Underground tunnel right outside the Eurostar Train Station, blue and white painting on tile like Delft and showing the power of taming seas- probably the most Dutch site I spotted in the city
Netherland spotting. The Netherlands is full of little symbols that are very characteristic of the country. I spotted many across the cities, and also altogether in a Dutch-themed chess set I stumbled across in a museum, with pieces shaped like the Damrak houses, windmills, churches, and even tulips. Dutch culture wears its heart on its sleeve—or, more accurately, on its buildings, shoes, and snacks
The Damrak houses in Amsterdam, also known as Dancing Houses, are those tilted, narrow buildings that lean on each other, seemingly dancing or tipsy. They've somehow managed to stand for centuries, despite being built on shaky, swampy ground
Then there are the windmills—true Dutch royalty. You can still visit some of the originals, like Molen de Valk in Leiden. It’s an 18th-century windmill where you can walk all the way to the top and get a peek into how things worked before electricity was a thing
You’ll also come across plenty of church spires topped with crosses, a reminder that the Netherlands has deep Christian roots—even if it’s one of the more secular countries today. Tulips are the national flower of the Netherlands. You’ll see them in fields, parks, postcards, fridge magnets, and even printed on socks
Chess set find in the Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Lost&found in the Amstel river and canals in Amsterdam. Amsterdam hasn’t always looked like the postcard-perfect city we see today. What used to be swampy land was slowly transformed—thanks to some impressive engineering—into a web of canals that turned the marshes into a thriving city
As I was riding through the waters, I noticed cranes pulling out items from the water- the most common thing being pulled out of the canals was—bicycles. I was told that some get knocked in by strong winds (Dutch weather does not play), while others, particularly older models, end up there on purpose
And it’s not just bikes. On occasion, entire cars have been fished out—including a vintage one, once upon a time. So if you see a giant crane hauling something out of the canal during your ride, don’t worry—it’s just business as usual.
My poor attempt at capturing the ‘Reguliersgracht view’, view of the seven bridges aligning on the canals
Leiden university’s ‘Bin your Butt’
As you’re walking through the University town of Leiden, you will notice these little pods around town. By installing specially designed cigarette disposal bins that pose playful questions—such as "Coffee or tea?", "Taylor Swift or Greta Gutenberg?", "Pineapple on pizza, yes/no?"—the university encourages smokers to dispose of their cigarette butts responsibly while participating in lighthearted polls. Cigarette butts constituted around 30% of all litter, and the university would spend millions of euros to clean them up every year. Ingenious!
Ripley’s life ‘an acquisition of rare experiences’
I grew up watching Ripley’s Believe It or Not! on a TV channel called AXN (this was before the era of OTT and when people actually used cable) and remember being fascinated. I assumed it was all scripted and dramatized until I went to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Amsterdam and learned about Mr. Robert Ripley. A cartoonist and sports journalist by profession, he traveled around the world and began collecting outlandish facts and unbelievable stories he heard or saw. These collections of stories and artifacts have been compiled in Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museums around the world. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the obscurity of the world, and a very, very fun experience.
The Tulip flower, introduced to the Netherlands by the Ottoman rulers of Central Asia, has long been cherished in the country. But was it loved too much?
In the 16th century, the Netherlands experienced Tulip Mania, a period where tulips were valued at prices higher than gold and traded on the Dutch Stock Exchange. While tulips are no longer a rare commodity, they remain a beloved symbol of the Netherlands, and are found in abundance across the country.
