I work part time with young offenders for a charity. I am doing a diploma in counselling. Have left ...
I work part time with young offenders for a charity. I am doing a diploma in counselling. Have left teaching. Enjoy internet, travel, socialising, eating out. Have one cat.
Member since:08.08.2003
Reviews:13
Members who trust:4
I have been visiting Rotterdam for both short and extended periods for at least 15 years. It's an underrated city in my view, but you will either love or hate it. It's a vibrant, proud, and above all, a working city. Since it was virtually flattened in 1940 it has never stopped renewing itself - there is always building going on. There is sensational modern architecture all along Weena, near the Centraal Station, and all through the city. Look at the Beurs building, the Potlood (pencil) the library, the cube houses (you can go inside these), and the Euromast.
It's the world's biggest port, and the bridges are spectacular. You can take a boat tour on the Spido, so that you can rest your feet. Getting around is easy. There is a very efficient public transport system: bus, tram and metro. The metro lines have recently been extended and run N/S and E/W of the city. Stations are clean, safe, and covered with modern art. To get around you need a Strippenkaart, which you can buy from the RET office opposite the station. They will be happy to explain how to use it.
English is widely spoken, and people are friendly. There is a wide range of hotels and some hostels to choose from. It's not at all like Amsterdam, and there is in fact a lot of rivalry between the two cities!
During the day, there's loads to do. Visit Blijorp Zoo, (No 3 tram from station). It's really large, and well worth a visit. Children will love it. They'll also love Plaswijk Park (no 5 tram from station). There are animals, a play area, minigolf etc. Het Park is a lovely green area (tram 8, Dijkzigkt Metro) and has the Euromast and minigolf. It also has the Day of Romantic Music in August (bring a picnic, entry is free). The Museum Boymanns is fantastic (various trams, Eendrachtsplein Metro). There are lots of other museums too. The shops are stupendous, and on Tuesday and Saturday visit the largest market in the Netherlands. On Wednesday visit the Afrikaaner Markt for a different flavour (Metro Rijnhaven). Don't forget a visit to Feyenoord Football stadium too.
At night, the harbour area and Witte de Withstraat has lively bars and restaurants. There are a couple of well-patronised Irish bars with live music and sport. Delfshaven is pretty by day or night. There you will find the Pelgrim Bar - they brew their own beer, and the restaurant is good. If you want to sample Dutch food, try the Eeethuis van Delfshaven. Very friendly and cheap traditional food. For a cheap meal in the daytime, there is plenty of fast food, or you could go to numerous Surinaams/Chinese/Indonesian outlets. Also the two department stores, Hema and Vroom and Dreesman, do decent food. V and D is better than anything you'll find in England: a fantastic range and all the food is fresh. If you need to eat at night, the Hung Kee on Witte de Withstraat is open until 4am, along with many of the bars.
This street also houses the Hotel and Restaurant Bazar, a fantastic place with North African cuisine and themed rooms: Middle Eastern, African and South American. It's inexpensive, friendly and highly popular - don't expect to get in on spec. Their new website should be up and running soon.
There are easy train connections to many other Dutch cities, but there's plenty to do in Rotterdam!
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Aug 12th, 2004
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