Tonight I passed this shop, full of cigars! Inside there’s a lounge where a few gentlemen smoked a cigar together with some small talk. I liked the smell and yes I know that it is not fashionable these days to smoke but…
How about a cigar?
Category: Typical Rotterdam
Feeling blue in the rain
Last evening it was raining, there was wind and a almost empty street. Even the colors faded. Only a blue light above a entrance put some color in this image. This street scene is shot at Willemsplein, near the river Maas. In daylight many tourists and buses, at night almost deserted!
Greetings to you from Rotterdam
When I saw this on the Erasmus bridge I had to photograph it for this blog. Starting this blog and hoping to reach people over the world as they do with their blog is the goal, so this message is for you!
October 1st theme day “Orange”
And its the first of the month, themeday for CDP! And the october theme is orange. And while walking the dog nearby our house I spotted this delivery boy of “Thuisbezorgd” the local delivery service for food delivery ordered online with one of the many participating restaurants. And is it orange or not! 😉
Heat in the city
In Rotterdam we use for a great number of houses district heating or “stadsverwarming”. The houses get their warm water and heating from different sources, for instance via power plants (water that was used for cooling the plants), warmth produced through waste incineration and industry. Nowadays district heating is gaining popularity due to climate changes and less use of fossil fuels. This cover is one of the many used for maintenance of the network.
12 Languages help with healing
There are about 80 pharmacies in Rotterdam and this one is where I got my medicines. In 2016 a Rotterdam pharmacy was chosen out of 950 pharmacies to be the best of the Netherlands. Located in the Afrikaanderwijk and a real city pharmacy. The team speaks 12 languages, has short waiting times and takes the patient serious with time to advice.
Train, metro, tram and rain, rain, rain…
Today started with rain, around noon it was still raining and when I was almost ready with work it started pouring with rain! I took this photo at Blaak station. An hub where train meets metro, metro meets the tram and vice versa 🙂 I like the mood/colors. And can you spot a rather famous architecture design? Yes, you see a glimpse of the kubus (cube) appartments in which no wall is straight!
Rainy city centre
Walking home from work it started to rain. Autumn is really here! Up in the attic and looking through the window I saw this rainy evening view over the neighbourhood roofs with some of the city centre buildings. I like the mood of this picture and being home, dry, warm and knowing that tomorrow is a day off!
Locked inside
Today a picture I took at the same day as this one. You can see this now in more cities beside Paris. This is the Rijnhavenbrug between Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht. And why the title of this post “Locked inside”? Because I’m sick at home and can’t get out for a fresh picture…
Every day is being built in Rotterdam but not on sunday!
Its a sunday so a little peace and quiet is almost obligated! Almost every day is being built here in the city, homes, shops, offices etc. but today with maybe the last real warm day for the autumn gets started everyone enjoys the peace and quiet of the weekend!
Prologue Tour de France 2010 in Rotterdam!
Feel like a pro cycler when taking the route from the prologue Tour de France 2010! In juli 2010 de Tour started in Rotterdam and three weeks later (where else 🙂 ended in Paris! On the cycle paths along the old prologue route are still the logos visible to remind us of these sporting days. This one can be found near Metro station Rijnhaven. Its a sunny day here in Rotterdam so enjoy just like me this saturday!
Cruiseships parking in the middle of the city
The harbour was and is always in the middle of the city. Ships passing by, bridges open and close and a lot of people live and work along the river quays. And every thursday cruiseships park for some of the skyscrapers so when you get up in the morning and open the curtains a few of the decks are right in front of your window! I photographed this cruiseship between the buildings at the Kop van Zuid. A area worth the visit!
Neighbourhood sunset
Today a photographed this sunset just around the corner where I live. The old railroad track with the renovated spaces, the trees and all in a somewhat autumn mood. I played with the settings of my camera and I like the results very much!
Framed!
Walking home this evening I walked past this mural De lijst (the frame), named after the restaurant De lijst and made by artist Cor Kraat in 1980. It was placed nearby on a other building above restaurant De lijst, demolition of the restaurant meant it had to move in 1988 to another building and again it had to move in 2002 to the current location at the Oostzeedijk Beneden. Restored in 2019 in all his glory. I like the frames inside the frame…
Missed
This sticker was put on the pole of a traffic light. Its a poem of a sort. I try to translate it to English:
Missed
I miss him. I miss him. I miss him.
