World headlines covered the tragic events here in the Netherlands on Queen’s Day this year. Speculation is currently running high as to how the role of the monarchy may change in the future.

Radio Netherlands has an interesting piece entitled “End of the cycling monarchy?” and gives some interesting background into the history of how the Orange family has conducted themselves.

Queen's Day 2009, despite the tragic event that took place in Apeldoorn, was still a day filled with alot of fun and beautiful moments. It may sound strange, but as someone who was driving a boat around most of the day, I hadn't heard what happened outside of Amsterdam until the end of the day.

All disclaimers aside, I thought I'd share a slideshow of my Queen's Day in Amsterdam, spent half on the canals driving a boat around, and half wandering around Vondelpark. It ends with a BBQ at my house. Hope you enjoy.

Surrounded by a beautiful sculpture garden on the banks of the Rhine river in Arnhem, the Arnhem Museum for Modern Art (MMKA) houses some great exhibits well worth your time when you're visiting the lovely city of Arnhem.

At the moment, running until May 31st, is the exhibition entitled Gelders Balkon by f.e. van der Weide. Also running for a few more days is the exhibition entitled: Ophelia, named after Hamlet's love, which is inspired by concepts like unrequited love, desperate longing, death, and more. This summer will bring more interesting exhibits to MMKA, which you can read about on their website.

Like any fine museum of this caliber, guided tours are available, there's a good café, and you can even rent the place for special occasions. Normal museum hours are about 10am to 5pm, closed on mondays. €6 entry, under 18 get in free, as do museum card holders. Click here for directions on how to get there.

The US is of course famous for its fun parks with the twisty-crazy roller coasters that can make you lose your lunch. But did you know that the Netherlands also has its share of world class roller coasters and fun parks? YES!

Today's news features one of those funparks, Duinrell, which is just outside The Hague. Duinrell has just opened its new state-of-the-art rollercoaster for 2009, and the kids are already coming from around the country to test it out. I should mention that rollercoasters are not all Duinrell has to offer, they also have great water rides, and plenty of amusements for the youngest and oldest kids- see for yourself on their site. Now check out someone's video of the new ride... see if it temps you.

Directions on how to get to Diunrell can be found here.

A couple nights ago I attended a Beyonce concert at Ahoy in Rotterdam. It was my first visit to this venue and I was suitably impressed.

First off, parking was more than ample. The lot across the street was practically empty – so empty, in fact, that I thought the concert had possibly been cancelled. Not so – when we entered, Ahoy was filled to capacity (10,000).

Our seats were in the first ring, and we decided on closer inspection that we would prefer to sneak onto the floor. This proved to be impossible – they were very strict about checking the tickets. Which in the end turned out to be a good thing, considering the size of the crowd.

The sound was pretty good, definitely better than the Amsterdam Arena. Concessions were plentiful and expensive but not ridiculous. I’ll definitely be going back.

Forget everything you've heard about good parties in Amsterdam OR the Netherlands in general.

We are 12 days away from a festival that is unlike any other. It is called Damoclash, and features a united effort from squatters, artists, crazy people, and assorted rebels. As they so eloquently put it on their site:

You are DamoClash too! So bring your paint-bombs, bad poetry and godforsaken ideals and spread them around at will amongst the visitors! Jump on the open stage, run around like a bunny or give a speech on the relevance of Emma Goldman in todays society! ... or just dress up as a short-seller...

Damoclash takes place at the amazing ADM terrain, site where the big Robodock parties one took place, home to a very large squat community. And it isn't just for dancing and drinking, there will also be theater, film, poetry, and as they said above - whatever you want to do.

I myself will be heading to Damoclash and hope to provide you with some video evidence.

It may be a couple weeks old, but this news was startling: April was (almost) the hottest April on record since records started in 1706. Wow! The average temperature is usually 8.3, and this year’s average was 12.2.

I did notice that the trees seemed quite green very early. Often their lushness led me to believe we were already experiencing a glorious summer.

The hottest April ever? 2007. It will be interesting to see what results May brings us in a few weeks.

Their slogan is "Holland's Finest Beach", which is a pretty bold claim. When I first heard that slogan I thought they were going a bit far for a place that is nothing more than a beach.

As it turns out Noordwijk has alot more going on than just its lovely beach. A historic town center, a museum dedicated to the region's agricultural history, the In De Muze Theater, are just a few of the places of interest in Noordwijk.

The name you should recognize, which is also part of the Noordwijk experience, is the nation's most loved gardens - Keukenhof- of course.

