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.

The post Asten Castle in North Brabant appeared first on A Daily Lee.

We’ve been long time fans of Japanese culture and have plans to visit someday. In the spring the Japanese have viewing parties and picnics under the blooming Cherry Blossoms. With the quantreen, the best we could do was take a walk around the park but it was still lovely.

Now I’m not one to usually post a ton of photos but I think I can make an exception this time. I know that these flowers are typically depicted as having a delicate pink hue but all of them were white. The pinkest of trees were the tiny bulbs before they bloomed. Still I wanted to take a ton of photos because it only happens once a year. So please enjoy these photos of our trip to the Cherry Blossoms in the Amsterdamse Bos!

The post Cherry Blossoms in the Amsterdamse Bos appeared first on A Daily Lee.

It’s a small even so there’s not too much to do at Tomofair. There’s the huge gaming hall where people can play Dance Dance Revolution and just chill out. Then there’s the main stage for live performances. The food hall always has delicious things to eat. But Sander and I spend all of our time in the dealer’s hall. There are only a handful of stores we’ve discovered that cater to our interests. Sander and I are avid Anime fans and we enjoy browsing stalls that sell merchandise. Thankfully we have a good idea of what we want to buy. So on top of a few other things we picked up, here’s a look at some of our Tomofair haul.

Tonymoly – I’m Hand Cream in Rose
Oh boy, I’m picky about my hand creams and this one is amazing. The smell of roses is light and not overwhelming. The texture is creamy and it doesn’t leave behind an oily residue. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Tonymoly and this is my first buy. So far so good! I would love to go back and pick up a few others for the next Tomofair haul since they’re super affordable too!

Etude House – Moistfull Collagen Cream
I’ve got a lot of Youtuber’s recommending Etude house but I never saw too much that I wanted from the brand. I’ve been looking for a new facial cream since I’d like to try new things. I found this one on sale and decided to give it a try. It’s got a light fresh smell, similar to clean linen. It goes on smooth and dries to a healthy matte. I like it for now and I’ll see if I feel the same way in a few weeks!

Morinaga Ramune Soda Candy
Oh boy, I don’t drink sodas but Ramune is one I’ll stop for. Since the drinks are expensive here, I don’t mind getting the candy instead. These citrus flavored balls are delicious and pretty close to the real flavor. I picked up one bottle for this Tomofair haul and I hope it lasts until the next convention!

Chocoball candy
This is one of the things that Sander picked up but I love it so much! I’ve given up eating chocolate (it’s been breaking me out) but that doesn’t mean we can’t have it in the house. These adorable little balls are the perfect snack any of the day. They’re crunchy and come in a ton of different flavors too. So far we’ve tried the milk, dark, and strawberry flavors. All of them are amazing.

Re-ment Pokemon Petite Fleur Perfume Bottle with Eevee
Sander and I are huge Eevee fans and I’ve been looking for this little guy for ages! I was so happy to have found him this time around.  Eevee comes in a little plastic bottle surrounded by flowers. It reminds me of the vintage perfume bottles and how classy they used to look. He’s got a place right on my vanity so that I can see him every day.

The post TomoFair Haul appeared first on A Daily Lee.

It’s also the place where Sander’s parents were wed! How wonderful is that? The interior was breathtaking. Sure there were lots of shops that took up most of the floor but the wallpaper was a total mood. Photos were so hard to take and I wish I had gotten a better shot!

Vendors line the paths around the castle and sell their wares to the crowds. Items this year ranged from candles and Christmas decorations to skincare and household goods. I’ll admit I bought much more than I had hoped to. But in my defense, I can’t pass up tea I’ve never heard of! I jump at the chance to try out new and interesting tea flavors.

It’s normal for the Dutch to travel outside of The Netherlands to visit these elebroate markets. The markets in Germany seem to be the most beautiful. Sander’s sister loves to frequent them. Infact, she’s in Dortmund right now! The photos she sent where unbelievable. The Dutch markets are less about fancy decorating and more about selling.

