Tuesday, December 4, 2012

2nd day in Netherlands - Delft & back to København

was busy studying for my Danish Language Module 1 test that took place today. Finally all the 'hard' work paid off! I passed! So i can register to take module 2. Yeah because I was studying for the test, i did not write the 2nd day's happenings in Netherlands.

Anyway, here it is......

I was not able to sleep well in Gerri's place. maybe because my air mattress was next to the entrance. And it was really cold that night even though the temperature in Gerri's room was about 21 degrees. Its just that the cold from the floor seep into the mattress, and in the middle of the night, it felt as if i was sleeping on a block of ice! yeah it was that bad. So i put on my thick jacket, put the blanket beneath me and over me and went back to sleep.

We woke up in the morning and the winds were howling madly outside. hmmm... today is a super super windy day. Anyway Gerri cooked Dutch pancakes (we felt that they were crepe rather than pancakes) for breakfast. After eating and doing our morning prayers, we were ready to explore the old town of Delft. As I mentioned earlier, today is a super windy day. And really it was windy. the winds were so strong that they can blow u away. I mean I've read such phrases in children's books in the past and never gave it much thought. But seriously this is true here in Delft! The winds are not chillingly cold like in Copenhagen but they are extremely strong!
Taken outside Gerri's apartment. The building in the far back is the Delft University building
Bike parking area in Delft train station
Parked bikes

The town center of Delft is rather nice. ermmm... but it look pretty similar to the streets in Amsterdam. even the town square looks a little similar to the Dam square in Amsterdam... only thing is the buildings' names are different, but architectual is the same.
one of the many canals in Delft
Quiet streets in Delft.... coz its Sunday. Apparently Netherlands is similar to Denmark. Shops are not opened on Sundays in towns.

And Delft is interesting, I mean there were 2 churches. 1 is called the new church and the other the old church! hahaha.... the new church's name is 'Nieuwe Kerk' and the old church's name is 'Oude Kerk'. According to Gerri, the New Church was built because the people noticed the tower of the Old church slanting. And the people of Delft were worried, So they built a new one. But in this day, the old church is still standing, with the tower tilted. And both churches looked old to me.... can't really tell which is new or old.
Town square of Delft
Stadhuis (city hall building) by the way, this building is still being used by the people as office. ermm... sort of like the town office. 
'Nieuwe Kerk'
Dutch achitectual
'Oude Kerk'
coats of insignia on an old building
Delft is more well known for the university. Not sure if you know, but Delft University is the top university in Netherlands. So basically lots of students studying in Delft University staying in this town. And there is a special item that is sold in shops, is an invention of Delft Univeristy! ermmm... its an umbrella! hahaha.... not something majestic. Apparently, this umbrella is an aerodynamic umbrella! So what so special about this umbrella? its longer in the front. This is to shield the user from the strong winds. Coz its often 1 meet strong winds in Delft. And the umbrella is not cheap.... really expensive. 1 brolly cost 49€. shocking!
The famous and expensive aerodynamic umbrella
We also walked a little further.... coz Gerri wanted to show us the one and only windmill in Delft. But this windmill is 'botak'! hahaha.... as in the windmill did not have any sails. Most probably the sail had been destroyed... could be due to the super strong winds there. 
The windmill with no wind sills
After walking around the town, we headed back to Gerri's place for Keito to get her luggage. Then we took the train to the airport. At Leiden, we bade farewell to Gerri. I told her that most probably i'll see her in s'pore next christmas when i go back for a short visit and to extend my passport. 
Leaving Delft
In the train heading to Schipol airport
Bading farewell to Gerri at Leiden station
Farewell Netherlands! Till we meet again! =D
The time passed so quickly.... and soon at Kaastrup (København airport) i had to bade farewell to Keito. Coz Keito will be taking the Regional Train to Sweden, whilst i took the metro to Nørreport and from there take the bus to my place. Yeah my eventful weekend just passed by like this... and tomorrow is back to work & danish lessons! 

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