They even have something, which I'm yet to experience, called a Swiss Wellness Center. Which is exactly what it sounds like: professional massages and body care. The beach is already known to be good for your health, yet Noordwijk wasn't satisfied, they got a place that is dedicated relaxing and improving the overall condition of your body.

As I look outside it has just started raining, but the forecast predicts more sun for an already sunny pair of months here in Amsterdam. When the weather clears and summer officially arrives, I'll spend some time in Noordwijk.

There’s no shortage of restaurant reviews online, but here’s a great list that worth taking note of. Kira, the founder of Cosmo Polite, a service that hosts events for expats in Amsterdam, has provided a comprehensive list of her favorite restaurants here.

She has created an extensive list of a variety of restaurants, with brief descriptions, photos, and price indications. She ends with a wish list of restaurants she hopes to review soon.

One example:
Proeverij 274 - Brasserie of Quality
Proeverij is a well-kept secret, as it is a great cozy place to enjoy a good dinner and an elegant wine. A top-class brasserie, without any pretense.
Cosmo Polite Category: Informal restaurant with excellent food
Proeverij 274, Prinsengracht 274, T. 421 18 48. €€

At long last, its that time of year when my favorite acts from both the world of hip-hop and indy-rock come to Amsterdam. Here we go:

Saturday-

Magic Malik Orchestra at Bimhuis; 8:30pm, €18.

The party is called Spellbound, and it's taking place at OCCI; 11pm, €7.

Sunday-

One of the great from the WuTang Clan, Ghostface Killah performs at Paradiso; 10:30pm, €25 + membership.

Italian Guitarist and Singer Gianmaria Testa plays the Kleine Komedie; 8:15pm, tickets range from €12.50 to 25.

Monday-

Yamoto, the dummers of Japan; Carré, 8pm, Tickets between €15-35.

Breaking News: A baby Zebra was born at the Artis Zoo over the weekend! Yes. The little fella was up and walking within 10 minutes of his birth.

Not impressed? I'll have you know there are only 2000 of this type of Zebra's (Grévy Zebras) left in the wild. The zoo reports that both parents are doing well and proud as Zebra parents can be. Don't scoff, you try giving birth to a Zebra!

You can see baby and family and lots of animal friends at Artis daily, from 9am to 6pm. Entrance is €18.50 for adults and €15 for kids (ages 3 to 9). Directions here.

In a few weeks, the Livingstone Gallery in Den Haag will welcome an exhibition by An Hoang, a Brooklyn-based painter. This will be Hoang's first solo exhibition, entitled The Space Between.

According to pia jane bijkerk, "Hoang's work explores concepts of time, longing, and nostalgia in her paintings. She combines imagined and existing interiors in transparent layers, inviting the viewer to find familiarity." For examples of her work see her website.

The exhibition opens on June 7, 2009. The Livingstone Gallery is located at Anna Paulownastraat 70, telephone is 0031 (0)70 3609428. It is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 12.00-17.00 and every last Sunday of the month.

The museum night phenomenon is probably familiar to you; all over the world, on a specific night of the year, cities keep their museums opened late and throw some big parties to give everyone a chance to enjoy them in a way slightly out of the norm.

On Saturday, May 30th it is Utrecht's turn at Museum Night. At 9pm, 8 different museums will kick off a night of fun AND learning. Yes I said learning, although I can't guarantee that part.

What museums, you ask? Here's a short list:
The National Museum from Musical Clock to Street Organ
The CatherijnConvent Museum
Sonnenborgh Museum and Observatory
The Railway Museum (my personal favorite!)

There's more, just check on the website. An all-access pass runs €15, which you can buy online.

Ever heard of drug tourists? They’re a popular sight especially in border regions of the Netherlands, where people cross the border from Germany, Belgium, and come from France to purchase marijuana in coffee shops. Residents are complaining, but a solution has been introduced: It’s called the weed pass.

John Tyler at Radio Netherlands explains it well:

Here's how it works. To get the pass, you have to become a 'member' of a coffee shop, the Dutch cafes allowed to sell cannabis. After paying a fee and showing official identification, your details are entered into a computer system, and you get a pass.

The pass allows you to buy up to three grams of marijuana per day. All the coffee shops will be hooked up to the same system, so you can't cheat and get more by hopping from shop to shop.

The pass aims to discourage drug tourism, and time will tell if it has the desired effect.

via Niclas

World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is almost here! The event, which has taken place annually since 2004, involves many cities around the globe. A bit about the event and the mission from their wiki:

World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is being organized and supported by many different groups. The groups are only connected by their determination to all be naked on their bikes on WNBR Day, riding in celebration, jubilation to deliver a vision of a cleaner, safer, body-positive world to the masses. We have many great reasons to be celebrating, with all the glory of naked two-wheel sanity. It's time to join hundreds of naked compatriots in a free, non-sexual, fun bike ride!