I miss him. I miss him. I miss him.
Now I have to wait fifteen minutes for the next one.
As a employee of the public transport in Rotterdam I like the humor of it. Written by Doris Schakenbos who writes many of them, you find more here>>
Picture of the poem taken by Sarah Richter and kindly send to me!
Feel at home!
Its a monday and a grey sky. For this days motivation I chose this picture. I came across this mural during a evening walk a few days ago. Its on the wall of a former railroad track. It says “Thuisvoelen” or translated “Feel at home”. Thats how I feel about living here in Rotterdam, feeling at home!
A survivor of the middle ages
Its sunday and I found it appropriate to show the Grote of Sint-Laurens church. She’s the only survivor of the cities middle ages centre. Building started in 1449 with the tower and in about 1500 the church was completed. During WWII the church was heavily damaged but rebuild and in 1968 again completed. Visit the church and climb the tower for a nice view of the surrounding city! Nice weather today so enjoy a quiet sunday just like I do!
Old shop of the City of Rotterdam
Yesterday evening we walked along the old railroad line Rotterdam – Den Haag en passed a old shop being renovated. The sunsets beautiful light through the shopwindows did show a shadow of the shops name; City of Rotterdam! How a coincidence was that! Nothing special about this picture but I like it! Have a great saturday!
Before e-mail you’ve got the postoffice
A couple of days ago I passed the rear (Rodezand) of the old Main Postoffice located at the Coolsingel. This was an entrance to the innercourt for the lorries with the mail and packages etc. Build between 1915 and 1923 in a classic style with some art deco elements. It survived the second world war but was closed in 2007 and out of use since but plans are to reuse it for appartments, a hotel and shops…
Blue tones between the faces of grey office buildings
Today I was passing by these office buildings near Rotterdam Central station. I liked the sun on the faces of the buildings and how they reflect the light. This location has many sky scrapers with offices and appartments…
Sunrise over the Erasmusbrug, the Rotterdam and the river Maas
This morning at work I witness this beautiful sunrise over two of our cities most protruding landmarks and our river the Maas. First the Erasmusbrug, completed in 1996 and connecting north and south of Rotterdam. Second, the building Rotterdam (the three towers), completed in 2013 with offices, appartments and a hotel. And last but not least, the river Maas flowing from France to the North Sea.
Tired? Take a rest on a garbage container!
Are you tired of walking trough Rotterdam? Then take a break while sitting on this garbage container chair! Last year the city ordered the use of old containers and uniforms for the making of these chairs. These chairs can be found at the Hofplein in the centre of the city.
P.S. Here’s a picture of a real garbage container for comparison
We got it! The world’s fanciest McDonald’s!
Yes its true! This McDonalds, located at the Coolsingel, won in 2016 a German Design Award given by the German Design Council. Apparently one of the most prestigious awards. I don’t know if the guests who visit this restaurant 24/7 do like the beauty or favorite the Big Mac…
How long will this be green?
I made this photo a while ago but it is a good one for a sunday, a quiet green spot in the centre of the city between the railroad tracks, busy streets and high buildings, the corner Couwenburg – Pompenburg. People grown their own vegetables in a edge of this small park. But plans are to build here and in a few years buildings will replace this green spot with concrete and cars…
A rainbow walks in the rain
When walking home today from the bookstore (bought a new dayplanner) it was raining and an autumn mood coloring the city. But these two people took care of a rainbow of colors and lighten the day! Happy saturday and enjoy this weekend!
