Abandoned but not forgotten
Located in North Brabant, Asten, Asten Castle has stood against time for over 600 years. It’s been decades since the Asten Castle had occupants. Many of the efforts to restore it have fallen through. We had a wonderful tour guide to explained to us the origins and history.

The most recent disaster to hit was World War II, which sealed the deal on the Castle being a ruin. It may have been erected as far back as the Middle Ages and was used as a fortified house. During the Dutch Renaissance it was converted into a castle by Bernard van Merode. There are double moats around the castle and a 2 bridge system as well. There is even a basement where food was stored during the summer. It’s cooler underground so the natural lower temperature helped to prevent food spoilage.

Outside sits a small wall, a memory of the past. It had been a dungeon where witches and even a werewolf had been held for trail. I wish our tour guide had more information!

Peaceful Grounds
The area around the Castle was lush forest and not 1but 2 moats! There were a lot of activities both for adults and kids. And the ruins itself was amazing to explore. The architecture was beautiful, even if most of it was far past the glory days. What was interesting to see, was what was missing. Locals had dismantled a few rooms for the bricks and the stone so areas, like the main seating hall, were missing. Instead the curator had displays to show where people might have spent their evenings.

More than Historical
These days Asten Castle is a national monument. There have been some talks about bringing it into the modern age but nothing set in stone. It’s currently a private piece of land but tours are available. The wonderful think about Asten Castle, is that it’s more than a piece of history, it’s a piece of heritage. As with many European countries, that heritage isn’t always the most wholesome. But the Dutch are doing their part in educating the next generation of Dutch citizens.

Castle Day
We happened to be in the area in time for Castle Day. That meant that the courtyard was alive with activity. There were food vendors, live music, and craft beer for sale. While we didn’t stay for any of the food, we had a wonderful time. There were demonstrations on many interesting topics, including Dutch bee keeping! For the children, there was a ton of stuff to do. Plenty of games, activities and even a story telling event in the forest. To get to the story teller, kids had to travel the path and answer questions about the nature around them.

Final Thoughts
I’m thankful we were able to experience Asten Castle. It’s not open everyday to the public and we came at the right time. I love visiting historical landmarks and ruins. They tell a story from the past and that’s exactly what Asten Castle is. It’s fascinating to see how old buildings were constructed, and how they stand up to the test of time. It’s disappointing that much of the castle was destroyed. But there are still memories to experience at the location. Asten Castle is a delicious slice of Dutch history that I, as an immigrant, love eating up.

Much of the information here is from the Dutch Wikipedia page and from our tour guide, but you can also find good details on Castles.nl.

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Book in advance
You can bet your bottom dollar that the Keukenhof will be busy. Like super busy. In 2019, the park had to close ticket booths early almost everyday because the park had reached its attendance limit. Can you imagine!? A garden with too many people! I’m not kidding when I heard stories about people turned away. So many tourists from far away countries who came only to see the flowers… And couldn’t see them! Do yourself a favor. Book in advance so you save yourself from the headache of standing in line, and some drama if you’re unable to get in. You can find all this information and more on the Keukenhof’s website. This also includes information on travel to and from the park so you don’t get lost.

Come prepared
Like every tourist trap in every country… The prices to eat and drink inside the Keukenhof will be sky high and lacking in quality. The lines will be long and there will be tons of people in attendance. It might be hard to get the perfect shot. The weather is warming up too so bring plenty of sunblock, sun protection and even some snacks. And if you have children bring something for them to play with! While the Keukenhof is a garden, it’s hardly a place for kids to run around and play. There are plenty of open grass fields but they can’t run through the flowers! Which leads me to my next tip.

Be patient
A trip to the Keukenhof can be a wonderful once in a lifetime experience. The endless rows of flowers, the rich Dutch history, the clean air and freshly cut grass… But you’re going to be there with a thousand other people who may or may not be as mindful as you. It’s going to be loud and a bit chaotic. Remember to be patient with others and wait your turn. I’m serious when I say that some exhibits have lines for them. It’s been a few years since I last went to the Keukenhof, but I have a few posts if you’re curious about what past exhibits were.

Mind your neighbors (and the flowers!)
The largest rows of tulips are both inside and outside of the Keukenhof. Do remember that everything outside of the garden is private property. People live and own those fields! I’ve always seen photos of tourists stopping their rentable cars on the side of the road to take photos. This can pose a huge problem if those are 1 way streets. Don’t cause a lot of traffic by forgetting to be respectful.

Don’t forget to have fun
Something that people often forget, is to have fun. Sure you’re here to see the blooms and snap those pictures for your social media feed… But take time to breathe. Don’t forget you’re here to enjoy nature. If you don’t want to brave the crowds, there’s always the Keukenhof Castle. A hidden gem of Lisse, this beautiful wandelen park is the perfect place to be if you want a quiet time and a slice of Dutch nature. There are plenty of flowers, an extensive path to walk, an animal petting zoo, and even an historical castle from the Dutch Golden Age.

