Walking in the East Side

I was lucky to have a wonderful day off just for myself on this Tuesday. I have been living soon 2 years in Amsterdam and there is so many places that I have not had time to visit. Luckily I will be staying here a long time, no end to be seen yet:-), and can take my time and do spontaneous walks whenever it is possible. I just love to go to this adventure modus and be surprised of what I will see outside in the Streets, Parks, Museums, Art exhibitions, Cafes or in normal daily situations. The vision of the moment I witness in my own eyes gives me the strength and focus to the day and I feel connected to the presence!I want to stay open to the life and for the opportunities which are there for us every day. I prefer opening the door, taking the steps and see what is out there!

I took the tram number 7 from the Centre and went for a walk in just renovated Oosterpark in the east side of town. I had also in my mind the Nature photo exhibition in the botanical Gardens (Hortus Botanics), which I wanted to see. These both attractions are about the same area in town, near The Zoo called Artis. You can easily spent your whole day in this area, because there are many museums, restaurants and other attractions nearby. A good part of town to visit also with the kids. 

Stop 1: Oosterpark

Oosterpark has been lately renovated for the new glory. It is an old, english styling park designed in the end of 18th century. The neighbourhoods around the park has traditionally been diverse, populated with many immigrants. Everything is changing in Amsterdam at the moment, there is so much building projects and lifting up the forgotten corners of the town. It is expensive to live inside the motorway ring and many people have to find cheaper options for housing. It is nice that the image and reputation of many areas is getting better, but soon the normal working people can't afford to live in the City. 

The sunny Oosterpark charmed me very well on my walk! The landscape is curvy and full of interesting corners and works of art to admire. I also found the small, modern playground very appealing. I went there with my camera and captured the shadows and the lines, walking up to the slide and enjoying the views from the perspective of a small child. 

Stop 2: passing Artis Magistra

I passed the old building of the famous Zoo "Artis" when walking towards the Botanic garden. The Zoo itself is like a huge, green park area where you can have a nice walk or have a picnic. Many families go there to spent their time and it is not just watching the animals. I personally like a lot this old building in picture under. It is a home for many fishes and sea animals. I will go there one day soon and show you the beauty of this old architecture and also show you the rest of the Zoo!

Stop 3: Hortus Botanicus

I started to get hungry on my walk and had a picture of me having a lunch in the shadows of Botanic garden. There is a nice terrace and restaurant surrounded by green. I first bought me a year ticket, so I am free always to go to Hortus Botanics and have a peaceful walk. Inside the fences of this garden I totally forget I am living in the City. It is a peaceful place to sit, read a book, take photos and collect some energy. 

The photo Exhibition " International Garden photographer of the year" is to be seen until the 19th of September. I will tell you more about it in other blog text. This picture below taken in Florida by Paul Marcellini got the 2nd price in the category of "Trees, woods and forests". The result includes 3 different photos processed together, so it is not totally realistic type of nature photography. Mystical result anyway!

I had fun on tuesday and I wish you a nice weekend, exploring the outside world!!

Under the palm trees

Someone goes warming up to a public Sauna in this grey season, but I prefer going to the "tropic' under the big, class roof of the greenhouse. Here I can imagine, that I am somewhere else for a couple of hours. Hortus botanicus, "De Hortus", in Amsterdam is a great place to visit also in the winter time. I love the space in the big palm house: the huge class windows and the beautifully build class roof is protecting the big trees and giving enough of light. 

The palm house from 1921

The architecture from the palm house is great. Even if it is quite a big L-shaped element in the corner of garden, it looks light and elegant. The whole network of the class in the high windows and up by the roof is inspiring to see. This is a good place for the pot plants to spend their winter. Some trees in this house are very old (some even the oldest pot plants in the world) and this is a home for all these wonderful plants. You can climb the narrow steps up inside and have a look of the whole house from a narrow metallic balcony.

The steps up!

I would like to sleep here in a tent under the sky, but still protected from the outside world. Must be a mysterious place in the night time. This starts to sound like those movies about a man made ecosystem, like the only green place left to live.

The wind was extremely strong when I was visiting the botanical garden, even if it seems so peaceful in the pictures. I walked around in the outdoor garden and saw some very early signs of spring and flowers that are blooming typically in the wintertime. I am not so good at the names of the different plants. It is great that you can always see a name sign beside the tree or a flower when visiting a botanical garden - very educational. I was in 'Hortus Botanicus' last time in the end of October (If you want to see some more pictures, you can have a look at the blog text from 23.10.2015).

Erika herbaria, blooming in winter months

The garden is not very big, but there is a lot to see. There are plants from different climate placed in another big glass house. 

The three climate greenhouse

This visit gave me a lot of energy. I am considering of buying a year card, I know it would be worth it. Even just going for a coffee  and having a walk& a look afterwards. Every time it would be different, depending on the season and the company. From the 16th of April until the 19th of September 2016, there will be an interesting photo exhibition in the "Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam. The International garden photographer of the year(IGPOTY)exhibition will present some work of enthusiastic garden photographers. I loved to walk and take some photos myself and will be very curious to see this new photo collection of garden photographers later in the spring time.

A view from the lovely museum shop to the butterfly greenhouse.

A palm tree inside the cafe.

Wishing for you a good start for a new week!!!