After a month in Germany, things are mostly settled and I can start thinking about making weekend trips to visit some good friends. The Netherlands were an obvious choice, because I have a buddy who would put together memorable journeys for each of my last 3 visits. This time there is an extra reason: to visit a city called Utrecht where he and his girlfriend moved to several months ago.
來到德國已一個月，趁週末有空短途外遊一下，探探好友。荷蘭我以前已到過三次了，每次荷蘭好友都會悉心安排行程，這次適逢他搬家到烏德勒支（Utrecht）幾個月，我也因利成便可以到訪荷蘭又一個新地方。
After an overnight train trip (arriving on 8th June), I took a brief pause at my buddy’s place before he and his girlfriend took me on a tour of the city, starting from the canal near their place. They asked me to guess why many drivers would lower the car windows as they drove past the row of houses along that stretch of the canal. It turns out that it was a red light district (which is legal in the Netherlands) and many people were obviously quite curious. But apparently the road was also an accident black spot due to many distracted drivers, especially before a turn-around point was installed at the end of that cul-de-sac!
坐了一夜火車後（6月8日到達），在荷蘭好友家安頓一下，然後他和女友便先帶我到其家附近的運河逛逛。運河沿岸有一列樓房，兩位導遊叫我猜猜為甚麼凡有車駛過，車窗都會打開？原來那裡是紅燈區（在荷蘭是合法的），很多人都會貪有趣飽一下眼福，不過據說從前該路未設置掉頭處時，因為很多司機都會分心而引起意外！
A canal of distraction
令人分心的水道
Normal residences on water
水上人家
A bridge with an interesting design
設計獨特的橋
The highlight of the day was climbing the Domtoren (Dom Tower, or Church Tower), which is the highest point in Utrecht as well as the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. According to the tour guide of the Dom Tower, the tower was originally joined to a church, but after the destruction of the nave in 1648 by a hurricane, the ruins were finally totally cleared away in the 19th century. Since then the tower became separated from the rest of the church by a square (Domplein) and a road, but the local government has now launched an ambitious project to restore the original construction! The viewing gallery, at 95 m, offered a comprehensive view of Utrecht, and on such a clear day even Amsterdam (some 40 km away) and perhaps Rotterdam were visible. It really underscores how flat the Netherlands is!
當日的重點是要登上市內的最高點，亦是全荷蘭最高的鐘樓，鐘樓的導遊介紹說，那座鐘樓本來與一家教堂相連，但1648年教堂中殿受龍捲風摧毀後，待19世紀當局才決定全面拆卸，自次鐘樓便和教堂其他部分便被一個廣場（Domplein）和馬路分隔，但該市正策劃按當年規格把中殿復修，重展教堂古貌！在95米高的觀景層，全烏德勒支市盡收眼底，而由於天朗氣清，甚至40多公里外的阿姆斯特丹和更遠的鹿特丹也看得到，可見荷蘭地勢有多平坦！
Different views of the Domtoren 鐘樓在城內顯而易見
One of the middle levels of the tower
鐘樓中間的其中一層
The bells at the top of the tower
鐘樓頂部的鐘
The area near the Utrecht Central Station (top) and the Oudegracht (Old Canal, right)
烏德勒支火車總站一帶（上）和舊運河一帶（右）
The separation between the tower and the church becomes clear from the top
教堂和鐘樓的分隔，在高空看得一清二楚
As far as the eyes can see - and possibly as far as the Netherlands stretches!
一望無際——不祇是烏德勒支，甚至可能是全荷蘭！
Speaking of restoration, my Dutchie buddy told me that another major projection in Utrecht is the unearthing of a canal which was buried by roads many years ago. This coupled with the works at the Central Station mean lots of traffic diversions in the city centre – and diversions that change all the time!