If you're planning a visit, the Keukenhof Gardens during the Tulip Festival is a must-see destination, showcasing displays of tulips in all their vibrant varieties. For a deeper dive into the history of tulips in Dutch culture, don’t miss the Tulip Museum in Amsterdam. A visit to the Tulip Museum wouldn’t be complete without stopping by their shop, where you can find beautiful Tulip-inspired handicrafts (Embroidered Tulips, Tulip napkins and platewear, Tulip cutlery and even Tulip themed playign cards and chess board!) as well as actual tulip bulbs and plants to take a piece of Dutch history home with you
#My Girl with the Pearl Earring. Referred to as the Mona Lisa of the North, the most famous painting by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring, exudes a sense of simplicity with deep emotion
The painting features no colorful backdrops or props, only a girl with a soft, enigmatic expression, whose identity, origins, or emotions remain a mystery. She is dressed in what appears to be a Middle Eastern drape and headgear, suggesting a religious or cultural upbringing, and wears a pearl that could symbolize either her wealth or aspirations - it spoke to me in some unexplainable way
Girl with a Pearl Earring has inspired countless recreations, such as the 1999 book by Tracy Chevalier, and the 2003 film starring Scarlett Johansson. More recently, the Mauritshuis Museum, where the painting resides in The Hague, launched the 2024 campaign ‘#mygirlwithapearl’. This initiative invites people to create their own interpretations of the iconic painting, showcasing various creative submissions, including multi-racial and differently-abled versions of the girl. The museum proudly displays these reinterpretations, highlighting the diversity and creativity of contributors from around the world
A piece of Dutch history in Delft
Tucked between Rotterdam and The Hague, Delft is an easy, worthwhile stop by train—small, scenic, and full of charm. One of its biggest highlights is the Royal Delft Factory, the original 17th-century workshop where the iconic blue-and-white Delftware was born
These beautiful ceramics were initially inspired by the blue-and-white porcelain of China’s Ming dynasty. The Dutch East India Company began importing vast quantities of these porcelain pieces until the fall of the Ming dynasty, which cut off the supply. That’s when Delft stepped in to fill the gap, and their locally made version became iconic in its own right
If you’re up for something hands-on, you can even join a ceramic workshop—some available through Airbnb Experiences—where you can paint your own little tile, plate, or vase
Dutch East India company. Growing up in India, colonial history is just part of your education—probably because it shaped so much of our past. One of the first colonial powers I ever read about was the Dutch East India Company, and walking around Amsterdam, I could relate to old history lessons. Right in the heart of the city stands the Beurs van Berlage—the world’s very first stock exchange. This striking red-brick building was once the hub of global trade, built during the height of Dutch commercial power, much of which was driven by the Dutch East India Company’s exploits across Asia, including India
The area around it is still called Beursplein, or "Exchange Square," and while the trading floor isn’t active anymore (since trading moved to Euronext, the European stock exchange), parts of it have been preserved. You can still step inside and imagine what it must’ve been like when fortunes were made—or lost—on spices, silk, and ship routes
Palace of Royalty Peace in the Hague. You can truly see the unity across countries depicted in the Peace Palace, with its Eternal Peace Flame surrounded by stones from 190+ countries
Home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Peace Palace is a symbol of global cooperation. The building itself features marbles from Italy, wood from Brazil, stones from Belgium, carpets from Iran, and gifts from nations. It’s one of those rare places where architecture and artifacts and spirit are perfectly in sync
Cabinet of curiosities at Rembrandt house. Walking around Rembrandt’s House, you’ll see a room full of exotic, rare, and intriguing objects—masks from Africa, Japanese paper, Mughal paintings, Roman busts, and other fascinating items
It reminded me so much of my own house, filled with collectibles from my travels and souvenirs I’ve picked up from various cities. What set Rembrandt’s room of curiosity apart from mine, though, is that his diverse visual library was created without him ever leaving the Netherlands! These influences were brought to him by visitors, admirers of his work, and patrons. He was able to experience all of life based purely on observation and dialogue, which drove his creative exploration
Rembrandt’s house of artefacts, Rembrandt Museum, Amsterdam
Shelter, Food & Clothing. Some of Maslow’s basic needs can feel like a bit of a challenge in Amsterdam. Housing, for instance, is tricky—land is limited, demand is high, and traditional spaces are often compact or pricey. That said, the city is nothing if not creative. One of the more unique (and surprisingly cozy) options is the houseboats—many of which have been converted into charming Airbnbs. Waking up to a canal view with ducks swimming past your window is hard to beat
Food in Amsterdam has its quirks. The Dutch love their potatoes, and you’ll find them served in all shapes and forms—with toppings that range from mayo to peanut sauce to everything in between (and yes, Heineken and Unilever are both Dutch brands!). Definitely worth trying at least once
Stroopwafels—those gooey caramel-filled waffle cookies—are another local favorite that double as dessert and snack. But if you’re someone like me, who grew up in Asia and craves a bit of spice and depth in food, Dutch cuisine can feel a bit... underwhelming
That’s when I turned to some reliable Indian comfort food. Madras Diaries is a great spot for South Indian flavors, and Miri Mary brings a modern Indian twist with a stylish setting. A somewhat lifesaver after days of bread and cheese
As for clothing and shopping, Scotch & Soda is a standout local brand—and their flagship stores in the city are worth browsing even if you’re not in buying mode. And of course, one cannot leave the Netherlands without spotting (or trying on) a pair of wooden clogs, or klompen. Once everyday workwear for farmers and craftsmen to brave through the mud and swamp, they’ve become a national symbol today—available in all sorts of colors, patterns, and souvenir-shop glory
Yet to find a good display mechanism for Clogs, do I hang shoes on the wall?
Closing reflection: There is more to see in Netherlands even outside of Amsterdam, make sure you do not miss, its equally magical if not all shroomy
