Amsterdam and beyond - Beautiful Breukelen

As any other unplanned travel, my trip to Amsterdam was also not planned. I did a quick booking at carpooling.co.uk and through Couch surfing found a host who informed me he stays in outskirts of Amsterdam and will pick me. A typical weekend trip to Amsterdam and around it was, and there are many people who come here to spend a weekend from nearby places.
Until a few years back, Amsterdam was always a name for me. A global city famous for sex tourism, architecture and the best thing nature could offer to mankind - Legalised cannabis.
After saying goodbye to the carpool driver, who was funny and weird and late I stepped in Amsterdam. First thing to notice there was boat taxi, and then a series of sex toy shops. As I walked around the red light district and few famous squares and monuments, I can't even remember names now, my craze for visiting Amsterdam started to fade. 'Aaah, this is what it is, nothing really special' and then the kick I got in a coffee shop made me happy again. I stopped thinking much and met my CS host - Klaas-Meyer from Breukelen.

The traditional ride

The famous and the most talked about thing about Amsterdam

That's a show window, I took a half hearted pic here

As we took a train and reached his place in night, welcomed by 2 friendly cats and tasty dinner, a round of conversations and beers followed that night and then I slept. Until now everything was behind the veil of darkness, and the next morning we planned to bike around to Breukelen and around. As I moved out on bike, we were immediately in middle of nature. Very beautiful farms, windmills, canals, tea houses with boat parking, folding bridges. I was not expecting all this, but I find it much more exciting than Amsterdam.
As we pedalled around, I saw an unmanned small fruit shop where people would pick stuff and drop money in a chained box. I remember in my university, there used to be a box full of chocolates, chips and a money box next to it and the collections were put on the board daily. A university with future lawyers, MBAs and Engineers, the board always displayed an average of 1 person who paid and 19 who don't paid and picked stuff. To make this average better, sometimes me and my group used to put in extra money in box without picking an item. Aah - and here I am.


God/Allah is watching you so better pay the money :)

And then I got a chance to understand that 70% of Dutch population is living below sea level. There must be a lot of floods every year and large scale devastation, no? Well no, thanks to the architecture and connecting canals which also serve as transportation medium. Also Netherlands is equipped fairly well to deal with natural disasters and floods, so good that US had to contact the Dutch after hurricane Katrina and Rita. I checked the pumps, the control units that can divert water flow and was really awed by the way this place was designed and developed.

Netherlands fairs really well, in top 10 in terms of GDP with a highly open economy, dependent on foreign trade and investement.


The next pick for me was Windmills, I got to know that these old windmills were used to crush wheat. It was a perfect set up standing next to a canal with eyen on a beautiful tea house set in the lawns of a sprawling house with a man rowing his kayak and an old wind mill in the background.

Tea houses were made by rich and influenced people to hold tea parties where people from far could come on their boats. It was interesting to hear the stories about the place

That's the floating house

Crossing river Rhine



A house, tea house and gate where boat is parked




 

The leisure morning ride was concluded by a nicely cooked meal at Klaus's home. And then I left Breukelen with a promise to be here again :)

Cheers and Have fun.

Few more pics:

Yes, I have been there :)

Breukelen bridge

Anyone in for a lunch

Perfect road to jog

One of the 2 pets of Klaus

Bavaria - Any hint?

Yes, the same girl's house who was killed under German invasion

 

My heart beats for Delhi

Delhi is so much more than just the capital city and power centre of India. For centuries it has been conquered, divided and rebuilt, with each new ruler leaving their unique stamp. Wandering through the streets of Delhi you stumble upon overgrown tombs from the Mughal era next to colonial bungalows left by the English and intricately carved havelis.
Interesting Fact: Delhi is the world's second most bird-rich capital city thanks to Delhi Ridge. A part of the Aravalli Range, Delhi Ridge is a forest with rich animal and plant life.
Delhi is at its best during the winter months of November to February when the average temperature ranges between 21 and 29 degrees Celsius. Whilst the temperature is pleasant, what makes Delhi winters worthwhile are the vibrant oranges, blushing pinks and flaming reds that blanket its parks and roadsides as flowers come into full bloom. Delhi is the shopping capital of India, with a wide choice of local, luxury and High Street brands. Some interesting shopping spots in Delhi include: Dilli Haat is a market place where art, craft and cuisine from all over India comes under one roof.
Hauz Khas Village famous for its Mughal Tomb and hip hop shopping has become a creative hub where you can wander through alleyways to find independent young designers, art galleries and hidden cafes. If you enjoy street shopping then Sarojini Nagar is the place for you. With rows of shoes and clothing stalls, this market offers a large variety of clothing and accessories at a lesser price, especially if you bargain hard. There are sweet shops and fruit stalls around, and lime water to satiate your thirst in scorching sun.
Delhi has a lot of options to stay, luxury hotels in upscale locality with all sorts of comforts or low priced guest houses in Pahar Ganj area (also known as main bazaar). Do not miss delhi's street food. Cheers and have fun.

Magical mcleodganj - lapped in himalayas

Mcleodganj, situated at an altitude of 2082 metres in Dhauladhar range, also known as little Lhasa owing to large number of Tibetans who have settled there. In 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama – Tenzin Gyatso, fled to India after failed uprising in Tibet against the Communist Party of China. Mcleodganj is the home to Tibetan refugees and headquarters of Tibet Government-in-exile. People from all over the world flock to this place to seek blessings and teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mcleodganj is around 7kms from Dharamsala and one can reach Dharamsala by regular buses from Delhi, Chandigarh, Manali, Shimla. A shared taxi to Mcleodganj is easily available from Dharamsala and once you start your journey uphill, beautiful peak of Triund (mountain peak) welcomes you with a great view. Mcleodganj has options for learning Yoga in Himalayas to keep you fit. You can enjoy a sip of herbal tea on a rooftop café with clouds playing hide and seek with sun, music of monastery bells in background and your favorite book. Walking ahead of Mcleodganj, one can visit Dharamkot for nice street music, trance cafes, Shiva temple and Bhagsu waterfall. A 2 day trek to Triund peak is something not to be missed, having momos and having a meaningful conversation with Buddhist monk is a priceless experience in Mecleodganj.
Once you Plan to go there try getting  information about festivals, local transport, maps, adventure sport like trekking, camping in wild, waterfalls to visit, monasteries, eating joints, yoga centres and all other attractions about Mcleodganj and have a great time there.