Number 7 of the 100 Best Cities in the world to ride a bicycle
Did you know that Rotterdam grabs number 7 of the 100 best cities in the world to ride a bicycle and about 12.000 people a day cycle over one of the city’s famous bridges, the Erasmus bridge? I use a bike often to travel quick and easy through the city. Rotterdam has plenty of cycle paths and is part of the cycle junction network. In the city are several free bicycle parking areas where you can also charge your electric bike. I took this picture at one of many bike rental company’s in the city…
Rotterdam Pride 2019, House of Colours
I took this colourful picture at the Coolsingel in the centre of our city. Its a shop window of the Bijenkorf, a big department store. 22-29 September 2019 is Rotterdam host to Rotterdam Pride, House of Colours. There’s plenty to see and attend. The 28th of september the streets of Rotterdam will light up with al the colours of the Rainbow with the Pride Walk. Many (Pride) shop windows will show their colours and many more events. More info here >>
Stolpersteine, stumble stones, Jewish victims of WWII remembered
About 300 of these stones – Stolpersteine or stumble stones, a project of the German artist Gunter Demnig – are placed in the pavement in front of the houses where the Jewish victims used to live in Rotterdam. Most of these victims were deported to camps as Auschwitz, Sobibor, Bergen-Belsen or Mauthausen. I photographed these stones in the pavement of the Goudsesingel, not far from where I live.
P.S. About 61.000 of these stones spread over 22 countries are placed. All bear the names of Jewish victims. Here you can find a list of the stones in Rotterdam >>
This building started the rise of skyscrapers in Rotterdam
Between 1973 and 1976 this building was build. Architect Piet Zanstra designed it for the Shell Pensioenfonds whom rented it to the Shell Cooperation. 95 Meters high, 26 floors and a parking for 306 cars. After completion in 1976 criticism was fierce and the council decided a stop for building this kind of high buildings. Not for long though and Rotterdam is now renown for the (high) architecture, nickname ‘Manhattan aan de Maas’ (Manhattan along the river Maas).
September 1st theme day “Red”
Today is themeday for the City Daily Photo community and the theme of september is red. Red for dangerous driving! This car seems to crash trough the wall of this parking garage, so fit for theme day! But nothing serious though, its a ‘popart’ thing hanging on since 1987. Made by artgroup Kunst & Vaarwerk 1979-1992.
Rotterdam Centraal stairs going up and down
I took this picture a few days ago, the stairs up to the square in front of Rotterdam Centraal, the public transport hub of Rotterdam. Trains, metro, busses and trams, all there to find. Last days of the summer holidays so still no crowds! I like the tranquility here. Have a nice weekend all!
P.S. And I know, stairs are going down too, to the metro and train platforms 🙂
Evening reflection
Passing by this building and did like the reflection and the big anchor – harbour days 6-8 september 2019 here in Rotterdam.
Using public transport, the tram
Busy day at work today, but you can still enjoy the vacation vibe as seen in this picture. Almost nobody aboard of this tram at tramstop Spangen…
Almost end of august, 2nd heat wave…
The sky is spotless the last four days due to the second heat wave here in the Netherlands. Living in the city in these heat, 32C, is not my cup of tea. But the weather forecast is positive, in two days temperature will go down and thunder and rain replace the sun and blue sky… I made this picture in the Central Post District near Rotterdam Central Station, worth a visit!
A good morning view from the Luchtsingel
This morning I walked to work over the Luchtsingel. Originally a city initiative (stadsinitiatief) the Luchtsingel connects Rotterdam North to the center. Its a wooden pedestrian bridge of 390 meters long and has connections by stairs to a small park Pompenburg and the Schieblock, a building occupied by small businessprojects, the Hofbogen and the Hofplein. The Luchtsingel was opened in june 2015 and is populair by tourist and citizens alike!
Free street library
In my street in the Agniese buurt we’ve got a free street / neighbourhood library. You can take a book out or put a book(s) in and its free to read! I think thats great! And its weekend with a very sunny and lazy sunday, perfect for reading! Have a nice sunday too!
Oostplein metro, remember the marines 1940
This is de entrance to the Metro station Oostplein. Here stood in May 1940 the barracks of the marines. Rotterdam and the marines are for always connected because of the fighting in May 1940, a fierce battle against the German invasion forces only to end because of the bombardment of Rotterdam destroying the inner old city. This is a piece of the main entrance to the barracks plus a stone dating from 1783. The marine corps date back to 1665 and are stationed in Rotterdam since 1869.