Musthafa had scheduled a visit to
FloraHolland in Naaldwijk to experience the flower auction. Accordingly we were
to be at his residence by a quarter past seven in the morning. A combination of
factors delayed us. While checking out there was some confusion with the
charges to be paid. Finally when the amount was decided the net connection went
on the blink and delayed the card transaction. All was well when we hit the
street. However, a wrong turn almost cost us in dents and fines. I turned into
a one way street with vehicles rushing head on. I managed to find an exit just
at the right time before the traffic police could arrive. High beams and
gestures from the drivers of the vehicles told their side of the story!
Holland was the crucible of
floriculture development and trade, where it became an industry over the past
century and more. While floriculture is being increasingly internationalised
and spread across the globe Holland retains its primacy. Acres and acres of green
houses can be seen all along the way where flowers and plants are cultivated in
controlled environment. FloraHolland is a conglomerate of auctions of cut
flowers and plants. It is the largest of its kind in the world and brings
together the cooperative efforts of buyers and growers. Apart from providing a
platform for demand to meet its supply and vice versa the organisation also
provides valuable and reliable market information to both parties. This makes
FloraHolland the gateway to International Trade in floriculture. Without
knowing where to go we wandered into a large warehouse where pallets of
carefully packed and packaged cut flowers were being expeditiously towed into
containers for shipment. Our presence in the warehouse did raise some eyebrows
among the workers there a security guard came by cycle and gently told us that
we were trespassing! He did tell us where to go for a tour of the premises.
Since we had enough time to appreciate the goings on we skipped the rest and
set course for Delft, where Shihana would be dropped at her workplace in TNO.
Delft is a hugely historical city
in that it is reportedly inhabited for the past 800 years and gained in
importance as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company that traded
between Europe and Asia since 1602. William of Orange settled in Delft and led
his revolt against Spanish domination and won freedom for what is now The
Netherlands and a substantial part of Belgium. Upon his assassination in 1584
he was buried in the New Church in Delft and his successors to the throne who
still rule The Netherlands are buried here, continuing with the tradition. Delft
is now a popular tourist destination in Holland as it lies between The Hague
and Rotterdam on the Rhine. It is one of the oldest technical Universities in
Europe. The 13,000 plus student population from all over the world testify to
its prominent position in today’s educational environment. The Blue Pottery of
Delft is one of its main exports and revenue earner. Vermeer, the famous 17
century painter, is a proud son of the city.
In Delft, apart from looking up
the churches and the railway station, I also got time to exchange currency,
which the Western Union counter did effortlessly. Before leaving the city we
had a second breakfast in HEMA, which is popular with the locals for the
excellent offer of a full breakfast for under Euro 2! The place was full to overflowing.
Thereafter, we drove to the outermost point that led to the highway leading to
Antwerp. After another cup of coffee at the fuel station we bid goodbye to
Mustafa and his son. He and his family have been a great support for us and
will always remain dear to us in our hearts.
The drive to Antwerp in mixed
weather conditions was mostly eventless. When we entered the City of Antwerp and
neared the location of the Hotel the Navigator became quixotic. It did lead me
around a bit till I saw a parking garage that had the name of the street where
the hotel was located. Apart from large number of 4 wheeler parking spaces the garage
had almost two levels exclusively for bicycle parking! We parked in the garage
and went on an exploratory walk to locate the hotel. It was indeed most
interesting to discover that the hotel was just 10 meters away from the exit of
the garage! The Hotel, booked by Mirus our travel agent, was centrally located,
almost diagonally opposite the Central Railway Station. The hotel also promised
a 25% discount on the parking charges of Euro 20 for 24 hours. The hotel room
was small – we had booked a double room – but was adequate. The hotel did not
have a restaurant but there were many eateries around the hotel. We decided to
look around after putting luggage in the room. After scouting around a bit we
decided on the Dragon restaurant. We ordered a shrimp fried rice and another with
chicken. It was supremely tasty. A feature of the meal was that the water cost
almost as much as a Kriek beer!
Once the siesta was done with we
spent time in the Antwerp Zoo and the grand Central Railway Station, which were
a few meters away from the hotel. The Zoo is one of the oldest in the world,
having been established in 1843. The unique architecture of the Central Station
emphasis the vibrant life in the city. The historical railway station with its 75
meter dome constitutes an important tourist reference point of the city. The platforms
are at three levels with another two levels exclusively for passenger
circulation. The magnificent station was named as the fourth most beautiful in
the whole world. I personally felt that the Giant Ferris Wheel in front of the
Central Station ruined the façade of the station building. Around the station is
the heart of the Diamond quarter. The trade of diamonds in the city, I understand,
is now monopolised by Indians.
Afterwards we walked along the main
street from the Central Station to the Old City. Along the way were the statues
of David Teniers, the famous Flemish painter and Van Dyck, the renowned Dutch
baroque painter. Peter Paul Rubens, the Flemish painter par excellence, built
his home and studio in Antwerp. The stately building and its courtyard was his
design. It is now a Museum, which was closed at the time of our visit. Rubens
is buried in the Jacob Church, not very far from his home. The Cathedral was
closed at the time but the Leonidas, the famed Belgian chocolate maker, was
doing brisk business.
The 16th century City
Hall is one of the central pieces in the Great Market of Antwerp and is a
UNESCO World Heritage listed site. The legend of Antwerp is moulded in bronze
in front of the City Hall. It is said that the passage through the River
Scheldt was at the mercy of the giant Antigoon who collected massive fines from
ships passing by. Those refusing to pay had their hands cut off and thrown
away. This practise was stopped when a Roman soldier, Silvius Brabon, slew the
giant and threw his severed hand into the River Scheldt. The name of the city
is also derived from the act – Hant (hand)-werpen (to discard). The granite
severed hand in the city centre is also a recollection of the legend. The elaborate
guildhalls stand testimony to the flourishing tradesmen of the day.
After that we walked along the water
front admiring the River Scheldt in low tide. A short walk away is the Hetsteen,
the oldest building in Antwerp. The 9th century fortification has
been a defence establishment, a living quarter, a prison and a museum along Its
history. The Port of Antwerp, the majestic building that now houses the pilot
station, old buildings that have seen the tumultuous happenings of the past and
a few beers later we retraced our route back to the hotel. On the way we stopped
by at the Kellys Irish Pub, where I met three Indians who were doing diamond
business in Antwerp. Youngsters all three, they were keen to know details of the
journey. The fish and chips portion was quite good and so was the waffle with strawberry
and sugar.
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