What is the Netherlands? Is it near Holland?
Who are the Dutch? They live in Denmark, right?
And, Amsterdam. What’s the deal? Is it a city? A country? A settlement on the moon?
Have no fear weary traveler. I have the answers.
The Netherlands is the official name of the nation that lies between the North Sea, and Belgium and Germany. Holland (North and South) is the name of two well-known provinces that were the cultural and economic heart of the Netherlands during its “Golden Age.” So…internationally, the nation became known as Holland.
As a practical matter, the name Holland is still used to promote the nation to businesses and tourists.
The people who call this wonderful country home are known as the Dutch.
Amsterdam is the country’s largest city, and its capital. (I love Amsterdam. I have been there over a dozen times, and the place impressed me on each visit. Put Amsterdam on your radar – you won’t regret it .)
Tomorrow, I fly from Brussels, Belgium back to Los Angeles. It’s been a really fun trip, but it’s time to return to California. 🙂
Categories: Ideas, Inspiration, Photography
I love the photos. Completely into manipulation of anything so that it tells the story going on in your imagination. That’s our point of difference from the rest of the world. Thanks for the inspiration
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Thank you! I totally agree!! Well said. Thanks for understanding! 😀 Have a terrific day!
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I’m digging the experimental use of color manipulation you’ve got going. I myself enjoy playing with and manipulating colors to try and create the feeling I had when the shutter clicked. I will be interested to see how you hone this tool over time. Keep on keeping on!
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Thanks Dan! I appreciate the feedback. And that’s exactly what I am doing. Manipulating the colors according to my view and imagination. It’s just what I enjoy doing…and that’s what art is all about. Exploring what moves you. I dig your photos a lot. They are really cool – I really enjoy the point of view. You too – keep on keeping on. Great to meet you.
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Lovely photos, especially the bikes and the cows – they’re my favourites! 🙂
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Hi Maxine! Thank you! The one-horned cow is a favorite of mine too 😄
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Congratulations on your very compelling photos, Kevin.
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Hi Lisa! Thank you 😎
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Oops, almost forgot. Happy Father’s Day!
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Thank you, Sue! Have a terrific day!
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Love all the cobblestone, and that stone archway. Very cool!
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😀
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I love all of them but the cows are so beautiful. The one laying down has a sweet fuzzy tail and she’s so lovely. Great shots.
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We were playing “farmers golf” with my wife’s family. It’s a Dutch game. We shared the field with the cows. It was funny. Thanks for the comment! I really liked my one horned cow friend too! 🐂
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Great photographs and that a sounds like fun:)
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Thank you!!
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Absolutely stunning photos. I enjoyed them all yet my favorite is of the sunset. Incredible frame, the proportions just mind blowing. Thank you for quite an awesome post!! Love, Amy ❤
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Hi Amy! Thank you for the kind words. I really like that sun photo as well. It looks cool – almost like an imaginary world.
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Beautiful.
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Right on! Thanks, J.C.
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I am happy to hear you enjoyed the photos!! We did have a very nice time. Thanks, as always, for your comment!
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Thank you for liking “Illiteracy in America Infographic.” I enjoyed looking at your colorful photos and learning more about Holland and Amsterdam. I have not been there before, so thank you for the virtual tour. It sounds like you and your family had a wonderful time. 🙂
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Hi Kevin! What a scenic country! I love it. Amsterdam is definitely on my ‘Bucket List’. I’m dying to go since a few of my friends have gone and raved about the trip. Great pictures (as usual). I’m so glad you’re enjoying your trip. 😀
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Vashti! Thanks for the comment. Yes, it is a great place. If you ever go, let me know and I’d be happy to give you tips. I have been going there since 1999. Plus, my wife and daughter both have dual American – Dutch citizenship. I have insider’s knowledge for you. 🙂 Have a great day!
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Sounds great! I will definitely do that. Thank you! 😀
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Beautiful photos! I live in Amsterdam and I’m very glad you’re enjoying it! 🙂
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Hi Suzanne – yes, I love Amsterdam. What a great city. My first visit was in 1999, and I have been there many times since. My wife and two year old daughter have dual American- Dutch citizenship, so I will be making many more trips to Holland. My wife’s parents and her entire family live there. In 1999, I was still in university, and I spent a semester studying in Utrecht. Love that city!! Thanks for the comment, and kind words!
