’s not always fun and games, but so far the journey has been amazing!

Travelling to Rotterdam was definitely an experience in itself; trying to hurl two suitcases across Schiphol airport, then down escalators and onto trains was very interesting -by interesting I mean terrible but you know, always look on the bright side- but I arrived which is the main thing. Luckily for me I already sorted my accommodation before I arrived, at The Student Hotel. It has such a great University feel to it and most of the people I have met all study at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, which is less that a ten minute cycle down the road, so the location is great!

My bank card took a battering in my first few days in Rotterdam. Buying all your kitchen things and everything else you hadn’t managed to cram into your 40 kilos of suitcase space, which trust me isn’t a lot, is tough! Then the tricky task of cycling it all home without breaking the glasses you had just purchased! But you know everything is an experience and a story to tell!

One of the best parts of living in a place that you have never even visited before is that everything is new. Therefore everything is an adventure and you are constantly saying ‘I wonder what is down there’ or ‘I haven’t visited that place before’, and unlike being at home you actually go and explore it.

My journey as an exchange student has only just begun but I have met so many incredible people and already experienced so much! I hope you enjoy reading my experiences!

Jess Toddles x