If you’re in the Netherlands and you want to participate, keep an eye on the List of rides wiki for the Netherlands, located here. According to that page, the upcoming main Northern Hemisphere ride will be on Saturday 13 June 2009, so watch for potential Dutch cities where you can join the fun.

World Ocean Day is Monday, June 8th. That means that globally, a mix of scientists, politicians, policy makers, managers, students and citizens will gather in order to call attention to the fate of the world’s oceans.

Erasmus University Rotterdam and Delft University of Technology are sponsoring their own event on World Ocean Day. A schedule of events can be found here, including the première of the film The End of the Line (launched worldwide on World Ocean Day).
The evening will consist of talks by a number of fascinating individuals, including Fabien Cousteau (grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau) and Captain Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace).

This event will be held in the auditorium of Erasmus University Rotterdam. For more information and ticket sales (students €10, employees €15), visit the official website.

I've got my tickets. Two tickets to be exact. This Thursday, May 28th, the great Somali-Canadian Hip-hop artist: K'Naan performs at paradiso.

This is more than a to-do, K'Naan is a rare talent in this world with not only a unique story but also with a blend of beautiful music. Born and raised in Mogadishu, Somalia, as a teenager K'naan would immigrate, along with his mother, to Canada. His style of hip-hop includes beautiful Somali influences and traditional Somali rhythms.

His first album, Dusty Foot Philosopher is the type of album I have constantly in my rotation. In Canada it received critical acclaim and numerous awards. Now back with his new album, Troubadore, K'naan has outdone himself with even more diverse tunes and collaborating with a surprising collection of artists.

Oddly enough Paradiso has him listed as playing the smaller hall upstairs at 10:30pm. An odd decision as there is little doubt the small room will easily fill. €12 plus membership is also a more than reasonable price to see a rare and unforgettable talent.

I bet we've never discussed Sumo Wrestling anywhere on trippist. I suppose that makes sense since this is a blog about things to see and do in the Netherlands. However, Sumo is coming to Holland, so of course- we're talking about it.

On the 5th and 6th of June at the Heineken Music Hall there will be a Sumo Wrestling Tournament. The event is part of a celebration of 400 years of trade and business between the Netherlands and Japan. The featured wrestlers hail from the highest class of Sumo in Japan, appearing for the first time in the Netherlands.

Normally for the HMH I would point out how much tickets are, however this event is so special, you actually have to apply to be a part of it. Here's a link to the form you must fill out.

Right here in Leiden you can find one of the first botanic gardens in Europe. In the city center and part of the University of Leiden, it is a wonderful way to spend a summer day. Part of the garden provides a historical reconstruction of the very first version of the botanical garden. Other highlights include a Japanese garden named after the scientist Von Siebolt, and a garden named after the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus.

The garden is located in the center of Leiden. From Leiden Central Station, follow “De Leidse Loper” in the direction of the National Museum of Antiquities. You will find the garden at Rapenburg 73. A PDF map of the route is available here.

In the summer (1 April – 31 October) the garden is open daily from 10am to 6pm. The entry fee is 6 euros for adults but free with the museum card. Entry is 2 euros for students – just present your university ID card.

As part of an annual cultural festival, 43 Dutch and foreign artists will exhibit their work in unusual places in the North part of Leiden. “Unusual places” could mean in windows of Moroccan butchers, at the entrance of a Turkish mosque, in a video store, a barber shop, or in the Albert Heijn.

Between June 5 and 28, you can admire installations, paintings and other art in these locations. The official opening is on June 5 at 5pm, at the Tamtam Gallery located on Beatrixstraat 4a. During the opening, between 3:30pm and 7pm, it is possible to admire some temporary installations and performances by five artists.

For more information, including times, entrance prices and locations, see the festival website.

As part of an annual cultural festival, 43 Dutch and foreign artists will exhibit their work in unusual places in the North part of Leiden. “Unusual places” could mean in windows of Moroccan butchers, at the entrance of a Turkish mosque, in a video store, a barber shop, or in the Albert Heijn.

Between June 5 and 28, you can admire installations, paintings and other art in these locations. The official opening is on June 5 at 5pm, at the Tamtam Gallery located on Beatrixstraat 4a. During the opening, between 3:30pm and 7pm, it is possible to admire some temporary installations and performances by five artists.

For more information, including times, entrance prices and locations, see the festival website.