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Just came back from Belgium too 🙂 Hope you had a nice flight and arrived safely in beautiful California. Love your pictures ❤
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Cool, thanks!! We made a day trip to Bruges while we there. Beautiful city.
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Bruges is beautiful ! Very touristic at this time of the year though. Glad you liked it 🙂 I lived in Antwerp for most of my life… worth a visit druing summer time, when the sun is out. Unfortunately we don’t have much of that in Belgium 😦
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Next time we visit my wife’s family, Antwerp is on our list 🙂
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Hi Kevin! Thanks for sharing on your trip! I have really enjoyed re-visiting through your camera lens places that I have been to quite some time ago….I also loved Amsterdam and there really is bicycles absolutely everywhere! They have right of way on the roads as well, even over bigger vehicles like buses! I have two lots of friends here in Australia that originated from The Netherlands, and even though they are Aussie, they treasure their piece of ‘home’ as well….I also love their houses in the city where if you rent, and you move house, they take everything with them when they move, even the light fittings, the carpet and all! This is because all those houses are exactly the same size, so when they move, they can simply move house – literally!. They do not have as much land as we do in Australia, so they grow vegetables etc. near their railroad tracks, and wherever they can! I loved it all, and I am glad you did too! Enjoy a great trip home too….Many Blessings, Barbara xxxxx
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Hi Barbara! Thanks for your great comment. My wife is from Holland. So, we go back often to visit her parents and the rest of her family. My daughter is 2, and this was her first trip to Holland. She has already seen her Dutch grandparents on their visits to us here in the US, but she got to meet the rest of her Dutch family on this trip. It was very nice. Her and my wife have dual American-Dutch citizenship. Also, while in college, I got to study abroad in Holland for a semester (5 years before I met my wife.) Thanks again for always having such great comments. Much appreciated!!
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Wow! Can I ask a question – are you a professional photographer too?
By the way, I think I forgot to mention – a wonderful blog name and subtitle
Happy journey to home (:
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Hi Alexia. Thanks for thinking so highly of my photos. I am still an amateur photographer (although I have sold some photos.) I would love to do it professionally – so wish me luck! 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes for the journey home and for being such a great supporter of my website. Keep up the great work on your blog!!!
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Best wishes, always. You made me feel more sensible than I really am. 😂
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Safe travels, my friend:) And awesome photos!!!
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Thank you Krissy 😁😎
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You are most welcome..ps. your emoticons are so fancy!! haha hehe um. crickets
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I pride myself on my fancy emoticons 🐷🐞 haha crickets
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Hahaha.. 😎 me too
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Love all the pictures. Thank you for sharing, Kevin 🙂
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Hi Michele, thanks so much. It was a nice trip! Have a great day 😁
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The photos are beautiful. The one of the playground and the tunnels need stories to go with them!
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Hi Kelly, thanks! You are right. A nice European based thriller to along with those photos would work well. 🙂
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a nice walk thru of the Netherlands through your photos! 🙂
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Cool…I am glad you enjoyed the photos!
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Oh yes, we love our bikes 😆 , haha. I love photos
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Yes, you guys do!! I studied in Utrecht for a semester in college. I went through about 3 bikes during that time. haha. Loved riding around to class on a bike. Thanks for the comment, Soeline!
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Beautiful photos again, Kevin! I am sure you enjoyed the time. So tomorrow you gonna have the heat (I mean really heat) back. Glad we had you here! The next time come a little more south and I’ll show you around over here 😉
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Lichtenstein is on our list!! You can be our personal tour guide! We will pay you in kind-ness. Get it?! Haha. Cheesy! Thanks Erika!!
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Haha… love that!!! That might be easy for you since you have kindness abundantly 😀 I would love to be your personal tour guide!!! Have a save trip home!
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Thanks, Erika!
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Welcome, Kevin 🙂
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Fantastic photos!!! Wow! Cher xo
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Cher, thanks so much. Have a great day!
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And to you as well!! Cher xo
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