Buzz
Our group's first destination is Volendam, a fishing village located more than 20 kilometers north of Amsterdam. Situated on the shores of Lake Karten, this charming village captivates with its fleet of classic fishing boats, 240 of them regularly docked at the harbor. Lake Karten, once a sea, transformed into a freshwater lake since a seawall was built to separate it from the salty water.
On the historic 700-year-old seaside street, locals dress in traditional Dutch attire, especially enchanting are the women's floor-length dresses, combined with aprons, pointed bonnets, and wooden clogs.
Nevertheless, Volendam is renowned in Europe for its dike network surrounding the village. Standing on the dike, we distinctly feel the sea level outside the dike is at least 3 meters higher than the ground within the dike-protected residential areas.
In the past, the initial dikes were only about 1 meter high, intended to shield crops from flooding. Over time, each tidal cycle along the coast left sediment layers at the dike's base. These sediment layers gradually thickened and widened. That's when the Dutch began constructing new dikes on these stabilized sediment layers.
The subsequent dikes started to increase in height and width, enveloping new sediment areas. Silt from the rivers during flood events would continue to replenish the land that was originally salt marsh within the new dike lines. After several centuries, many new land areas formed, giving rise to new villages.
In Volendam, the dike embankment is where rows of beautifully adorned historic houses sit. Houses entirely made of green-painted wood, dark gray tiled roofs, framed windows, decorative motifs, and black-painted columns create a picturesque scene reminiscent of a captivating painting.
The grounds are adorned with a multitude of vibrant flowers. Most of the historic houses have transformed into souvenir shops offering traditional attire, specialty cheeses, and restaurants serving local delicacies like smoked eel and other delicious seafood.
Volendam now thrives on tourism. Souvenir shops selling wooden clogs, dolls, wooden clocks, and intricately carved wooden pictures are always bustling with visitors.
For centuries, Volendam has attracted renowned artists from around the world, including Picasso. It's said that he spent considerable time here capturing the harbor, the quaint wooden houses along the embankment, the canal system, and the drawbridge operated by a pulley system spanning the main canal through the heart of the town.
The Volendam Museum currently houses about 4,000 paintings created by hundreds of artists depicting life in this 'below sea level' town. After navigating through Doolhof – a maze-like crosswise alley, we reach the harbor. In the late morning, the last eel fishing boats return from their nightly ventures, forming a bustling fish market right on the drawbridge. The sounds and flavors evoke a sense of the past. Standing at the harbor, the seawall stretches into the distance across the sparkling lake.
Marken, the serene village
Also situated along Lake Karten, Marken is just a thirty-minute boat ride from Volendam via the Volendam Marken Express, priced at 7.5 euros. However, the Amsterdam region day ticket doesn't cover this boat ride, so to save costs, we took a bus back to Amsterdam and then caught a bus to Marken.
Fortunately, these villages are just half an hour's drive from the city center. About 15 kilometers outside the urban hustle, Marken unfolds before you like a tranquil oasis. Yes, there was a time when it was an island, dating back to the 13th century when the North Sea tide was high.
Until the construction of a five-kilometer-long sea dike in 1957 connected Marken to the mainland, Marken residents still referred to the people on the mainland as 'those on the mainland.'
For many centuries, the people of Marken lived in isolation from the outside world. Many distinctive aspects of their activities and lifestyle have been preserved to this day.
Driving on the long sea dike, I felt like I was floating on the water, surrounded by nothing but water. Suddenly, a fairytale-like village appeared, vividly standing out against the blue sea and sky.
Everything in Marken seems petite but beautifully detailed, especially the charming red-roofed wooden houses with dark green-painted walls and elegantly sturdy black-trimmed windows. Of course, every house is adorned with flowers, from the entrance to the garden to the window frames.
Looking out to the canal, mingling amidst the reed beds, is a flock of graceful, pure-white swans. Glancing at the grassy fields surrounding the village, they are as white as the woolly flock of sheep frolicking under the sun. Following the narrow streets, our attempt to reach the sea is immediately halted by an enchanting clog-making workshop.
Wooden clogs in the Netherlands are crafted from beechwood, with hundreds of similar styles. However, the decorative styles are incredibly inventive and diverse, ranging from intricate drawings, carvings, and painted designs to the addition of crystals and beads.
The shops even have artists showcasing the art of creating wooden clogs with artistic machines for tourists to enjoy. Due to the increasing demand for wooden clogs, traditional handmade production by the villagers is no longer feasible. Instead, industrial technology has taken over the clog-making process. Next to the clog workshop, there's a facility explaining the production process of milk and cheese, also offering these products for sale.
Visitors eagerly indulge in free tastings, with cheeses made from cow's milk, sheep's milk, goat's milk, mixed with chili, garlic, herbs, and more. Whether it's the exquisite taste of the cheese or the gratitude for the villages offering free entry, tourists end up purchasing quite a lot after sampling.
In contrast to other ancient villages or towns in Europe, the two Dutch villages we recently visited show no signs of faded charm. From the vibrant colors of houses and wooden clog vendors to the cheese producers and clean, well-kept cows, even the windmills are boldly decorated, creating a lively and organized village landscape.
Tourists don't experience a nostalgic feel here; instead, it's a joyful atmosphere, almost like attending a festival. This could be attributed to the villagers excelling in the tourism industry, or perhaps, for them, the past and present are seamlessly intertwined – whether it's fishing, farming, or tourism, the everyday happiness remains unchanged from the days of their ancestors.
Source: Business Saigon
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Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour
MytourJuly 8, 2016
