Den Haag

We spent the better part of our second day visiting Den Haag, and although we barely scraped the surface of this impressive city, we were able to get a real flavor of the incredible history that the city is comprised of.

Our accommodations were located in a town called Moerkapelle, which is about 20 minutes from Den Haag, and also from Delft, which we visited later in the day.  I found a bed and breakfast that could not have been more inviting, clean, hospitable, friendly, or cute.  The place only had two rooms, which meant we had the "whole place" to ourselves. 

We had the entire third floor.

Maddie had her bed on the opposite side of this room.  The picture doesn't do it justice for how large the room actually is.

My parents' room.

Breakfast was awesome, complete with toothpick sparklers sticking out of the apple juice for the kids.  Big hit!

Morning tickles and kisses are the best!

Little holiday touches were all around the house.  Cute!

We went into Den Haag and began our time by walking around the Binnenhof, which is a complex of buildings that has been the meeting place of the parliament of the Netherlands, since 1446, and has been the center of Dutch politics for many centuries.  Built mostly in the 13th century, the complex originally functioned as residence of the counts of Holland.  It was an impressive square of buildings to see.

We also took a walk to find the Royal Palace.  I did not get many pictures of it, mainly because I really wasn't feeling too great this day so the motivation was lacking just a bit, but here is proof we were there!

We walked by this beautiful building, only to be delighted to find out it was a restaurant and it happened to be lunchtime.  We enjoyed a yummy lunch, before hurrying off for a guided tour of the Binnenhof.

The decor inside was beautifully done, inviting and festive.

The next series of pictures were taken during our guided tour.  We were given a handout written in English, while the guide spoke Dutch to the rest of the group.  I was preoccupied with Geoffrey during the majority of the tour (it was naptime, and it was a history tour...can't really blame a 2 year old for that!).  We all tried taking turns in "handling" the little squirrel, but he would have nothing to do with anyone but mama.  And even mama couldn't keep him quiet or engaged enough to stay with the tour group.  My parents and Brant tell me it was a great tour, though! ;)

The Knights' Hall.  Since 1904 the Knights’ Hall has been the setting for the reading of the Queen’s speech at the annual opening of Parliament.  In her speech, the Queen announces the government’s plans for the coming year to the parliament and to the Dutch people.

Pretty impressive hall.

Little squirrel.

My dad, reading along in the Senate Chamber, while our guide talks to the group.  Thank goodness they had handouts!

Intricate and beautiful art on every available space.

The Prime Minister's office.

After the conclusion of the tour, we walked around the city just a bit more.  It also turned into a beautiful afternoon.  We all agreed that Den Haag is an amazing city, and were so happy to have visited.

Last, but not least, we went in search of ice cream as a treat for Maddie doing so well on the tour.  What a deal!