CHILL Amsterdam

As mentioned in my former posts, I’m in Holland at the moment visiting family and friends. I have a big family and it is great seeing them again.

One of the family members is my younger sister Penny. Today I like to place a post about her because she has a fantastic massage studio in Amsterdam, called CHILL Amsterdam.

If she gives me a massage it feels like I’m in Asia. The atmosphere, the smell of the oils, the soft music, the massage, so great, so relaxed, so zen…

She is qualified in offering different kinds of massages, like relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, sport massage, Shiatsu, etc. More information you will find on her website: www.chillamsterdam.nl

Besides the great massages you can also buy beautiful hand made jewelry at CHILL Amsterdam!

CHILL Amsterdam
Hogeweg 29-1
1098 BW Amsterdam

T. +31 (0)20-8406772

The realaxing massage room

The oils and the beautiful flowers…

and hand made jewelry

Fragrant massage oil…

good for the body…

head and hair

Just relax… and enjoy the massage

You certainly comes back…

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Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam

In Amsterdam the weather is cold, rainy and misty. Nature looks grey, no leafs on the trees, no green. It is almost winter time. I miss the tropical weather and the green nature, but… no problem, I just went to Hortus Botanicus.

Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. Today, there are more than 4.000 plant species growing in the garden and greenhouses.

Because my focus is on Asia I was curious what kind of Asian flowers and trees I would find in Hortus Botanicus.

When I stepped in the tropical section of the greenhouse I was surprised. The greenhouse looks like a real tropical jungle and even feels like a tropical jungle, hot and humid. So great… The plants and trees are beautiful and so green, like Asia. I’m happy…

I made a lot of photo’s, just too much to show.

Better is, if you are going to Amsterdam, to visit this beautiful place.

More info about Hortus Botanicus you will find on: www.dehortus.nl

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Plantage Middenlaan 2a
Amsterdam
T. +31 (0)20 6259021

In the back, the gorgeous museum cafe The Orangery

Inside the butterfly greenhouse

Inside the the tropical section of the greenhouse

The Zeedijk, Amsterdam Chinatown

I’m still in Amsterdam and try to find Asian links with the Dutch… because my focus is on Asia. That is not so difficult, lots of Asian people live in Amsterdam. Approx. 120.000 Chinese people live in the Netherlands of which 25.000 in Amsterdam.

The Zeedijk, also called Amsterdam Chinatown, is located downtown Amsterdam, close to the famous Red Light district. You will find many Chinese restaurants, called toko’s, but also other Asian restaurants and deli’s as well Chinese shops and massage salons. The biggest Asian supermarket Amazing Oriental is located on the Nieuwmarkt, close to the Zeedijk and The Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua, the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe, is also located on the Zeedijk.

The Buddhist temple cost 9 million guilders (4.1 million euros) to build, 6 million of which was donated by the Fo Guang Shan organization and the remainder by businessmen and other private donors. Construction workers from Taiwan build the roof with the specific decoration. It was completed in the year 2000 and dedicated in person by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

If you are in Amsterdam don’t miss the Chinatown tour!

More information about the temple you will find on:
http://www.sacred-destinations.com

The Zeedijk, Monday morning, still quiet…

Entrance of The Buddhist Temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua

Inside the temple

The friendly staff of the temple

Nam Kee restaurant is a famous restaurant in Amsterdam because of the
Dutch drama film ‘Oysters at Nam Kee’

Bruce Lee still popular in Amsterdam Chinatown

The biggest Asian supermarket in Amsterdam ‘Amazing Oriental’

Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam

Last friday I went to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. The Tropenmuseum is one of Europe’s leading ethnographic museums, renowned for its collection. This museum it’s my favorite. Every time when I’m in Holland I visit this museum. I love to make a journey in non-western cultures. The Tropenmuseum offers permanent and temporary exhibitions display (art) objects, photographs, music and film. I could tell you more, but it is better to visit the museum when you go to Amsterdam or have a look on their website www.tropenmuseum.com

Enjoy the tour!

The beautiful and historic building

Historical photographs the Bridges photographed in former Dutch East Indies

Former Dutch East Indies collection

Toean (Sir) Anwar (Indonesia), ca 1880 – 1940. He looks very real…

Collection from Bali, Indonesia

Kris, traditional weapons from Indonesia

Beautiful piece of art from wood

Collection from Papua New Guinea