說到復修，荷蘭好友說市內有另一大工程，便是令原已埋沒的一道古運河重見天日，再加上火車總站也進行工程，所以市中心不少地方有交通改道，而且會不斷改動。
We also went for a walk along the Oudegracht (Old Canal) and the nearby neighbourhoods before and after climbing the Domtoren. Along the canal there was a terrace level where the shops and roads were located, and a waterside level which restaurants, cafés and even yoga classes happily make use of! It wasn’t only the roads and shops which were filled with people, but also the canal where people were getting into the flow (quite literally) in all sorts of vessels. Everyone was able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the canal in their own ways.
登鐘樓前後，我們三人在貫穿市中心的舊運河（Oudegracht）及附近一帶閒逛，運河最大的特色，是沿河的道路分成兩層，一層接近河面，一層較高，較高那層主要是商店和馬路，河面那層很多地方就給食肆擺了露天座席，甚至瑜珈班也可在河畔舉行！沿河的道路固然熙攘，但運河中各式小艇和觀光船也川流不息，自已划艇的也不少，看來大家都很享受運河悠閒的氣息啊。
Sint-Augustinuskerk (St. Augustine Church) by the Oudegracht
舊運河畔的聖奧古斯丁教堂
The city hall (Stadhuis) and nearby shops
市政廳和附近的商店
Sculptures as pillars
以雕塑作支柱
Hanengeschrei, the shortest street in Utrecht and place for a popular café
全市最短的街Hanengeschrei，亦是喝茶的好地點
Zwaansteeg, the narrowest alley in Utrecht. Utrecht is filled with many small alleys.
全市最狹的橫巷Zwaansteeg，市內還有不少類似的小巷
Enjoying the peace and quiet near the old De Boog brewery (right) and the junction of Oudegracht and Vecht (below)
運河畔的寧靜：舊De Boog啤酒廠附近（右）和Oudegracht與Vecht兩條運河的交界（下）
Enjoying a dinner by the canal, watching boats and waterfowls pass by
在運河畔一邊看著來往的船隻和水鳥，一邊享用晚餐
No visit to the Netherlands is complete without at least a glimpse of a windmill!
沒看過風車，怎算到過荷蘭？
The next day it was our turn for some canoeing. My hosts drove to a river slightly out of town, hired a 3-person canoe and slowly drifted off into the idyllic countryside. Along the way we passed under several bridges, and greeted coming rowers and waterfowls in the water as well as plenty of those jogging and strolling along the river. Our destination was a restaurant serving Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken), where we were there we parked our canoe and enjoyed a hearty traditional lunch for an hour before turning back. What a pity I didn’t take any photos because I decided that it wasn’t worth the risk of drowning my camera!
第二天輪到我們三人划艇了，好友帶我都離市中心遠一點的地方，租了一艘三人獨木舟，沿著河道，穿過一個個橋底，跟迎面而來的人和水鳥逐一打招呼後，不經不覺慢慢游離繁囂，來到郊外一家吃荷蘭薄餅（Pannenkoeken）的館子，泊好獨木舟後，慢慢享受一頓地道午餐，然後回程。看來荷蘭人挺喜歡水上運動或畔水而行，不論是划著不同種類的艇或沿著河畔散步或跑步的人可不少。可惜為免出甚麼意外，我並沒有帶同照相機，不然把行程拍下來留念有多好！
After canoeing we visited the Utrechtse Botanische Tuinen (Utrecht Botanical Gardens). Flowers were blooming everywhere inside, but the most eye-catching colour was violet and the multiple shades of it. Nature was showing its marvels again there. I’ve uploaded the photos of many of those flowers in this online album.
划艇後我們一同前往烏德勒支植物公園參觀，園內到處都開滿了花，但似乎紫色的花特別多，而且顏色呈現多種層次，又紫中偏紅至紫中偏藍都有，大自然再次展現其奧妙，我把這些花的照片收錄在這個網上相簿。
Of course the Botanical Gardens also had flowers of other colours if you don't like violet!
不喜歡紫色，花園內的花還有其他顏色選擇！
The Botanical Gardens are also home to some adorable animals!
除了植物，園內也有可愛的動物！
Two days passed by quickly but have once again left me with a memorable impression on the Netherlands. It amazed me how I could keep discovering new things in such a small country, and I wonder what I will see the next time I visit there!
