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Other locations... |
| Date: |
12/02/02 (34 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Relaxing, Beautiful, Fun
Disadvantages: Availability
Last summer, my family and I went to the Netherlands, in particular we were in the north around the Friesian Lakes. The Netherlands is a low lying country much of which is below sea level; there is a saying in the Netherlands that ‘God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland’.
I am half-Dutch and I love Holland. I think it is the laid back atmosphere, of a population which has learned to live in step with nature. Whenever I visit you can stop and talk to people, and they will always talk to you. The other great thing is that the majority speak English as well as French and German. This is quite an achievement, and it makes you feel right at home, but don't get to comfortable.
Prices are cheaper in Holland and so it is also good for shopping, and cheap to arrive there.
The subject of this opinion is sailing on the Friesian lakes. The Friesian lakes are a series of interconnected areas of water; they are either linked naturally or through canals. They offer good winds from the sea, and calm water from being inland. If one wished to sail out on a sea, one can always go to the Zuider Zee, which is that bit of sea in the north of Holland; this offers real sea sailing with waves and wind to match.
The amount of boats on offer is astounding; they range from large yachts to the elegant and comfortable flat bottomed indigenous boats. My personal preference is the flat bottomed boat; it is reasonably forgiving, lots of room inside, elegant to the utmost proportions, and quite speedy. Our boat last year was one of those, it took people comfortably, and we even had 6 at one point. This type was one of the smallest Flat bottomed boats available.
Activities which one can do include, sailing, swimming, relaxing, sun-bathing, and touring the areas. We would each day sail, and swim, and some times just stop the boat and relax. Each evening we tied up in one of various small villages near the lakes. I the even
ing we would have a glass of wine with our cousins, also staying in another boat and then have a meal in the cockpit.
The facilities available were astounding, all the loo’s and showers in each village were perfectly maintained, modern, and clean. They would not have looked out of place in an advert!
The boat had a fridge, hobs, and culinary objects already provided. Staying the night in the boat was awesome. It was so relaxing; a soft swell lulled you to sleep, meanwhile the hairs on your back tingled with excitement and wonder of sleeping on a boat.
I recommend this to anyone who is fed up with jetting off to Spain to soak up the sun. This was the most relaxing holiday I have ever had, and I will go again this summer.
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