More Netherland Adventures

Today's travels led us a little deeper into The Netherlands. We travelled a few minutes south of Voorburg (specifically where Dustin and Amanda's house is) to Delft where they are most famous for the Royal Delft Ceramics Factory and the church that houses the crypts of the entire royal family of The Netherlands as well as the mausoleum of William of Orange who freed the Dutch from the Spaniards back in the day. :)

The New Church holds the remains of hundreds of important members of Dutch society in the floor of the chancel, but most notably the remains of William of Orange and all of the past Dutch royal family in the crypt that can only be accessed through a huge, sealed stone door in the floor at the front of the chancel.

The Royal Delft Ceramics Factory creates very nice (and VERY expensive) ceramic plates, bowls, vases, etc. Included in the tour were some of the old pieces on display as well as some of the artisans displaying their talents. Our guide was wonderful and gave us a great look at all the ins and outs of making these ceramic masterpieces.

Following a brief lunch at McDonald's (it actually served us fountain drinks with more than two cubes of ice!) we made the trip Northeast to the Westerbork Kamp. This was a concentration camp that was the temporary home (only a week for most) to some 110,000 Jews, Gypsies, and Resistance Fighters. This camp's primary purpose was propaganda for the Nazi party. It was the only facility to be filmed during operation, so they put their best face forward showing outdoor games being played, wood working, variety shows, and schooling for youngsters. They even boasted a wonderful hospital facility for its "residents." Turns out, it was more of a clearing house for incoming - and then outgoing - prisoners. All but 300 of the prisoners were sent to Auschwitz never to return. Those remaining 300 were left to destroy the camp after the last train-load of prisoners left for Auschwitz... Westerbork was liberated shortly thereafter.

Westerbork is not what you would typically think of having been mostly demolished in the 1970's. The only remnants of the old camp were the raised foundations of the former buildings, a latrine, some partial building structures and a portion of the railroad leading into and out of the camp - which has since been made into a national monument. There were some giant radio telescopes erected on site before the decision was made to make this into a historical site.

Today was a little sobering, but nonetheless we are having a blast! Come back tomorrow and check to see where we go next!

Brett and Beth



The Mausoleum of William of Orange


Artisans at Royal Delft


Latrines at Westerbork


Remaining rails at Westerbork


Beth standing in front of one of Holland's most famous icons