Phew! Is that a dutch beach? Really? With all those people? Under that burning sun? Yep, it is! Very atypical dutch weather, I have to admit. But hey, wait a minute, how did we get here, at the beach of Zandvoort on a sunny summer day? Let’s roll back in time and start at the beginning of that beautiful monday. (I would love to say ‘sunday’, with al that sun going on, but truth be told: it was a monday.;-)
What a tropical sunny day at the beach of Zandvoort!
A little boy having fun at the beach.
That monday morning I put on a dress in animal print, stepped in my short embroidered booties and got in my car. Armed with a welcome poster, I headed for Schiphol airport to pick up our guest: Suzanne from SuzanneCarilloStyleFiles.
Delft Blue kissing couple on the Arrivals Doors at Schiphol.
Making Suzanne feel welcome. Bit of humor included;-)
She should have arrived a day earlier, but had trouble catching her plane. Trouble? She missed it! Read here to find out what happened.
Suzanne looked fresh and pretty, despite her delay and all the traveling. Incredible. I never look like that after a flight ;-). Do you?
Can you imagine Suzanne just traveled with stop-overs and all? Doesn’t she look radiant?
She installed herself at her first address, the home of my friend Sylvia. Suzanne unpacked, took a nap and was all energized when I picked her up some hours later to go to Zandvoort, for a tropical day at the Dutch coast. From Haarlem, where I live, it is very easy to visit Zandvoort. It is about 20 minutes by car, an hour by bike and you can also get there by train or bus.
Zandvoort’s architecture along the boulevard is quite ugly, especially with grey weather, but today…? Wow, it was gorgeous! You could easily imagine being somewhere along the Cote d’Azur. I even wondered why I don’t visit Zandvoort more often. (Don’t worry…I know why;-))
First Suzanne and I walked along the boulevard, admiring the street art.
I love this portrait of a white-mustached lady. Looked familiar, hahaha…
Suzanne was wearing the perfect summer outfit: a flower dress and a straw hat.
On a bench in front of more street art in Zandvoort.
There happened to be a Sand Sculpture event: the European Championship Sand Sculptures. When we were there, they were in the process of creating the art. The sand art stays there until december, so be sure to have a look, if by any chance you visit Zandvoort. The artworks look spectacular.
At the moment there is a Sand Sculpture festival going on in Zandvoort. It runs till december 2014; don’t miss it if by chance you visit Zandvoort!
One of the sculptures. Isn’t it awesome?!
Then we walked back via the beach. Suzanne took her shoes of and dipped her toes in the sea to test the temperature. It was pleasant in that heat, as I understood from her.
Suzanne testing the water of the Northsea.
The beach at Zandvoort is 9 km long and it continues from there to Bloemendaal and IJmuiden. You can walk along the coast for hours. Pretty amazing, right?
Suzanne strolling over the beach of Zandvoort.
Bloemendaal is Zandvoort’s ‘cool’ neighboring beach. For naturists or nudists there is a 3 km long designated beach. And there is a designated stretch where dogs can run around unleashed. How cool is that?!
There was a lot to see at the beach. Small crabs, sea shells, seagulls and sandcastles. A friend of mine is a beach comber and she finds a ton of cool stuff regularly, after the crowds go home.
We ended up at Meijer aan Zee, one of my favorite beach restaurants in Zandvoort. Why? They have lots of seats; indoors, al fresco and even right on the beach. The food and drinks are good and affordable, the vibe and decor are relaxed. The location is great, near where I park my car. And last but not least: during summer there is a milonga (tango salon) at least once per week.
Meijer aan Zee; the location for two summer tango salons that I frequent regularly.
Loyal readers know how I love Argentine Tango. They also know that I dance, teach and DJ tango since more then ten years now. The music still moves me to tears, even after all this time. So if I am in the country, I try to attend the summer salons organized by Tango at the seaside and Beach Tango, both held at Meijer aan Zee. Once a year I DJ there and guess what, that evening I was the DJ!
So Suzanne and I chatted the hours away, had dinner looking out over the sea, after which I plugged in my laptop. Suzanne dances tango as well, but she did not feel comfortable enough to give it a go that night. Instead she enjoyed the music, watched the dancers, took lots of pictures and made a small video.
Suzanne, enjoying her pizza.
There were many dancers and it was a fantastic night.
The ambiance and crowd were wonderful!
Like often, the sunset was amazing.
What a beautiful sunset! See the standup peddlers at sea?
You know how there are moments, days and events during which you feel completely happy? Well, this day was one of them; I cherish the memory. Do you have days that feel perfect to you? What makes them so great?
Note: all pictures taken by me, unless I am in the picture myself. In those cases Suzanne took them.
I still regret having another appointment that evening as it looked like such a fabulous evening. I wished they organised some outdoor dancing events here. I would surely go.
Maybe next summer in Holland? Singaporeans may not be so much into outdoor salons.
What a great day and evening that was! Thanks again for taking me : ) I loved every minute of it.
bisous
Suzanne
Me too, Suz!
Wow, what a great place! I love the artwork and sculpture! It looks like an amazing day! By the way, I received your necklace in the mail on Friday and I absolutely love it! Since it’s a locket I will put the pictures of my 2 young grandchildren in it and wear it often! Thank you! <3
Thanks, Nena.
And I’m happy that the parcel arrived quite fast and that you like the locket! Yes, lockets are great for small pictures of loved ones.
What a terrific night. So much to see, lively company to enjoy, fantastic music, dancing and nice weather. Sounds like heaven.
Greetje
If not heaven, then at least heavenly;-).
It looks like a fantastic day at the beach and who knew that the Netherlands could be so warm? Did you join the dancers?
I love the sunset, it’s one of my favourite time of the day, the light is so great especially for photography!
Not only did I join the dancers, but I was the DJ! It was a full house (although al fresco;-)) and a super fun day and evening!
Sunsets totally rock; they can be so spectacular! I love them too, Franca.