Triangle. The Hague.

It was many years ago when I visited Amsterdam for the first and the last time. So, I would like to refresh my memories and to see the canals, narrow streets and Van Gogh inheritance again. Unfortunately, the hotels rates are like Boeing wing there. And I came up with the idea to stay not only in Amsterdam, but also in other cities of the Netherlands.

My first city is the Hague. The Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands. It is home to the Dutch royal family’s working palace. And many international organizations are based here. For example, it hosts the International Court of Justice and many embassies.

I should mention, that trains in the Netherlands are fast, clean, and easy to use, with frequent connections between major cities. So, from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you can take a direct train to The Hague in about 35 minutes.

The Hague features a mix of historic and modern architecture. Modern skyscrapers rise near classic Dutch townhouses from the 17th century here. 

But before exploring the city I have to check-in to the hotel Ibis, located very close to the Binnenhof, the parliament complex.

My hotel is housed in a historic building designed by the renowned Dutch architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage. Constructed in the 1890s, this building showcases Berlage's distinctive architectural style, characterized by robust brickwork and geometric forms. I was astonished by the look of the hotel itself, but most of all I loved the grand view through a big window of my room.

The city has the canals, so many bicycles and very cozy streets with summer cafes. A very relaxed atmosphere today. It feels like Amsterdam already.

 

The weather is perfect for walking. Around four kilometers from the city centre, and I am already can feel the breeze from the North sea. The Scheveningen Beach is the most famous beach district in The Hague. Many local people are sunbathing, making promenade here or even swimming in the cold waters.

It was a very walkable day today. I have made almost 30 thousand steps! Tired, but happy. And tomorrow I set off to another remarkable city of the Netherlands.

Karlovy Vary, Birthday

Happy birthday to me! At the hotel they prepared for me a small birthday cake. It was so nice of them. Anyways, I am going to continue this special day at swimming pool, with some spa procedures and of course eating good food and drinking good wine during the day.

I am one year older today, and maybe mineral water will help me stay younger. So, I have visited many springs in the city and tried the most suitable water for my health.

Another dessert in the emblematic café Elephant. So much sugar in one day, but I have a real excuse for that :)

Changing the clothes for another outing and food experience...

Oysters and champagne at my favourite restaurant in Karlovy Vary.

Absolutely satisfied by the time I have spent today, I am slowly walking back to the hotel, where another dinner is already waiting for me.

The Baltic, The Remarkable Date

I woke up late in the morning. Miraculously, the weather was absolutely perfect in spite of the yesterday's storm.

Traditionally, I went to the beach to enjoy the magnificent sea view and the hot sand.

Actually, I have no special plans for today. I simply decided to be lazy and to spend this wonderful time strolling around the city and walking up and down the promenade digesting all the impressions I have received for the last two days.

Meanwhile, today is a special date in my calendar. In fact, it is my birthday. Honestly, I feel absolutely fine being alone even on this unusual day.

Nevertheless, my pleasure was to have met the amazing girls, who became a good company for my little celebration. We have talked a lot and we have drunken wine, not less. It was a real fun. 

After all, the Baltic sea presented to me the grains of amber, which I gratefully took home. I hope, it will bring some happiness and good luck for the next year of my life.

The Baltic, Sand Reservation

The hotel, where I am staying, is quite small and very cozy. In general, they name such place as a family-run hotel. Usually it is not crowded by the numerous tourists and the service is exceptionally warm.

The breakfast, served at my hotel, is diverse and very delicious. And, what is more important, they offer the freshly grounded coffee. It is a very good start of the day, indeed.

Looking out of the window I detected the dark clouds hovering over the sea. And the forecast was not comforting neither. So, I was tempted to spend some hours in the bed. However, I found some strength to go to the beach for taking sunbath, because after all I am at the beach resort. I also tried to calm myself with the fact that the tan is much healthier in the cloudy weather.

There is almost nobody on the beach, but I am happy to place myself in this solitude and to get some relaxation.

Eventually, I got up some courage and tried to step into the water of the Baltic sea. Still, it was extremely cold, and my braveness was not enough to take even a single dip.