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And I know that I do actually have friends and family that I haven’t seen for 5 years because I’ve moved away… But Amsterdam sort of feels like an old friend. A friend that says very little, but you always remember what they say. Amsterdam was not the first European city that I’ve seen in my life, but it’s one of the most influential. I have so many important memories and I’m glad we finally went back, felt safe going back.

The anxiety of living in a foreign country
I can’t say that I still feel anxious about living in The Netherlands but the main reason we went to Amsterdam was to complete my reapplication to live here. I needed to update my photo and signature. But all those “what if” situations kept popping up in my head. What if they found something wrong with my papers? They did actually, it was pretty funny. But it was no huge issue! Someone wrote down the wrong date for my passport and the guy who helped me fixed it. He was an amazing dude too! We laughed the entire time.

I’m a nervous person by nature but even after 5 years I’m still learning to feel comfortable. I should be more confident in myself, I’ve accomplished a lot! But I couldn’t have done it if I had stayed in my home town in America. I’m always reminded of those first few weeks when we visit Amsterdam. How I never thought I could find the courage to leave. It’s all in the past now but I look back and smile.

Precious time with Sander
Sander and I have a small flat and that means we’re always in earshot of each other. But that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve a break once in a while. And by break I mean a date! Now listen here. During quarantine, the dogs have developed a lot of anxiety and they can’t remain alone.. Which of course can be a pain in the ass. But, we’ve thankful that Sander’s parents love our dogs. So they get to baby sit and Sander and I can have a few hours to ourselves.

It’s also a great way for us to actually spend time together. Otherwise we’re on our phones, watching tv, or something something else. We can’t give each other 100% of our attention. Dates are few and far between now but that’s the way things are for now. Amsterdam has always been the place we enjoy ourselves the most and I’m so glad we don’t live to far from it.

A true test of knowledge
So when we go to Amsterdam, I’m adamant about only using Dutch. We hardly speak Dutch at home so I’m always rusty… And Amsterdam is the best place to “be Dutch”. And let me tell you I will always adore that feeling… When people believe that you’re Dutch and that you belong. I love entering a store and having only Dutch spoken to me. It’s like I do belong, that this is my true home. It’s never been easy for me to feel at home or comfortable where I live.

And I know I said above that I need to be more confident… But this is a different form of confidence. The knowledge that I speak the language, that I’m at home with these people. It’s the best feeling in the world. I know I have my Dutch tutor to thank for that… And I know she reads these posts, so hello Wess!

Cultures from all over
There are times when I feel too Dutch though. The same meals, scents, flavors, sights and sounds… Most of that stuff is strictly Dutch, especially since I come from such a small commuter town. But in Amsterdam, you’ve got everything to smack you in the face. As the capital city of The Netherlands, Amsterdam is home to thousands of different cultures under once roof. I can tell you Sander and I spend a lot of time in the Asian streets.

I’ve found dozens of flavors from my mom’s home cooking on the shelves in such grocery stores. So I’m also thankful that Amsterdam can let me bring a small piece of home. If you ever get the chance to eat fresh burfi, please do! It’s one of my favorite Indian desserts!

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The Dutch are most known for their tulips so there’s no surprise there. The flower was popular in the mid-seventeenth century and even created “Tulip Mania.”

From there it seems the crazy never left The Netherlands. All this history and more can be found inside the park’s various buildings. What’s wonderful about the Keukenhof is that it’s as much as a historical landmark and slice of history as it is an open air museum.

This “Tulip Mania” is what helped the Dutch Golden Age bloom, so to speak. And even though the Dutch did well before the rise of the tulip… Well let’s try and picture a beautiful Dutch landscape without those millions of rows we always see on the internet.

People who have never been to The Netherlands can speak about those colorful blooms because of photos they’ve seen. The Netherlands has made it to bucket lists time after time because people want to see those flowers for themselves. The raw and natural beauty can only be enjoyed when seen in person.

People can also relate those fields of tulips to what it is to be Dutch. And while it’s only a small part of the Dutch lifestyle, it’s possible that it’s the only part outsiders will ever see. And for some that’s good enough. But for others, for thousands of tourists, it’s not enough to see a photo. They want to witness those rolling fields for themselves.

It’s the desire to learn about different cultures that drives humans to grow and thrive. It’s a shame we only get to see these blooms once a year. The Keukenhof not the entire Dutch experience but it’s an exquisite slice.

I understand that the Keukenhof isn’t the best place to see the tulips but it’s the easiest to access. The sprawling 79 acres gives tourists more than enough space to wander and to view the local pride. By local, I mean from all over The Netherlands.