We also ended up buying a Dutch holiday staple, oliebollen. It’s a fried ball of dough and can come with currents inside as well. We decided to get some of each. I’ve believe that oliebollen are a New Year’s tradition. But I always see them come out around Christmas time and at festivals.

There were two main areas to explore, inside the castle and the castle grounds. We were lucky that the weather had improved over the week. There was a lot of rain throughout the week and the sun was a blessing. The idea behind these markets is to enjoy the holiday and buy gifts for the family or friends. Of course you don’t have to do that! I ended up buying a beautiful piece of canvas art because it spoke volumes to me!

It was also perfect weather to enjoy traditional Dutch eats. We saw smoked salmon and bread baked in huge stone ovens. It was a smell I’ll never forget! That’s one thing I love about the Dutch. Their traditional food is still celebrated and served after all this time. All in all this Christmas Market was a wonderful time. I would love to go again! I’m not if we have more markets planed for this year but there’s always something new and riveting to see!

The post Christmas Market in Beeckestijn appeared first on A Daily Lee.

The Japanese Market does more than bring attention to Japanese culture. It raises awareness for the SeiboldHuis Museum. Vendor tents line the canals outside of the museum. These sellers have all sorts of goodies on display. We saw samurai armor, delicious Japanese treats and even household goods. There were also a lot of booths that had literature. Titles included everything from the history of Japan to how to be a tourist on a dime.

There was also an entire row of food booths to enjoy. Sander and I ended up going for yakisoba (fried buckwheat noodles with veggies) and yakitori (chicken with a special sauce).

We then toured the current exhibit of the SeiboldHuis Museum. Along with the common rooms that house Seibold’s work there was another exhibit hosted. Currently it’s Japans naakt (link is NSFW). This exhibit showcases the beginning, rise to fame and the current state of nude photography in Japan. What started as a documentary of Eastern lifestyle turned into something much more profound and exploitative of the human figure. It’s a beautiful collection of thought provoking and intense photography that can only be experienced until September. The exhibit revolves about nudity and may not be family friendly.

We browsed through over 50 vendor stalls and came away with some good finds. I picked up this beautiful incense holder and Japanese incense at one of the stalls. Sander found me In Ghostly Japan in the museum store and I had to have it. I’m excited to visit this market again next year. We had a great time and there was so much to see!

The post Japan Market and SeiboldHuis Museum appeared first on A Daily Lee.

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!

The post The Keukenhof Willem – Alexander Pavilion appeared first on A Daily Lee.

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.

The post The Keukenhof Beatrix Pavilion appeared first on A Daily Lee.

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.

The post The Keukenhof Oranje Nassau Pavilion appeared first on A Daily Lee.

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.

The post The Keukenhof 2019 appeared first on A Daily Lee.

I don’t mind though. I love this location because it reminds me so much of my days working in a bookstore. There’s the smell of fresh books, the tucked away location, and the endless rows of unread titles. When I would read about far away bookstores, I would picture something like ABC. There are shelves from floor to ceiling. A winding staircase leads up to the 2nd floor and a super tiny one leads to the 3rd floor. Books on all topics occupy the shelves too. Art and fashion call the 1st floor home. Children books and all fictional books cover the 2nd floor. The 3rd floor lends the space to non-fictional titles.

The American Book Center covers all sorts of material too. I’ve found older publications and brand new titles for sale inside. There are also maps, travel books, calendars and other items one would expect in a bookstore. I’ve never been disappointed though. I think if you’re looking for a book, they’ll probably have it.

It’s so hard to take a photo inside because of the crowds and the layout of the store. Trust me though, this is one bookstore that every book lover should visit at least once. I’m excited to say we go every time we visit Amsterdam. Even if we don’t buy something I love the atmosphere of ABC. It’s homey and nostalgic for someone like me.

The post The American Book Center appeared first on A Daily Lee.