City sights, Rotterdam

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Favorite thing: Whenever in Rotterdam my eyes are drawn to the other side of the river Meuse. I cannot help it and always get mixed feelings ...

Why? I donot really know. Maybe because I've seen the change of this small piece of Rotterdam, the Noordereiland.

It used to be an underdoggy place pushed into a darkling corner by artists, musicians and performers and I thought it would become a place of artistic Bohemians. Well, the Bohemians stayed, that is a fact although the atmosphere has gone with the wind ...

Fondest memory: The Noordereiland has been turned into a light modern place to live. No music out of trendy pubs. Still I love to come here for a walk and watch the famous Rptterdam skyline. Then the mixed feelings will blow away, too ... thanks!

Favorite thing: Rotterdam is the site of ambitious architecture.
Buildings like "the Montevideo Tower", and bridges like the "Erasmus bridge" are creating a beautiful skyline. Especially by night!

note: Rotterdam's skyline is standing in the best European Skylinetop (together with Frankfurt, Warsaw and Paris)

I like walking or cycling over the "Maasboulevard" for enjoying this pictures view.

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Favorite thing: In 1953 the Lijnbaan was the first shoppingstreet in the world where the cars were banned. In those years was written: the Lijnbaan is the most modern and luxurious shopping centre with 78 delightful shops.

It took some time before I discovered an old gateway between the modern buildings. It is the Coolsingelpoort (gate), the last remain of the Coolsingelhospital which was devastated during the war in 1940. Originally the old gateway stood at the rear of the hospital before it was moved to this place at the Lijnbaan close to a tree which stood in the courtyard of the hospital.

Because the former hospital was situated close to this spot, the Lijnbaan looks historically the most logical place fore the old gateway, though there were ideas as well to move the gateway to the new Erasmus hospital.

Favorite thing: We did not visit the Euromast cos when we were there, it was very misty and decided not to go.
One can go up there to have a bird's eye view of Rotterdam - the port city. There's a restaurant at the top too.

Favorite thing: When we reached Park Hotel on the first day, we saw a board giving us a cultural walking route map. We marked it out on our map and followed the route. There was very few people on the streets. Perhaps it was Saturday and it is winter, so not many tourists in Rotterdam. There are things to see along the route, but... I prefer to go to more crowded places where I can see other people.
But it was nice to see the lakes in the park frozen.

Fondest memory: I saw a duck on the grass beside a frozen lake. I decided to scare it and chase after it. It waddled on the ice and it was very fun to see the duck slipping as it waddled on the slippery ice.

Favorite thing: When German planes hit the Netherlands, and Rotterdam in particular, they did a meticulous job: they nearly destroyed avery single building. When it was time to rebuild the city the authorities voted against a project of reconstructing the city like it used to be. They said it was time for Rotterdam to move on, not back - and opted for a modern face-lift.
Today only an old area remains: the small district called Delftshaven. It's located along a canal, where the old lock still is. All the houses that surround the canal are traditional wooden houses. Docked along it there are plenty of old boats, those wooden one with high masts. some host restaurants and bars - other appeared to be inhabited.

Fondest memory: At the end of the canal - just to remind you that you are in the Netherlands, there's an old windmill and for a while you'll have the feeling of being somewhere in the peaceful countryside instead than in a thriving busy city

Favorite thing: Rotterdam is primarily a modern city - often also an experimental modern city. It's a city in the making, an everchanging city. And local people love it for it - especially they love the sight of the many building cranes scattered all over and around. I asked my friend to expain me why - he said they show that the city`s alive and growing.

Fondest memory: Meeting up with a wonderful old dear friend - who also acted as a wonderful city guide. Thanks Joost.

Favorite thing: There is also a tv/radio transmitting tower that seems to be obligitary in some European cities pls see pic. We did not go there however so cannot tell you anything about it but here is a link for their site...http://www.euromast.nl/

Favorite thing: Across the Nieuwe Maas, at the Kop van Zuid, you can spot the Wilhelmina tower (at the left), designed by C. Dam, 1994-1996, 100 meters tall, 20 levels and used as offices.
At the right the courthouses, designed by R. Ligtvoet/Architectenbureau Kraaijvanger-Urbis, 1994-1996, comprehends 5 stores.

Favorite thing: Leave the river Nieuwe Maas at your left side and walk the promenade direction Erasmusbridge.
You have a row of all kinds of flags and to make it easy for you they have put a board next to it so you can check the different origins of the flags.