Flat Hebe’s Adventures with the Cain family in The Netherlands! 2013

Flat Hebe has made it to her first destination Maastricht! Maastricht is a city in the southern most part of the Netherlands called Limburg. Flat Hebe’s host family -the Cains , will be taking her around Maastricht and taking pictures of some yummy Dutch food and beautiful places!

Flag of Maastricht (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flag of Limburg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Welcome to the Netherlands everyone! This sign says welcome in Dutch and German!

The new bridge. This bridge was built just a few years ago and sits a little further up river. This picture was taken on the cycle path that runs along side the Maas. Cycle path in Dutch is Fietspad.

St Servatius bridge Maastricht.

Cycle path -fietspad.

Bikes ,bikes and more bikes!! Cycling is a very popular way to get around in the Netherlands.

Maastricht is the oldest city in the Netherlands! This huge gate is part of the cities original defensive wall!

The beautiful pond and water feature at Stads park Maastricht.

A bronze statue. There are many bronze statues in Maastricht, on benches,walls and street corners. our favourite is a large bronze bear that sits on a bench in Stads park.

Here it is. This picture was taken about 9 years ago when we lived in Maastricht. Here in the picture we have Uncle Paul and Aunty Caroline, they had come to visit us for the weekend. This Bear represents all the bears that lived in Maastrichts large bear enclosure in Stads park between 1920 and 1993. I think this bear looks very sad and tired, probably quite apt for a captured bear in a cage 😦

This is the memorial place where a tree has been planted in memory of the crowning of King Willem-Alexander earlier this year. His mother Queen Beatrix abdicated to give her son a chance to be King! I wonder if our Queen Elisabeth will do the same for Charles……..doubt it!

And here they are!! King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands arriving by boat into Maastricht! but where is Flat Hebe?

haha a bit blury but here she is!!! Flat Hebe actually waved to the King and Queen of the Netherlands!!! King Willem-Alexander has only been King of the Netherlands for a short time since his mother Queen Beatrix abdicated earlier this year!

This is a river parade! there are many boats rowing and sailing and motoring on the river Maas for the special occasion of the King and Queen of the Netherlands! They are coming to Maastricht by boat!

Speculoos is a spread that tastes like smooshed up spiced speculaas biscuits!

Yummy Vla! its a custard that comes in different flavors and is lekker ! Lekker is the Dutch word for yummy!

Vlai in Dutch, pie in English! Maastricht is in the Limburgs region and this is Vlai central !! there are so many kinds of vlai from fruit to rice pudding!!! Let me just say that i’ve tried many and they are all good

Hagelslag are a favorite for Dutch children. These chocolate flavored sprinkles are usually eaten on bread and butter or on toast.

Frikendel for lunch! A tasty Dutch sausage usually served with chips(frites).

CHEESES! thats a whole lotta cheese! Some very fine specimens here mmmm my favourite is lerdama!

lekker lekker a bowl of kruidnoten!! Tasty little biscuits with a taste of spices like ginger,cloves,cinnamon and nutmeg.

cafe culture in Maastricht on the Vrijthof! There are cafes and restaurants everywhere in Maastricht. You can take your pick and sample some lovely Dutch foods.