Zaanse Schans is a small town about 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train. The town is the closest place to see real working windmills, and the beautiful Dutch countryside. The first thing you notice about Zaanse Schans is that the whole town smells like chocolate (which is strange, because I didn't see any chocolate while I was there). The windmills were pretty cool. We went inside a working sawmill, and got to see how it was built (via instructional DVD). Most of all the windmills were built in the 1700's (except for the one we went in, which was built last summer... lame). There was also a cheese farm, that had tons of cheese to sample and a view of the cheese making process. There was also lots of the usual shops with windmill replicas, and a wooden clog maker (I call it the "clogery"). Ok... The whole thing was a little "cheesy". The town is the pre-packaged Dutch experience that can be seen in under an hour. I found this to be a classic tourist trap, but enjoyed the scenery. I managed to escape without buying any clogs, cheese, delftware, or mini-windmills (I really wanted to paint my own clogs though).
Cheesy as it was, I will always remember Zaanse Schans (because the chocolate smell has permiated my clothes). For more info visit www.zaanseschans.nl
5 comments:
Hi,
Boy everytime I go in I have to create a new password I know it is me but I don't know what I am doing wrong.
Love the windmill is it the one you went in? Is that water in the foreground? I got a pair of clogs (Andy wasn't as strong as you) I never painted them though that is a thought.I am a cheese lover and I would not have been able to resist that part of the tour, that is my mainstay, eat it every day, my mouth is watering right now thinking of what you guys saw. Did they let you taste?
Keep in touch, Love Gramie
Hi guys,
I'm having the same problem with writing these comments. This is my second one today. I have to go through the whole sign up process each time. Maybe that is why you aren't getting any comments from anyone except me and gramie! The windmill is beautiful, it's how I've always picture Dutch land. And the cheese sampling does sound very yummy.
love you both
mom
I posted some handy-dandy instructions at the top of the comments section. Remember that there is no need to "sign in" or have any account. Just Click the " nickname" option, enter in your name, and click "publish comment".
Hey Guys,
Absolutely fantastic what you are doing! We had company last week and were busy drinking and showing off local restaurants so this is the first time we have had to get in touch. I want to be where you are--next time for sure.
Love,mom, Eben & Casey
PS Kaya is doing fine and we are spoiling her rotten.
We did try lots of cheese, it was great. We are standing on the dock of the one we went in and taking a picture of the one next door. You can only see the front of them from the water. This is my first comment, so let's see...
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