My mini autumn vacation, Day 1/3 [Oct 5]
Yay, I finally had time to take a longer break from work and I took a week off for a bit of a vacation. I arranged a short get-away to the same hotel in Haarlem that I had discovered in July. This time I treated myself to two nights (2!) in the Royal Suite which had a bathtub that promised a full immersion instead of the bottomsoaker experience I had in that design hammock bath last time;)
On my first day in Haarlem I also met up with sillie82 for some socially distanced fangirling. While we caught up on life and fandom, we explored the St. Bavo church (where we discovered Pillar Biters!:)
Haarlem in October: Day 1
Cycled to the station, parked my bike and got on the train with my mask and a book:)
The closer I got to Haarlem, the worse the weather got, but I came prepared and upon arrival I walked into a rainy town.
Despite the gray sky, Haarlem looked as pretty as in the Summer; so many great facades.
Testing the zoom on my new camera; from 8x to 12x, love the result!
Reminders to keep your distance all over town.
After a bit of shopping I walked to my hotel to quickly check in before going out again to meet up with S.
S. and me in front of Kenau's statue across from the trainstation. From here we walked straight to the city centre to find refuge and beauty in the St. Bavo Church.
This is the bottom part of the 18 m high stained-glass window called 'Vrede en Verdraagzaamheid' (Peace & Tolerance) by Michel van Overbeeke (2008). It symbolizes our world history and depicts creation from the persepective of different cultures.
The church of St. Bavo is built in the 14th century and it's massive! I love the ceiling so much.
So many gorgeous details all over.
There are 1500 graves underneath the floor of St. Bavo. The eldest ones date back to the 15th century.
The choir screen is decorated with a series of fascinating woodcuts.
There are many colourful stained-glass windows in varying styles and ages.
On one of the arches in the northern aisle there is a wall painting from 1480 showing eight floating angels against a blue heaven background with golden stars. Very cool.
Haven't been able to find out more about this black and white design on the wall.
Woodwork in the choir wall and on the floor the grave of painter Frans Hals.
Detail of a modern stained-glass window depicting paradise.
The Christian Müller organ has 5068 pipes and is 30 meters high; in 1766 ten year old Mozart played on it!
Figure in the Hondenslagerkapel (dogbutcher chapel); in the Middle Ages a dog butcher's job was to keep dogs out and to maintain order in the church.
Huge gold coloured chandelier.
Still not sure what this light sculpture by Dik Box is supposed to represent. It's titled 'Leave'.
When S. found a brochure depicting 'Pillar biters' on the choir screen, we went back to find them. This one looks more like it's kissing the pillar;)
But this Pillar biter really puts his teeth into it! It's a depiction of a fanatical believer; their devotions was mostly for appearances and did not spill into home or daily life.
It's still raining when we exit the church, but we spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through town, admiring the old buildings (how fancy does this McDonald's look in that turquoise building!) and visiting a couple of art supply shops:)
We have dinner at Jetties, a organic fast food restaurant. I have a mini(!) Jetties burger (with an omelet and bacon) and potato wedges; S. had a vegetarian junkfood burger with fries. Also recommended: lemon merengue pie, mmm.
After walking S. to the station, it is time for the full hotel experience, may I introduce to you: The Royal Suite \o/
I'll share photos of all the nooks and crannies later, first I'm gonna try that big bathtub:)
Staats Boutique Hotel; the Royal Suite covers the whole top floor exept the last window on the right.
There's a massive bathtub at the foot of the bed.
I brought my own salted caramel bubblebath (yes you read that correctly) and spend the evening soaking and reading in the tub.
Mmmmm. Goodnight:)
(To be continued...)
J.
X-posted from https://beelikej.dreamwidth.org/562633.html
On my first day in Haarlem I also met up with sillie82 for some socially distanced fangirling. While we caught up on life and fandom, we explored the St. Bavo church (where we discovered Pillar Biters!:)
Haarlem in October: Day 1
Cycled to the station, parked my bike and got on the train with my mask and a book:)
The closer I got to Haarlem, the worse the weather got, but I came prepared and upon arrival I walked into a rainy town.
Despite the gray sky, Haarlem looked as pretty as in the Summer; so many great facades.
Testing the zoom on my new camera; from 8x to 12x, love the result!
Reminders to keep your distance all over town.
After a bit of shopping I walked to my hotel to quickly check in before going out again to meet up with S.
S. and me in front of Kenau's statue across from the trainstation. From here we walked straight to the city centre to find refuge and beauty in the St. Bavo Church.
This is the bottom part of the 18 m high stained-glass window called 'Vrede en Verdraagzaamheid' (Peace & Tolerance) by Michel van Overbeeke (2008). It symbolizes our world history and depicts creation from the persepective of different cultures.
The church of St. Bavo is built in the 14th century and it's massive! I love the ceiling so much.
So many gorgeous details all over.
There are 1500 graves underneath the floor of St. Bavo. The eldest ones date back to the 15th century.
The choir screen is decorated with a series of fascinating woodcuts.
There are many colourful stained-glass windows in varying styles and ages.
On one of the arches in the northern aisle there is a wall painting from 1480 showing eight floating angels against a blue heaven background with golden stars. Very cool.
Haven't been able to find out more about this black and white design on the wall.
Woodwork in the choir wall and on the floor the grave of painter Frans Hals.
Detail of a modern stained-glass window depicting paradise.
The Christian Müller organ has 5068 pipes and is 30 meters high; in 1766 ten year old Mozart played on it!
Figure in the Hondenslagerkapel (dogbutcher chapel); in the Middle Ages a dog butcher's job was to keep dogs out and to maintain order in the church.
Huge gold coloured chandelier.
Still not sure what this light sculpture by Dik Box is supposed to represent. It's titled 'Leave'.
When S. found a brochure depicting 'Pillar biters' on the choir screen, we went back to find them. This one looks more like it's kissing the pillar;)
But this Pillar biter really puts his teeth into it! It's a depiction of a fanatical believer; their devotions was mostly for appearances and did not spill into home or daily life.
It's still raining when we exit the church, but we spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through town, admiring the old buildings (how fancy does this McDonald's look in that turquoise building!) and visiting a couple of art supply shops:)
We have dinner at Jetties, a organic fast food restaurant. I have a mini(!) Jetties burger (with an omelet and bacon) and potato wedges; S. had a vegetarian junkfood burger with fries. Also recommended: lemon merengue pie, mmm.
After walking S. to the station, it is time for the full hotel experience, may I introduce to you: The Royal Suite \o/
Click to viewI'll share photos of all the nooks and crannies later, first I'm gonna try that big bathtub:)
Staats Boutique Hotel; the Royal Suite covers the whole top floor exept the last window on the right.
There's a massive bathtub at the foot of the bed.
I brought my own salted caramel bubblebath (yes you read that correctly) and spend the evening soaking and reading in the tub.
Mmmmm. Goodnight:)
(To be continued...)
J.
X-posted from https://beelikej.dreamwidth.org/562633.html