This year is the first time I’ve heard of the park closing it’s doors early. The weather was so wonderful the weekend Easter weekend that too many people came to see visit. The visitor capacity limit reached it’s limit.

I’m thankful that we got to see it again this year. I do encourage online pre-sale tickets if you want to go. This year is almost at a close though so be sure to check the opening dates. The weather has been warm with clear blue skies so now is the best time to get in and see the flowers before their season is over.

I’m not sure if we will attend next year though. With rising visitor numbers it may be better to allow tourists to view the gardens. I love roaming among the flowers but I’m hardly a tourist anymore!

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The Flower Power Movement again embraced with beautiful and extravagant orchid displays. See the thing about the Beatrix Pavilion is it always features orchids. I know the Dutch are well known for their tulips but for some reason, orchids are also very popular. So again we pushed past the Instagrammers and casual strollers for a peak at this year’s wonderful display.

What I love seeing are the unique displays of flower arrangements. I’ve always admired flower arrangers and their work but I never made the time to take a class in America. There are tons of classes here, well because this is The Netherlands. But my Dutch speaking level isn’t high enough for me to attend one. In a few years when I have a better grasp of the language. I mean there are many times when I understand conversations. But my vocabulary is pretty basic.

Either way I love the smell of spring and the fresh flowers. Everywhere we wandered we found lush scents. It was so magical. At times it didn’t even bother me when it was so busy. These people were here to appreciate the flowers like we were. So it’s fine to share my personal space for a little while.

The Keukenhof is only open a few months of the year so it’s important to get in while it’s open! For some visitors this might be the only chance to see the endless fields. Even I, someone who isn’t too pleased with crowded spaces, and respect that.

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Of course now there’s a lot to be frowned on but let’s be real here… When has there ever been a perfect decade? What’s beautiful about the humans experience is that nothing is perfect. And this year’s Flower show embodies that in a colorful way.

The Oranje Nassau Pavilion interpretation is only skin deep but it displays the beautiful innocence that was treasured at the time. The flower displays are tall, vibrant and full of rich color. Displays were outrageous, fashion-wise, and the scent of flower blossoms was light and delicate. It was so fun to see how the Dutch view this influential movement that is, even today, still a huge part of western history.

What I have here is just a simple taste of what there is to be experienced at the Now The Oranje Nassau Pavilion. It’s always going to be crowded and I didn’t want to push people out of the way for the perfect shot. To get the real deal, you’ll just have to visit! Each week a new flower is showcased in the hall! We went during the last week of March so we go to see the beautiful Freesia and Hyacinth show. If there’s a particular flower you’d like to see then you can find out more on The Keukenhof Flower Shows.

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I love the history behind the space as well. The Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. It’s close to where we live, in the middle of the city Lisse. Around 7 million flowers are planted each year! I can’t even picture the man power behind that!

This year the warmer weather has arrived a bit early but we didn’t miss too much. It was good to see many flowers had bloomed but other plots had yet to flower. The blubs are planted in such a way that new blooms open each week. It’s a good way to keep visitors coming in and a good way to keep the park open longer. Once the last bloom dies then the Keukenhof is closed until the next spring.

The real reason for the Keukenhof’s creation is to showcase flowers from growers that hail from not only The Netherlands but all of Europe. The Netherlands is well known for being a huge exporter of flowers. At the Keukenhof, growers can show off their hybrids and special blooms. It’s wild to see so may variations of just one type of flower!

Although I will admit this year was a bit different. I felt tired after only an hour in the sun. Maybe all my indoor time is catching up with me. It could have also been the cold that I had brewing inside. Who knows. But enough talk, have some beautiful flowers.

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Our go to place is on the outskirts of the Red Light district, at underground level, but don’t let that fool you. Ramen-ya is home to some of the most delicious hakata ramen we’ve ever had. Hataka refers to the type of noodles handmade in the restaurant. They’re straight, firm, and thin and please our deepest cravings.

The interior is beautiful and simple with earthy woods and black accents to call you in. The place is busy at all hours of the day but the service is quick every visit.

But wait.

What is ramen exactly? If you look past the cheap grocery store noodles, ramen has a deep and beautiful history. Originally from China, the Japanese adopted wheat noodles and broth soup into their own culture. Ramen takes hours from start to finish but what we order here is a masterpiece.

Ramen-ya features two types of broth base, soy or salt. The most common meat included is pork but we order the chicken in the soy based broth. Our go to meal is the Sesame Chicken with a side order of Karaage.

