Biking in Rotterdam

Tags

bikes, Netherlands, Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a pretty spread-out city, with no discernible center. Luckily our bed and breakfast was actually a “Bed and Bike,” and came with some bikes to use. Equally lucky is how bike-able the city is: wide separated lanes, different signals, clear signs. What a joy!

A (blurry) while-riding picture showing the wide lanes.

We went to a good 5 or 6 museums while we were there, and instead of walking everywhere or waiting for trams, we just hopped on our bikes and sped off. So easy! I’m not sure I’ve really explored a new city by bike before, but I think it’s my new favorite way. Especially in the Netherlands.

We did have some small mechanical difficulties involving a fallen-off chain, a bent wheel, and some broken spokes. Dutch bikes are never coddled much.

Jesse and Alan hard at work. (Photo by Rachel Orrison)

We soon gave up on that bike altogether, and went the Dutch way: one person pedaling, one person riding on the back. I see it all the time in Amsterdam, and Jesse and I have tried it a few times, but never for so long. We went all over the city! Luckily we traded off who rode and who pedaled, so no one was stuck with extra weight for too long. (And luckily, I was always the extra weight…)

Rachel, riding in style

I have to say, this is the way to ride. Not only are you whizzing through the city on a (semi) comfy seat, you don’t have to look where you’re going, and can enjoy the scenery. Maybe even throw in a wave here and there, to various passersby.

(Photo by Rachel Orrison)

Biking really helped get the feel of the city. Rotterdam is known as a no-nonsense, working-class metropolis, as the saying goes: “Money is earned in Rotterdam, divided in The Hague and spent in Amsterdam.” It reminded me of some Pacific Northwest cities, with the grittiness of Seattle and the international diversity of Vancouver. It felt alive and livable, like a fun place to be on a Friday night. Next time!

{*You may have noticed the byline on some of these photos belong to my friend Rachel Orrison, who, along with her husband, is a fantastic photographer. Check out his portfolio (look for his Netherlands travel pics soon!) here.*}

Rotterdam Days

Tags

Museums, Netherlands, Rotterdam

We said goodbye to our guests today, after taking them on a whirlwind tour of the Netherlands. I think we made it to 4 cities in one week, and about four times as many museums! I’m a bit exhausted.

The Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam's most recognizable symbol (Photo by Rachel Orrison)

We spent about two days in Rotterdam, which is a mere 1 1/2 hour train ride away from Amsterdam, but an entirely different city. Where Amsterdam has stately canal houses and an old center, Rotterdam is packed with modern buildings, experimental architecture, and lots of neighborhoods. During WWII the city was heavily bombed by Hitler, forcing the country to surrender. The historical center was destroyed, and the past 50 years have been spent rebuilding in interesting and sometimes crazy styles. I’ve become convinced that if you like architecture, Dutch cities are some of the best places to visit!

One of the most experimental are the Cube Houses, a crazy clump of buildings that seem to “grow” like trees. The “forest” consists of 39 hexagonal houses designed in the 1970s by Piet Blom. We peeked into the “show cube,” where we could see what it’s like to live in a tilted, cubed house. The answer? Very 70s. Psychedelic, even.

We also took a harbor tour, which was perfect on a chilly day! Rotterdam is the world’s 3rd biggest port (behind Shanghai and Hong Kong), and Europe’s largest. Hundreds of tons of cargo go in and out every day–it was a little overwhelming. I never think about how the stuff I use gets places…

There are a few places that the bombs missed, and those retain that old brick 16th-century character I’m so used to in Amsterdam. The harbor of Delfshaven is one of the oldest and best-preserved. It’s a bit funny stepping from glass office buildings to a cobbled, canal-side street again.

A snippet of history for you: the above church is known as the Pilgrim Father’s Church. The Pilgrims had lived in Holland for awhile, but didn’t want to become Dutch so they decided to strike out for the new world. This harbor was where they left from, heading to England to then board the Mayflower and start their new life. History. Right here. Bam.

Tomorrow I’ll share some pictures of how we got around Rotterdam! Hint: 4 people, 6 wheels.