The weather is very changeable on the seashore. So, very soon the sky was cleared of the heavy clouds and I continued my strolling along the picturesque promenade.

For today I have planned an excursion to the unique national park called The Curonian Spit, which is located nearby. Usually the excursion from Zelenogradsk takes about 5 hours with a big group, but I did not want to spend so much time, because I thought it would be quite boring and tiresome for me. So, I decided to hire a taxi driver, who would deliver me from one place to another.

In general, this reservation is the longest sand spit in the world, and with the length of 98 kilometers it has the width from 350 meters to 3.8 kilometers. In fact, the spit body is coated with a thin topsoil, which is extremely essential for strengthening the sands. Without the forests this place would disappear, and this could happen if in the middle of the 19th century people had not started planting the pine trees.

So, the charm of the peninsula lies in its unique and varied landscape, which still inspires many poets and artists. In this way the remarkable sights here are natural. However, due to the limit of time I have visited only a few of them, which were recommended to me by the inhabitants.

We have started with the Mueller Height, which is the highest point of the Bolotnaya dune located near Rybachi village. To the height leads a pictorial 2 kilometers route, which is surrounded by the old fir trees. At the end of the path I found a viewing platform located at an altitude of 44.4 meters above sea level. From that viewing point a beautiful panorama and the views of the Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon opened before my eyes.

The next point of destination was the Epha's Height, which is located in the 42 kilometer of the spit. The route of 2.8 kilometers goes along the border of two types of dunes. The first type of dune is open, and it continues to move in the direction of the Curonian Lagoon, but the second one is green, and it fixed by the forest plantings. This route is the real jewel of the peninsula, and its majestic sandy mountains can amaze even a sophisticated tourist.

While standing on one of the wooden platforms you have a feeling of standing in the middle of the real desert. And this is inimitable experience.

Unfortunately, it is not allowed to go off the path, because you may trigger the sands movement, and all this beauty may vanish very quickly.

However, on the opposite side of the peninsula, where the view to the Baltic sea is opening, you are able to walk freely in the same white sand. Never before had I seen such a beautiful beach.

Regrettably, my time was running out and I had to go further.

Now we are in the "Dancing Forest". The famous place is supposed to surprise the visitors by the bizarrely twisted, inclined and curved in zigzags pine trees. Still, it has not surprised me that much, because I have already seen this type of "anomalous" phenomenon even in my home city of Novosibirsk. However, another inexperienced visitor would be amazed by this nature's wonder.

I should admit, that my idea of hiring a taxi driver was not the best option, because it turned out to be the costly venture. The trip should last minimum 3 hours because of the long distances, but for more or less comfortable experience you may need up to 6 hours. So, I paid 2800 rubles for my "quick" private trip, but at the same time the regular group excursion with more experienced guide would cost me only 1200 rubles. Nevertheless, I was absolutely satisfied with that aesthetic pleasure, which I took while observing the outstanding sights.

The next excursion happened unintentionally and it was performed by my new acquaintance from Kaliningrad. After the quick supper I headed for the bus station and took a minibus to the region's capital, which is located only 35 kilometres away from Zelenogradsk.

Well, the former name of Kaliningrad is Königsberg. The city was severely damaged during the second world war. One thing, which could not be destroyed while bombing, is the cobbled streets. At present, the citizens are really proud of having this stones in the streets, and they start protesting each time when the local government tries to get rid of it.  

Not many buildings have survived from the time of the old city of Königsberg, but even those a few houses are considered to be the best ones. The local people love to say that nowadays we lost the art of building, so we should keep what was left.

The Kaliningrad Cathedral is the most significant preserved building of the former City of Königsberg. Another remarkable sight is also located next to the Cathedral, where you can find the tomb of the famous German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

In fact, it was a very quick introduction of the city. Still, I have the common idea of the city now, and I would like to come here again.

I returned home late at night. And I could not fell asleep for a long time, because it was the eventful day, and the emotions were overwhelming me. In the meantime, the storm started raving and the rain drops began tapping the roof melodically.

I was dropping off with the thought that tomorrow morning the lavish sea will spill amber, which I will be able to collect and bring home.