Going to a Dutch ice skating rink is somewhat of an adventure for the casual American ice skater…read more The average Californian has gone out ice skating maybe once a year, in a public rink, on skates roughly akin to European figure skates. In the Netherlands, the average ice skater has gone to the local outdoor rink, or pond, repeatedly throughout their childhood Winters. Their skates are basically speed skating skates. When asked if I could skate, my answer was, "Yes." It should have been, "No!" Or at least not at the level of the casual Dutch skater! Anyways, I figured a smooth ice surface was better for my inexperience than the pond nearby. So, off to Thialf! Not wishing to invest a lot in the endeavor, I planned to rent skates. Unfortunately, the rental shop doesn't open when the rink does, which is Thialf's only lost star. A search in Heerenveen failed to yield any reasonable alternatives. We then decided to sip snert (split pea soup) in the café until Thialf's rental shop came through. The rental shop actually had some used skates that were a great price, so I went with those. Laughably, the skates were speed skates, which are a completely different animal! I was like a cartoon character running in one place, but going nowhere! Back up stairs, I explained the problem and BEGGED the skate shop people to switch me into a pair of used figure skates. They did, and sharpened them for me! The new set were very good skates and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the amateur circle. I even braved a trip around the amateur ring! One of the real pleasures of a trip to Thialf is sharing (sort of) the same ice that many Olympians have traversed. So, as I meandered around the amateur 'bunny' ring, I watched the professionals practice in the larger outer Olympian ring. WOW! Those people barely move and they've gone an entire lap! It will make you forget your own shame and embarrassment as you gaze in wonder.

Decent and interesting museum. Good option on a rainy day or with kids.read more

Very nice modern museum covering local history. It's one of those history museums that will mean…read moremore to locals then international visitors as the exhibits are very local history oriented, but still well worth a stroll. There are no English translations on the exhibits but each room as an English explanation card for the room.

Oerol, a cultural festival on the island of Terschelling. The festival is 10 days in June. The…read morestart and end date varies per year, so best to check the www.oerol.nl for details. To enjoy your visit, it is key to plan. For example, our hotel is booked more than a year in advance. The boats and theatre tickets are booked approx 2 months before Oerol. Boats leave from Harlingen. The essentials to pack for oerol are Wellington boots, raincoats, fleece, sunscreen, sunglasses. It is always colder on the island than in the cities in Holland. As most people rent bikes, I also pack a bicycle seat cover so I can easily find my bike again after shows. Shows are spreaded all over the island. A bicycle is the best mode of transport of my choice. Especially as there are beautiful cycle-lanes in the dunes, forest etc, . Bicycles can be rented upon arrival in the harbour. Most bicycles are good quality, and if you run in problems, the rental company gives you another bike. The theatre shows are in unique locations, ranging from beach, barns to film theatre. Pricing of shows is comparable to shows in Amsterdam. Apart from theatre, it is great just to hang out on the beach and dip your feet into the icecold water. Beaches are huge compared to what you find elsewhere in the Netherlands. Tips: - It is required to buy an oerol passport, before you can buy tickets. See oerol website - If you are on a budget, consider camping, buy only a passport, enjoy the street theatre and performance at the two main festival sites. - Oerol does attract more and more non-Dutch speakers, as the program becomes more international. However, 90% seems still Dutch. . - The festival has a children program - There are festival busses from Amsterdam to the boat in Harlingen. This may be a quicker option than trains.