European Adventure 2005 Day 11

Today, i left Utrecht and head north to Groningen. didn't do so badly getting here, either.... what should have been 185 kilomtres and 1.75 hours driving time only took me 210 kilometres and 2.5 hours. Yay! :D
i found my way to the highway and out of Utrecht without problem and sailed along the well maintained highways toward Groningen. it was a sunny day and a nice drive through farmlands. saw herds of cows and sheep and even some very large beautiful horses grazing in the green fields as i drove. also, saw a whole bunch of modern Dutch windmills lined up nice and straight and continuing for kilometres into the horizon so i guess i was driving through the famous polders that are created by the draining of water from the land. the windmills weren't the picturesque kind that Americans always think of, these were very modern and businesslike. they look like giant airplane propellers, either 2 or 3 blades, mounted on top of very tall poles and they were turning slowly and methodically. a few weren't turning, but were stationary.... made me wonder if they were malfunctioning and awaiting maintenance. i should have stopped to get a photo of them, but didn't. silly me! will try to do that on the way back south in a few days.

so, as i'm approaching Groningen i'm feeling very good about myself having successfully driven across The Netherlands without getting lost. but i shouldn't have been so smug.... it took me only about 2 minutes once i exited the highway to get lost. lol, i discovered that Groningen is a town of one-way streets. this worked out pretty much in my favor because after about half an hour of driving around the town i found myself back at the highway. cool, i got back on the highway and tried to find my way, again. woohoo, after only a few minutes, i found myself pretty close to where i thought i wanted to be and asked someone for directions. yippeee, i was right in front of the parking garage i was looking for and only a minute walk from my hotel. very cool! B-)


and, wow! what a grand hotel it is! i love old buildings and this one has captured my heart and my imagination. i have never stayed in such a marvelous hotel as is Schimmelpenninck Huys. this old house's history dates all the way back to 1100!!! with the last major building works being done in 1723.... the ceilings must be 12-14 feet high, marble floors, deepset windows of massive proportions, rich old woodwork, chandeliers, fireplaces, steep but wide winding staircases, sunroom, library/lounge, restaurant and large dining rooms, courtyard garden.... incredibly impressive and beautiful.
oh! and, not to forget that an elegant and extensive breakfast menu, Wifi and bicycle use (very practical amenity!) is included in the room rate... the cool thing is that this hotel is much more beautiful and charming, but considerably less expensive than the other hotels with which i have booked stays. amazing.


this single room is narrow like the room i had in Amsterdam, but is larger. and, i thought the window in the Amsterdam room was large.... this Groningen room's window is massive..... it must be 10' tall and 6 feet wide. it nearly fills the wall facing the garden. hehee, to open and close the window, i've got to hunker down below the counter/work station that has been placed wall-to-wall across it. good thing there are 2 brass handles on the giant window to hold onto while removing the block of wood that holds the window open. medium-thick dark peach velvet drapes keep the room warm at night when loosened from the brass hooks.... which reminds me, i've noticed that the Dutch don't seem to cover their windows like Americans. they live and work behind open windows rather than closing off the world and hiding behind curtains. i find that an interesting thing.... but, here i sit with curtains and drapes pulled back so i can enjoy the view as i type away on my laptop.
somehow, sitting in this room, feel i'm soaking in some real aspect of the Dutch culture, history and lifestyle.... may sound silly, but i told ya this ancient building is capturing my imagination :)


lovely garden view i have from my room, eh? :)

anyway, pretty tired from my adventures of yesterday and today, so walked up the street to the town centre and had a simple supper of beer and sandwich while admiring the church clock tower and then crashed early. looking forward to checking out Groningen properly... so, stay tuned....