# Tag 3 Tulips in Amsterdam

Tuesday morning with sunshine in southern East Frisia ... you have to move first. The Ems Barrier is in sight, so just a short walk. Well, if it wasn't for the wind...

So the walk is definitely more difficult than expected. But without any other human soul. That will certainly be different when a ship transfer takes place here. Our thoughts revolve around the sense and nonsense of this structure.

On the way back, the view of the small harbor of Ditzum is tempting, where the fish shop is open again today. The detour must be made and it is worth it. A nice bag of fish with shrimps and smoked fish goes into the motorhome and will surely satisfy our hunger in the evening.

But a few more kilometers have to be covered until then.

In North Holland, the region around Alkmaar is tempting, where the one or other handball team trip has already made it. The region has a great charm, the coast and beaches are amazing and Alkmaar is always worth a visit.

The destination of the trip is the campsite 'de Kolibrie', where one or the other person from Bremen has already set up their tents. We are first-time offenders.

Finding a suitable location is difficult. Not too close to the goat enclosure, the sun exposure should be right, not too far from the toilet house, but also not too close, something wind-protected would be nice, is there also a power connection nearby...

We are not relaxed yet!

The place is so big and still completely empty. The season only starts on April 1st and the sun is really making an effort today. So first of all, get out the camping chairs and have a little welcome drink to arrival in Holland.

The next morning we go to Alkmaar by bike. A magnificent cycle path leads directly to the city along the canal. You can't miss the path if you always stay by the water. The bike path is really wide and can be recognized as such on both sides with red asphalt. In the middle of the road, a car can also drive, but in oncoming traffic, it has to give way to the cyclists. Frau Schaefer would be thrilled...

It is well known that you cycle a lot in Holland. But when you are in the midst of it, you only see bikes. Every road and every connection is open for bikes. The 'fietsen' are the means of transport par excellence. And at every shop or at the central squares, there are bicycle stands and racks for locking up. They are all used in the old town and we have trouble finding a free stand.

In the old town with its narrow streets, strolling is called for. And somehow the city has already laid its traps for us. You can stroll along the canals and grachten, the outdoor gastronomy is already well attended, the old houses with their typical Dutch gables are numerous.

When our feet are getting tired and a sharp thirst arises, a place in front of the restaurant 'de Koning' is quickly found.

Then it's also time, we still want to go to the sea. That's the purpose of the trip - to follow the coastline. So back to the bikes, readjust the orientation (with the support of this little device in the pocket that can do everything) and off we go to Bergen aan Zee.

The road leads directly through 'Noordhollands Duinreservaat', behind the city of Bergen, where you feel reminded of coastal areas in France and Portugal. Extensive pine and oak forests, untouched dune landscape, and at the end of the road, the seaside resort Bergen aan Zee.

The beaches are wide and sandy, a promenade along the coastline offers gastronomic establishments, and there are also bars and restaurants directly on the beach.

I wonder what it looks like here in the high season. Are there beach chairs in Holland? Or does everyone bring their own umbrella and beach tent. Does the municipality provide sun loungers or is everyone left to their own devices? Otherwise, the beach is so generous that you can easily spend time walking from one place to another.

The 'Hemingways' at the beach access somehow looks familiar to me. Wasn't there once a team trip.... After an hour on the terrace, my face is already turning red, maybe we should rather go back.

Tomorrow we will continue south. Maybe we will stay in Holland. It depends on the area and the impressions. We don't have a fixed destination and will let ourselves drift. I'm curious to see where we end up.