Perfect view of all the options
Papa, Opa and Jana took me to a ‘speeltuin’ (playground) near Opa’s house in the Netherlands. It was called Groenendaal. That must translate to scrapes, bumps and bruises because the contraptions caused many injuries and crying kids as a result. Whenever a child cries I run over to make sure everything is ok and it was a busy afternoon for me. I also got an ice cream.
Let me run you through my favourite hazards equipment.
First stop is this roundabout. This one caused some injuries, one from one of the boys in this picture.
It’s safe in the middle
I love the Netherlands. I want to move here. There are basically no rules. For example, I was tall enough to ride this moterbike. No supervision whatsoever. They basically put the parents in charge and with Papa and Opa around that’s not a guarantee for success.
Who’s the easy rider now?
The absolute highlight of this playground was a deathtrap merry-go-round. This picture was taken 20 seconds before I slit down and go my feet dragged over the ground. Papa saw it coming and was quick to the rescue. Maybe he knows what he’s doing after all.
Going round, feeling merry
Speeltuin Groenendaal was a scream. Literally! Did I mention I got an ice cream?
Petting zoos in Amsterdam with parents
Papa giving goat petting instructions
We spent a few months in Amsterdam and Papa and I went on a quest to visit every petting zoo in Amsterdam. I love petting zoos. I like avocados as well. And my yellow boots. After visiting nearly all petting zoos my conclusion is that people in Amsterdam really like goats.
running with the pigs
This one is on the side of a canal on the bickersgracht in a small neighbourhood near ‘het IJ’ where we lived close by. It was my perfect for my size. They have a few goats, ducks, chickens, geese, sheep, bunnies and pigs. There’s also a little playground right next to it with a slide and some tricycles. It’s not very busy and I liked it a lot. Tips from Papa: This is a perfect little set-up for small children. The playground is completely fenced in so you can chill while the kid plays.
Rotterdam Zoo with Papa and Opa
Many strange ducks in this pond, including Opa.
Mama doesn’t like zoos and I went with Papa and Opa to Blijdorp in Rotterdam. I like animals and there were a lot of them in all shapes and sizes. I have a book at home with a lot of animals and I knew a lot of the sounds they make. I was yelling sounds every time I saw an animal even if I wasn’t sure. Papa and Opa were playing along with my game.
Plane spotting at Schiphol, Amsterdam with parents
Planes are as much fun to watch as to travel with
I like planes. Every time I see or hear one I will point it out to Papa and Mama. We’re in the Netherlands right now and there’s a lot of them everywhere. Pointing to the sky is a full time occupation for me. Papa calls me a planespotter and took me to the place where they go into the sky! Apparently it’s a populair thing to do in the Netherlands and Oma is a big of an expert. Mama said we were nuts.