Holland
With a short trip to Switzerland
30 April - 9 May, 2006
Holland
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Harry went to Holland, the land of tulips, canals and bicycles,
to attend IFCS World Agility Championships 2006. It took only six hours from New York to Amsterdam by airplane. He slept all the way under his master's seat in the cabin. The day he arrived was the day after Queen's Birthday. Amsterdam City was filled with broken grass and rubish from the parade. |
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So Harry decided to flee from Amsterdam and visit Keukenhof.
Keukenhof is very well-known for its tulip gardens. The entire park looked like covered with colourful carpets made of tulips. The guide said the park was going to be closed in two weeks, as they have to cut off all the flowerd in order to cultivate good bulbs. The park will be opened again next spring. |
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This is Harry's photo in front of large red tulips.
In Europe, dogs were allowed in most public spaces. There were many dogs, small or large, in the park on that day. A small canal was running through the park, and a few retrievers were enjoying swimming there. Harry wanted to join them but decided not to in the end, as he had to go back to the hotel by crowded bus. |
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An old wind mill, the symbol of Holland.
But they exist only in tourist spots nowadays. Freshly baked breads and cakes were sold in the wind mill. |
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The following day was unfotunately rainy and cold.
Harry slept well entire morning. In the afternoon, he visited the National Museum to study arts. A special exhibition of Rembrandt was held there (open until June 2006). There was a long queue despite of the cold rain. |
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A tiny dog like Harry may be allowed to enter the museum
as long as he is quiet and invisible in a closed bag. Harry was lucky to be able to enjoyed Rembrandt's paintings with his family. But he stayed at the hotel room while his family was visiting the Van Gogh Museum, because no dogs (and no hand luggages) are allowed there. Dogs can be tied outside museum buildings, but Harry's master would never leave Harry alone outside, especially in a foreign country! (NB: From 2007, dogs are no longer allowed in the National Museum either.) |
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In the evening, his family went out for dinner.
Dogs are allowed in many restaurants in Holland. But Harry decided to stay at the hotel as he was very tired. It did not get dark until 9PM in May in Holland. The view of the canal from the restaurant's window was beautiful. |
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Harry and his family were invited to Basel too this time.
They all flew to Switzerland on a very tight schedule. Basel is a Swiss city, but located at the border with France and Germany. There were "Swiss Exit" and "France/Germany Exit" at the airport. Harry thought that was very interesting. The beautiful green River Rhein was quietly running. The old stone buildings must have been standing there for hundreds of years. The entire city looked like just popped out from fairy story books. |
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Harry's family decided to rest well in Basel.
After all, Basel is not a tourist spot. But in the evening, they were invited to dinner in a fancy restaurant. They left Harry again in the hotel. The owner of the restaurant said "Where is Harry? We were told that you were taking your dog with you!" even before he said good evening to them. Basel seems to be a very dog friendly city. |
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The view of the Rhein from the hotel room.
Harry's family had tea with strawberry tarts from a town patisserie. Harry waited patiently for the strawberries to fall from the table. But it never happened. Harry and his family are all moving to Basel from New York next month. They all liked this old city so much. Harry is going to be a Swiss dog soon. |
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With the 3rd flight in 4 days, Harry came back to Holland again.
Harry looked exhausted by the time he arrived at the Schiphol airport. He did not wake up at all at the airport or the railway station. They took train from Schiphol to Breda, the nearest station from Oosterhout. Railway services are excellent in Holland. The trains always depart on time just like in Switzerland or in Japan. |
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The view from the train window.
Flowers are everywhere in Holland in May. They arrived at Breda at 10PM. Harry and his master were so tired and sleepy. They went to bed straight away to get ready for IFCS World Agility Championships starting next day. Please also check IFCS World Agility Championships 2006 Report to see how Harry did in that prestigious show. |
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