More Art in Rotterdam...

Apologies for the delay in finishing this post about our afternoon in Rotterdam (things have been extra hectic lately).

Of course, we had to show Veronica this clever cycling wall, where she hopped on both the pedals...

…and the luggage rack. 

This cool orange metal sculpture was built in 1993 to represent the Delftse Poort, a medieval city gate that was originally built in 1545. It had been repaired several times over the years and then was destroyed during World War II. 

Nearby was this cool modern sculpture...

…some cool reflections...

…and a cool set of swings.

Somehow I’d never seen this incredible mosaic wall depicting medieval Rotterdam high up on a wall on the edge of the shopping district.

Cascade is a large sculpture made out of polyester of 18 oil drums with people essentially dripping down.

Saw these funny murals painted outside closed stores...

…this funny sign on the side of an eclectic shop... 

…and this famous Andy Warhol quote alongside another (although Smithsonian magazine suspects he never actually said those words).

 

Back to Rotterdam...

On May 14, we spent an afternoon in Rotterdam with Veronica. It was a gray day, but there were still spots of blue which made for some nice reflections. 

The city was hosting the Eurovision Contest later that week.

Our goal was to walk around and show Veronica some of the cool urban art that we had seen months ago. Along the way, we came across this building with lots of crows sitting on the windows.

It was cool approaching the Art Depot from a different direction and to see the progress since mid-December. It was originally expected to open in July, but has been delayed until November. 

Veronica was very impressed with this incredible building that she hadn’t seen before. 

As usual, I couldn’t resist taking photos from many angles. 

It’s funny how every time we visit Rotterdam, we notice something different, including these two funky sculptures along the main canal near Rotterdam Centraal.,,

…and this seemingly crooked building. 
 

Out on a Limb...

On our walk back, we stopped at a small dock along the pond and spotted this giant tree across the way, which led to the coolest shots of the day, complete with reflections. 

Between shots, Jimmy and I chatted with a guy who was fishing as a volunteer collecting data on life in the pond. When he caught a fish, he took photos and measurements and then threw it back in. 

Kati decided to get into the act...

…but turned around when Veronica ventured further out.

On our way home, Veronica convinced Kati to pose amongst the flowers...

…where I managed to catch this great shot.
 

Spring Portraits...

On May 13, Veronica wanted to take some family portraits and self-portraits. First we took Kati across the street, which had bloomed quickly into a jungle now that spring had finally arrived...

…complete with wild garlic.

Next we headed to the island at the cinder track that holds the kinderboederij (children’s farm). Along the way, we spotted this horse.

Veronica was in charge of the shoot and wanted to pose amongst the wildflowers.

Kati was shockingly patient.

Our turkey friend seemed less thrilled to see us this time around...

...as evidenced by his puffed up feathers.

 

Trekking in Noordwijk...

After finding some more tulips, we went in search of somewhere to take a long walk. We settled on heading to Noordwijk, where we parked near our turning point on our previous walk in the area and walked the opposite direction. 

The weather was great and we found a really nice walking path, mostly quite separated from the cycle path...

…with these cute signposts.

We saw some more of the old Atlantikwall (Atlantic Wall)...

…and a viewing area that was covered in plastic trash found in the sea as a work of protest art.