兩天過得很快，但也很充實，荷蘭國土雖然不大，但每次都看到不同的風貌，不知下一次看到的會是甚麼？
來到德國已一個月，趁週末有空短途外遊一下，探探好友。荷蘭我以前已到過三次了，每次荷蘭好友都會悉心安排行程，這次適逢他搬家到烏德勒支（Utrecht）幾個月，我也因利成便可以到訪荷蘭又一個新地方。
After an overnight train trip (arriving on 8th June), I took a brief pause at my buddy’s place before he and his girlfriend took me on a tour of the city, starting from the canal near their place. They asked me to guess why many drivers would lower the car windows as they drove past the row of houses along that stretch of the canal. It turns out that it was a red light district (which is legal in the Netherlands) and many people were obviously quite curious. But apparently the road was also an accident black spot due to many distracted drivers, especially before a turn-around point was installed at the end of that cul-de-sac!
坐了一夜火車後（6月8日到達），在荷蘭好友家安頓一下，然後他和女友便先帶我到其家附近的運河逛逛。運河沿岸有一列樓房，兩位導遊叫我猜猜為甚麼凡有車駛過，車窗都會打開？原來那裡是紅燈區（在荷蘭是合法的），很多人都會貪有趣飽一下眼福，不過據說從前該路未設置掉頭處時，因為很多司機都會分心而引起意外！
A canal of distraction
令人分心的水道
Normal residences on water
水上人家
A bridge with an interesting design
設計獨特的橋
The highlight of the day was climbing the Domtoren (Dom Tower, or Church Tower), which is the highest point in Utrecht as well as the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. According to the tour guide of the Dom Tower, the tower was originally joined to a church, but after the destruction of the nave in 1648 by a hurricane, the ruins were finally totally cleared away in the 19th century. Since then the tower became separated from the rest of the church by a square (Domplein) and a road, but the local government has now launched an ambitious project to restore the original construction! The viewing gallery, at 95 m, offered a comprehensive view of Utrecht, and on such a clear day even Amsterdam (some 40 km away) and perhaps Rotterdam were visible. It really underscores how flat the Netherlands is!
當日的重點是要登上市內的最高點，亦是全荷蘭最高的鐘樓，鐘樓的導遊介紹說，那座鐘樓本來與一家教堂相連，但1648年教堂中殿受龍捲風摧毀後，待19世紀當局才決定全面拆卸，自次鐘樓便和教堂其他部分便被一個廣場（Domplein）和馬路分隔，但該市正策劃按當年規格把中殿復修，重展教堂古貌！在95米高的觀景層，全烏德勒支市盡收眼底，而由於天朗氣清，甚至40多公里外的阿姆斯特丹和更遠的鹿特丹也看得到，可見荷蘭地勢有多平坦！
Different views of the Domtoren 鐘樓在城內顯而易見
One of the middle levels of the tower
鐘樓中間的其中一層
The bells at the top of the tower
鐘樓頂部的鐘
The area near the Utrecht Central Station (top) and the Oudegracht (Old Canal, right)
烏德勒支火車總站一帶（上）和舊運河一帶（右）
The separation between the tower and the church becomes clear from the top
教堂和鐘樓的分隔，在高空看得一清二楚
As far as the eyes can see - and possibly as far as the Netherlands stretches!
一望無際——不祇是烏德勒支，甚至可能是全荷蘭！
Speaking of restoration, my Dutchie buddy told me that another major projection in Utrecht is the unearthing of a canal which was buried by roads many years ago. This coupled with the works at the Central Station mean lots of traffic diversions in the city centre – and diversions that change all the time!
說到復修，荷蘭好友說市內有另一大工程，便是令原已埋沒的一道古運河重見天日，再加上火車總站也進行工程，所以市中心不少地方有交通改道，而且會不斷改動。
We also went for a walk along the Oudegracht (Old Canal) and the nearby neighbourhoods before and after climbing the Domtoren. Along the canal there was a terrace level where the shops and roads were located, and a waterside level which restaurants, cafés and even yoga classes happily make use of! It wasn’t only the roads and shops which were filled with people, but also the canal where people were getting into the flow (quite literally) in all sorts of vessels. Everyone was able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the canal in their own ways.
