If you've watch the tv show The Amazing Race, you may have seen the episode in which the contestants were here in the Netherlands and they had to compete in the traditional Dutch sport of Fierste Ljepper. If you haven't seen the show or don't remember that event, it's the one where competitors use a long pole to launch themselves across a canal of various widths and depths. From all impressions, it's a lot harder than it sounds.

Tomorrow, 24 July, there's the Red Bull Fierste Ljepper competition here in Utrecht. It starts at 14:00 and takes place over by the Geldmuseum located at Leidseweg 90, Utrecht. The best of the best will be competing, with a 14-meter pole, a 2.5 meter-high ramp and a water depth of 3 meters. The location is accessible by foot, bike or tram. Details are listed here (in Dutch).

Although an Irish word in origin, Shebeens -- originally an illicit and unlicensed bar or club -- have popped up around the world. They gained particular popularity in South Africa during the days of apartheid, when black Africans were barred from entering white bars. Shebeens became a place for people to meet, drink, discuss, dance and build a sense of community. They bred resistance and activism, as well as entertainment, and would often reopen when police tried to shut them down. They're no longer illegal in South Africa, but residents are trying to keep them going as a part of their cultural history. They've become an important part of urban life now.

There is an exhibit of photos of these shebeens from the days of apartheid. The exhibit, located at Galerie Sanaa, is in its closing days, as it ends 24 July, but there's still time to see the work of artist Ananias Leki Dago. The gallery, open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00-18:00, is located at Jansdam 2, Utrecht.

Sometimes it seems like Amsterdam gets all the bigger international musical acts, with Utrecht left forgotten. So here's a bit of a heads-up for some of the bigger indie music acts hitting the stage at Tivoli in the coming months. Tickets tend to go fast, so get them while you can.

Kasabian is playing 11 August, but according to Tivoli's Twitter postings, there are only three tickets left. Hurry! Black Rebel Motorcycle Club play 24 August, with tickets on sale for €17. Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band hit the stage 15 September, with tickets priced at €15. Finally, I Am Kloot is playing 6 November, with tickets going for €16.

All of these shows are at the main Oudegracht location of Tivoli. Check the website for links for tickets, as well as opening times and support acts.

The official website already has all details available for the Canal Parade. Check out the site for an official map, where you can see the parade begins at 2pm on the Prinsengracht at the Westerdok harbor (west of the Central Station). It travels around the Prinsengracht until it makes a left onto the Amstel, then heads north in the direction of the Oosterdok, finishing around 5pm.

The website also provides a full schedule of events from Friday August 6th until Sunday August 8th. If the Canal Parade isn't what you had in mind, an incredible variety of parties and cultural events await you during the weekend.

The story is circulating in the local press this morning in Amsterdam, as the Public Transport Museum has announced they are on the verge of bankruptcy. This comes after years very public warnings and statements by the museum about the city's lack of support for their existence and future locations as their old garages are being closed down.

This means for anyone visiting Amsterdam, now more than ever, it is a fine time to visit the public transport museum. Boasting a large collection of classic trams, buses, and ferries going as far back as 1901, the museum is eager to welcome visitors. They also run classic electric tram rides (daily) from old Harlemmerstation to the beautiful countryside outside of Amsterdam south. Regular price for a round trip ticket is 4 euros and its an excellent option for anyone who loves old trams and is looking to get out of the city for the day.

Do it now, before its too late!

The 2010 Leiden film festival approaches: the main event won't be until October, but each year the organizers also host a summer special. Between 6-8 August, the summer special is called Il cinema Italiano and features three offerings: Otto e Mezzo from 1963, Caos Calmo from 2008, and Pranzo di Ferragosto, also from 2008. The program is as follows:

Thursday 5 August: Otto e Mezzo (1963)
Friday 6 August: Pranzo di Ferragosto (2008)
Saturday 7 August: Caos Calmo (2008)

The viewings are free and begin at 10pm. In order to guarantee that you can find a place, the organizers suggest that you try to arrive by about 9pm. The films are shown on the Pieterskerkplein in Leiden.

After many years of living in the Netherlands, I still learn about new possibilities all the time. One of these has to do with online shopping, which can be a dangerous area to become proficient in!

But the options I've found recently in relation to grocery shopping are actually more convenient that expensive. The first is the online shopping option at Albert Heijn. I'd heard about this long ago but wrote it off, assuming the delivery charge would cost a fortune. But recently I found the relevant website and discovered that if your schedule is flexible, it's possible to get groceries delivered for just under EUR 5. What a deal! Beware, though - Albert Heijn asks for a minimum purchase of EUR 70 for delivery, so you'll have to wait until you need a pretty hefty load of food.

Another option I discovered recently may be of interest to eco-food lovers. Odin works in cooperation with ecological food suppliers all over the Netherlands, and offers a service that allows you to shop online for your food and then pick it up at a convenient location (usually one of the relevant supermarkets). There's only a EUR 15 minimum and no other charges. Odin also offers pre-prepared bags of fresh organic seasonal fruit and vegetables. There are five subscription types available from about EUR 8 to 15 per bag.

If you're big on planning ahead or just want your trip to the supermarket to take substantially less time, maybe one of these services is worth looking into.

Start your evening with a beautiful walk on the beach. Despite the crowds lining most of the coastline of the Netherlands, Noordwijk is generally easy to access - especially after 5pm. We enjoyed watching kite-flyers and joyous children still splashing in the warm waves.

Later, we headed to one of Noordwijk's highest rated restaurants: Thai Tjon (located at Albert Verweystraat 50). Highly rated, that is, but affordable - most entrees are about 15 euros. The food is delicious and well worth the trip. But be sure to make a reservation, even on a seemingly quiet Sunday evening. We snapped up the last table available for drop-ins.

Everyone loves a parade, they say, but I bet the Parade going on in Utrecht starting today is even more enjoyable. The annual itinerant cultural festival is taking place 16 July-1 August in Utrecht at Moreelsepark near the Central Station.

The festival, which travels also to Rotterdam, Den Haag and Amsterdam throughout the summer, is a mix of theater, music, comedy, and fun and games. A few of the events include Burlesque Express and Silent Disco. There will also be special photography workshops on offer. The one-day photo courses are held July 22 and 23, and the two-day course is available July 24-25.

Tickets start at €7, but decrease in price with discounts and with changing dates. They're also available for purchase online or at various ticket kiosks on site. Check the website for the full listing of times (most of the day's events don't start before 14:00) and events.

The Ij Brewery, Amsterdam's beloved microbrewery in a windmill, is celebrating its 25th year making beer. In honor of this anniversary, they've brewed a special Jubilee edition in the basement (where they brew all their beer).

Note that among the things that make the Ij Brewery special - all of their beers are organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and brewed and bottled on premises. They're located in the East of Amsterdam, a short bike ride from the Maritime Museum. Operating hours are daily, from 3pm to 8pm. Tours of the brewery take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A fine time to experience this unique Amsterdam destination.