Tourist Wall by Alison
Day
The tourist wall—a place to walk along, sit, or ponder the seascape, pose, photograph or be photographed.
© Alison Day
Showing posts with label tourist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tourist. Show all posts
Monday 20 July 2015
Sunday 20 July 2014
The Lost Tourist
Waking up to our last day, of a two week holiday on the sunny island of Crete and perturbingly the idea of going home actually appeals—shock horror!—never thought I'd hear myself say that.
I've eaten in every restaurant I wanted to re-visit and drunk every drink that appealed (with the odd early morning thick head afterwards. I've done the everything and the nothing I intended, as well as reached a total state of relaxation and calm, which is exactly what I was aiming for.
There are more signals that the time to go has arrived. Sitting by the pool has replaced any activity and conversation has become an effort... er... what was my name again? Also, I see worrying traits akin to the lost tourist beginning to emerge—god forbid and... the pigeons are closing in.
What on earth are you talking about!
Well... the lost tourist was first spotted in the old town, as he shot up a side street, alongside a souvlaki bar where my son and I were munching on gyros pita. He caught our attention because he didn't fit in with the usual relaxed flow, adopted by tourists in hot countries.
Before I could pop another chip into my mouth, he had reappeared from the side street looking shocked—wild white hair, protruding eyes—awash with the local firewater and long legs swinging forward in spasms. The increasing momentum propelling him off in an unstable manner in the opposite direction down the street.
The final time we saw him, it was cocktail time on the hotel terras. With the whole terras to choose from he plopped down in a cushioned, wicker arm chair right next to me.
Oh gawd—no!—but it's a free country—right? —So we ignored him.
Unfortunately, there are people you can ignore and those you won't let you... Gazing out to sea and in-between gulps from litre-sized, Mythos beers, he would laugh intermittently at nothing. Then, when the waiter shooed away the pigeons—advancing on the cheesy, starsign-shaped snacks accompanying our drinks—he positively roared with laughter. Why? Who knows—although it is said that laughter is good for the soul.
With no desire for contact, but feeling his eyes boring into my left shoulder—as I sketched—I decided on a furtive glance at our chuckling hyena. Through darkened sunglasses, I could see there was absolutely nothing to worry about. From his face, I could see that the lost tourist's flight to the planet, Zob had happily departed a long time ago.
[*Ooh, look a pigeon* . . . Ha ha ha!]
Thursday 3 June 2010
Summer Activities in the Netherlands
Bourtange
William of Orange ordered the fortified pentagon to
be constructed as a result of the ongoing Eighty Years’ War between the Dutch
and the Spanish. He wanted to suppress the Spanish who, at that time had
managed to acquire Groningen and much of the northern territories.
Most of the buildings in Bourtange were built
between 1645 and 1666, but by the 20 century not much remained.
Reconstruction in 1972, means that the fortress is reminiscent of Bourtange in
1742, at its biggest.
Apart from the fort at Bourtange there are a variety
of things to do and see. There is the village, with its restaurants, a
traditional old style hotel,
souvenir shops, museums and some enjoyable walks in
the surrounding area. Once a year there is a spectacular re-enactment of the
Napoleonic fights of 1814. With cannons booming, hundreds of participants all
dressed in the traditional dress of the day and carrying authentic weapons,
re-enact the fight as soldiers and civilians.
Bourtange is also open for groups, school groups
(for which they have numerous educative programmes available), and it is even
possible to get married there.
The fort can be visited the whole year round. For
more information the on site information centre is open weekdays from 09.00 –
17.00 and in the weekends (summer season) 11.00 – 17.00. Tel: (0599) 354
600.
Ballooning
Here’s another idea for the summer. Ever wanted to
get a bird’s eye view of the Benelux from the clouds, whilst sitting in a straw
basket. Well, for the brave at heart, how about taking a flight in a hot air
balloon with family or friends?
Greetzz is a company that offers hot air balloon
flights with numerous different ‘take off’ locations throughout the Netherlands
and Belgium. Or should you wish it you could arrange your own flight
destination from start to finish. If you fancy seeing Groningen or any of the Northern
Provinces from a different angle, or to venture further afield, Greetzz are
happy to accommodate your wishes.
With experienced, certified, professional pilots you
can be assured of not only a safe but also an enjoyable flight. Each round trip
flight lasts around an hour and includes a Champagne toast whilst ‘on-board’.
Photos are always taken during the flight as a memento.
Tickets for a flight are all inclusive and prices
start from: 1-6 tickets for € 160,00 per ticket. There are discounts for
bigger groups. For a child’s flight a ticket costs € 99,00.
Should a balloon be a little on the slow side and
you are more of a speed freak; Greetzz also offers flights by helicopter. They
have a range of different helicopters, the sppeds of which vary from between
150km – 250km per hour, depending on which helicopter you choose. This will
guarantee to put a smile on your face!
For more information or to book a flight visit their
website: (Dutch).
Landal – Stroombroek
For a short break from the hustle and bustle a few
days at one of the Landal GreenParks is perfect especially if you have
children. We tried one at Stroombroek in Braamt not far from Arnhem.
The park has self-catering houses of varying sizes,
and in some even pets are allowed. The secure nature of the park means that it
is a children’s paradise. They can go off and enjoy themselves whilst you can
stretch out in the sun with a book. Mascot, Bollo the Bear is on site every day
and kids can make the use of go-carts, swim, play mini golf, go bowling or just
jump up and down on a large bouncy cushion. Every day there are also different
organized activities to choose from.
At Stroombroek there is a large lake with a small
beach and the possibility to water-ski. The staff at the Greek style
information centre, Palestra are very friendly and helpful. There is also a
little shop where you can buy essential items as well as warm bread rolls early
in the morning. Should you not feel like cooking there is a large restaurant
with a reasonably priced buffet on site. For adults there is the sauna and
beauty salon offering every form of relaxation and pampering you can imagine.
© Alison Day
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Featured City - Emmen
Emmen can be
found to the north-east of The Netherlands province of Drenthe
With 108,000
residents it is the most highly populated city in the area. It also
accommodates the highest concentration of industry in the northern Netherlands
Emmen is
also both nationally and internationally renowned as an open, green city. An
abundance of room has meant that with the use of clever landscaping the
suburban areas border on heather covered land, sand dunes and woodland. Saxon
farms and nine ancients’ graves show just how long this area has
been inhabited.
The zoo, Wildlands (formerly known as Dierenpark Emmen), was built in 1935 and totally renewed in 2016. It has a large collection of animals that live in a carefully reconstructed habitat according to vegetation, climate and elevation. The oldest animal in the zoo is an elephant, Annnabel, who arrived at the zoo forty years ago at the age of two. The zoo attracts 1.5 million visitors every year and is open all year round.
The centre of Emmen is lively and filled with modern and diverse shopping areas as well as cafés and restaurants.
Culturally, Emmen also offers theatre, exhibitions and festivals for visitors. There is also a walk or cycle route, that with the guide book 'Beelden in Emmen' (Images in Emmen) in hand, takes the visitor past all the art works, and statues around the city. The guide is available from the VVV Emmen (tourist information).
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