Standing atop the sand dunes of Main Beach I shook my head in wonder at the broad expanse of dazzling white sand stretching as far as my eyes could see. Turquoise waves crested and crashed onto the beach and gulls teetered along the sand looking for tasty morsels to be tossed their way.
First thing in the morning the place is humming, folks wandering about the bird cages and animal pens to see if they really want that strapping calf or feisty goose. My friends were in the market for chickens that day and informed me that once they made their choices, yours truly would be doing the bidding! Yipes! I’ve never been to an auction in my life and was highly intimidated by these hat-wearing Aussies nodding their heads and raising fingers as the auctioneers rattled away at a dizzying pace.
I was glued to the passenger window as we drove along the rugged coastline, past villages of white-washed buildings and red-tiled roofs, close to towering hills dotted with scrub brush and stately cypress. We took a cheery red and white ferry across the bay, admiring the vacation homes tucked along the shore, imagining children playing in the walled back yards, their parents lounging in the sun.
We found a portly elderly couple, the man strong and silent, his wild-haired wife bossing him around and ordering him to take us to the island. We probably paid too much – about $25 for a one hour ride – but they were so cute and hilarious we couldn’t say no.
Everywhere I looked something interesting was there to catch my eye. If I needed fur-covered wooden shoes or old-fashioned skate blades that buckled on, this was the place to find them. If I found a run in my tights, no worries! Plastic legs hung from a beam showcased versions in lurid red diamonds, blue stripes and black argyle. And should I find myself feeling nostalgic for those the days of Communism, a line of hammer and sickle topped hats danced in the breeze.
Although I’m usually the sort of girl who likes to stay in small, homey establishments, searching out great restaurants and secluded beaches, there was something utterly relaxing about having everything I needed in one beautiful location.
I confess I was envisioning a noisy hotel and crowded beaches overrun with screaming children and partying college kids. Reality was anything but that.
In 1940 the Nazi’s invaded Holland and before long were rounding up Jews and political dissidents, sending them off to prisons, concentration camps and forced labor. In a tall, narrow home just steps away from the Grote Markt, an elderly clock maker and his two unmarried, middle-aged daughters put plans in motion to save as many as they could.
Getting the most from your European road trip is all about knowing how to use, but not overuse modern technology.
Every part of Versailles is stunning, but the hamlet is my favorite. The part where I feel I could putter away in the garden and milk cows with a queen of France.