登鐘樓前後，我們三人在貫穿市中心的舊運河（Oudegracht）及附近一帶閒逛，運河最大的特色，是沿河的道路分成兩層，一層接近河面，一層較高，較高那層主要是商店和馬路，河面那層很多地方就給食肆擺了露天座席，甚至瑜珈班也可在河畔舉行！沿河的道路固然熙攘，但運河中各式小艇和觀光船也川流不息，自已划艇的也不少，看來大家都很享受運河悠閒的氣息啊。
Sint-Augustinuskerk (St. Augustine Church) by the Oudegracht
舊運河畔的聖奧古斯丁教堂
The city hall (Stadhuis) and nearby shops
市政廳和附近的商店
Sculptures as pillars
以雕塑作支柱
Hanengeschrei, the shortest street in Utrecht and place for a popular café
全市最短的街Hanengeschrei，亦是喝茶的好地點
Zwaansteeg, the narrowest alley in Utrecht. Utrecht is filled with many small alleys.
全市最狹的橫巷Zwaansteeg，市內還有不少類似的小巷
Enjoying the peace and quiet near the old De Boog brewery (right) and the junction of Oudegracht and Vecht (below)
運河畔的寧靜：舊De Boog啤酒廠附近（右）和Oudegracht與Vecht兩條運河的交界（下）
Enjoying a dinner by the canal, watching boats and waterfowls pass by
在運河畔一邊看著來往的船隻和水鳥，一邊享用晚餐
No visit to the Netherlands is complete without at least a glimpse of a windmill!
沒看過風車，怎算到過荷蘭？
The next day it was our turn for some canoeing. My hosts drove to a river slightly out of town, hired a 3-person canoe and slowly drifted off into the idyllic countryside. Along the way we passed under several bridges, and greeted coming rowers and waterfowls in the water as well as plenty of those jogging and strolling along the river. Our destination was a restaurant serving Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken), where we were there we parked our canoe and enjoyed a hearty traditional lunch for an hour before turning back. What a pity I didn’t take any photos because I decided that it wasn’t worth the risk of drowning my camera!
第二天輪到我們三人划艇了，好友帶我都離市中心遠一點的地方，租了一艘三人獨木舟，沿著河道，穿過一個個橋底，跟迎面而來的人和水鳥逐一打招呼後，不經不覺慢慢游離繁囂，來到郊外一家吃荷蘭薄餅（Pannenkoeken）的館子，泊好獨木舟後，慢慢享受一頓地道午餐，然後回程。看來荷蘭人挺喜歡水上運動或畔水而行，不論是划著不同種類的艇或沿著河畔散步或跑步的人可不少。可惜為免出甚麼意外，我並沒有帶同照相機，不然把行程拍下來留念有多好！
After canoeing we visited the Utrechtse Botanische Tuinen (Utrecht Botanical Gardens). Flowers were blooming everywhere inside, but the most eye-catching colour was violet and the multiple shades of it. Nature was showing its marvels again there. I’ve uploaded the photos of many of those flowers in this online album.
划艇後我們一同前往烏德勒支植物公園參觀，園內到處都開滿了花，但似乎紫色的花特別多，而且顏色呈現多種層次，又紫中偏紅至紫中偏藍都有，大自然再次展現其奧妙，我把這些花的照片收錄在這個網上相簿。
Of course the Botanical Gardens also had flowers of other colours if you don't like violet!
不喜歡紫色，花園內的花還有其他顏色選擇！
The Botanical Gardens are also home to some adorable animals!
除了植物，園內也有可愛的動物！
Two days passed by quickly but have once again left me with a memorable impression on the Netherlands. It amazed me how I could keep discovering new things in such a small country, and I wonder what I will see the next time I visit there!
兩天過得很快，但也很充實，荷蘭國土雖然不大，但每次都看到不同的風貌，不知下一次看到的會是甚麼？
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