Karaage is a double deep fried (extra crispy exterior) chicken made with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. I’ve made it at home before and it’s super easy to throw together. What makes Ramen-ya’s Karaage special is the dipping sauce they provide. The chicken is out of this world alone but add the sauce in and you might die. It’s a gentle garlic and mayo combo with a hint of something I just can’t place…

And onto the main order, the ramen. The bowls are gigantic. We’ve yet to finish one. If the noodles, boiled egg (marinated in soy sauce) mushrooms and hearty helping of meat don’t fill you up then the soup will. I like mine a bit spicy so I always add in some chili. The broth is creamy and delicate. It’s a little salty for me but I never add salt to our home meals. The pieces of chicken are soft breast pieces have a slender cut to allow the broth to penetrate the meat. The mushrooms are well cooked and not rubbery. The egg is soft boiled to perfection and still holds onto that salty soy flavor. The entire meal is something that is a must try for anyone who loves Japanese food.

It will not disappoint! One of these days we’ll get the courage to try it but for now we’re content with that savory chicken flavor we’ve grown to love.

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The Dutch and the Germans are very passionate about their Christmas markets. While Sander’s sisters off in Germany , we are touring the markets here in The Netherlands. Every large city has them and many host unique vendors. It’s worth going to see many of them because the experience is never the same. So what exactly happened at this Christmas market at the Assumburg Castle?

Long rows of white tents line the garden and the front of Assumburg Castle. Much of what was sold were trinkets, clothing, and uncommon goods. We saw everything ranging from sweets and holiday treats, to warm winter clothing and eclectic finds. We ended up buying coasters with Shiba Inu photos on them. I also found a small little gems store and ended up buying a piece of raw garnet. I’ve been looking for a gem store seller for a long time. I’d like to have a few more to keep around my space. Looking at crystals helps to ground me in the here and now instead of worrying about the future.

We also got to indulge in some unique food as we watched a choir sing Christmas songs. It was a fun take on what I know to be traditional Christmas choir groups. The outfits were ornamental too and it was a treat to see! I ended up getting a beautiful sausage in the “Cancun Style.” This included mild salsa, tortilla chips and a sweet ketchup. Interesting flavors for a hotdog but it was tasty!

Inside the castle was also many vendors selling their goods. We saw a bit of the castle. Many of the vendors were from small businesses.

There were a few larger brands but those were feminine things (shaving tools and skincare) It was a good day trip for sure. Some advice I have for travelers is to come prepared for the cold! I kept my scarf at home. Boy did I regret that! I feel a cold coming on! I love these Christmas Markets. We usually walk away empty handed but this time we found a few things that resonated with us. I do enjoy buying less. But that doesn’t mean we should never buy anything . If it’s something we love, then why not?

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The exhibit covers a majority of the topmost floor in the Tropenmuseum. It features a ton of historical and interesting facts that cover the most popular chapters of Japanese history. We got to walk through pieces of the past and parts of the present for an overall look at why and how the Japanese became the fascinating culture that it is today.

We got to see some amazing pieces of old Japanese art. Much of it told stories of famous samurai warriors and their impossible feats. Other stories told about the charming lives that royalty lived.

We also got a brief lesson in how folklore lead the way to modern day stories commonly seen in Japanese animation today. It’s fascinating to see how years of storytelling never let up even after all these years. Stories about nobel heroes and warriors willing to die for their leaders are still strong today. Of course this is nothing new but the history behind such heroes tends to be dark and mysterious.

What was cool about this exhibit is that it showcased some scrolls that told a few of these stories. This method of storytelling eventually lead to picture books and the creation of Manga (comic books). What began as a simple way to pass on legends and tales of mighty warriors ultimately became a huge part of Japanese culture. I loved seeing the origins of such stories. There were old books that showcased how animals evolved into troublesome spirits and the main characters of so many fairy tales.

There was also a large reading room to showcase how expansive the Japanese literary scene is. From light novels (short novels) to Manga everything was available to view.

A lot of memorable characters were scattered throughout the exhibit too. It was fun to see how many heroes Sander and I could name. But of course this wasn’t all that was showcased at Cool Japan.

We also got to see the Kawaii side of Japan. It’s the long standing trend of being “cute” and is popular all over the world. There have been documentaries about this particular vein of fashion. While the Kawaii fashion trend covers over 50 different types of styles, the most popular ones were on display here.

Japan is also steeped in folklore. Every old culture has it’s fairytales but there was something about Japanese lore that interests me to no end. I love how every aspect of life should be treasured. I also love that there was a reason for everything. All things have the potential to be a home to a spirit and that idea is just so cool to me. There were also references to demons and ghouls that the Japanese believed plagued them. Like any ancient culture, the Japanese have deep roots in storytelling and fables. We got to see a few recreations of these demons in the Horror Room.

All in all I think the Cool Japan exhibit was a great time. We got to learn a few new things and consider the culture through a new lens. I would highly recommend visiting the exhibit while it’s still around!

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