Sharpening the Saw - I: Hitting Marken, Volendam, Ghent & Brugges

Salam n good day to all,

Finally, i manage to hit these keys, to scribble something for my blog.
Actually i was on my summer vacation (sort of), after messing up my mind with my works.
As for a great my low budget breakaway mode - i visited Marken & Volendam (in the Netherlands), and Ghent & Bruges (Belgium) for my trip. (boleh la kan?)

Marken & Volendam
Marken is a peninsula province in the IJsselmeer, the Netherlands, located in the municipality Waterland of the North Holland. It is a former island (Zuiderzee), which nowadays is connected to the North Holland mainland by a causeway and dike. Even though it was only connected with the mainland in 1957, the atmosphere of old has never ceased to reign in the pretty island, with its colourful costumes, still worn especially on festive high-days. Also, Marken is a well-known tourist attraction, for its characteristic wooden houses. While, Volendam is one of the world famous traditional fishing villages, connected to Marken by a regular ferry service.

The Volendam

Reaching closer and closer - to the Marken

Scenic views of the Marken village.

One of the dikes nearby the Marken.
* Notice that the water level is higher than its ground. Many parts of the Netherlands provinces are under the sea level.

Yes, indeed amazingly almost half of the country lies below sea-level, up to six meters near Amsterdam. The water determine the unique impression you get that makes up the Netherlands. Water is the source of living in the Netherlands and a method of transport since centuries. But water is also the threat of the Netherlands. The red area in the map below is below three meters over sea level and would be under water if there were no dikes to protect the country. Even the name the Netherlands means "low land".

Provinces of the Netherlands
* (red colour refers to the regions those below 3 -meters sea level)

* well, it reminds me of my hometown - Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, where we were used to have our annual flood - it was almost every year. Pretty funny when i was a kid, prayed for flood - all the time. It was our fun time .... heh....heh...heh.


Ghent and Bruges

Ghent is the 4th largest Belgium's city, located in the east part of Flander region. This place is well known for its cathedrals, medieval castle of Gravesteen, and canals. Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Ghent is also the flower city of Belgium. Flower growers from the region around Ghent sell their beautiful begonia's and azalea's all over the world. Every 5 years the successful 'Gentse Floraliën" ( Ghent Flower Show) attracts thousands to the city.

opss... sorry ye, dah terpossing!

The Castle of Gravesteen (it is more to the relic building for me ;-) )

Next is the Bruges. It is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Located in the northwest of the country, the historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. As a typical European city landscape, Bruges is famous for its medieval architectures.

The Tower of Belfry


With Mr Crodriquez and his friends - from Spain at the Bruges Square.

The Canal of the Bruges

What can i say ? ... it was tiring - indeed, but i had fun. At least to refresh my mind. This week - time to make another full swing of my work. Next week, i will be leaving to Rotterdam, for my doctoral summer school with the team from NASA, about a week. So, it is pretty important for me to complete a couple of works before the day comes. Hmm,... and the Ramadhan month is coming too !- yahooo ..... ! (opsss).

pakcik said: Sharpening the saw is about renewing yourself - physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We (at least me) can not keep on working while our body is signaling something goes wrong (or getting tired). Sometimes a simple break will rejuvenate our work better. So, -plan to take your breakaway! :-)