Europe and the United Kingdom, Historical sites, history, Museums, Opinion, Travel, Uncategorized, writing

National Monument Oranjehotel

On a cloudy Tuesday near the sea, with seagulls squawking overhead, we headed to the National Monument Oranjehotel, Scheveningen's prison. About 25000 people were detained here during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In this museum, the cells and artifacts tell stories of despair and pain, hope and perseverance. Trigger warning: This article discusses World War II history, which includes mentions of death, torture, and violence. I also discuss Hitler’s rise to power and the formation of a one-party state through legal means.

Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Historical sites, Museums, Opinion, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

The British Museum revisited

On our summer 2025 trip to London, we once again visited the British Museum. Spanning nearly the breadth of human history, the museum houses over 2 million artifacts- including some that involve controversy. This post contains updated photos, along with a brief synopsis of the controversy associated with the Parthenon sculptures.

Dessert, dinner, Europe and the United Kingdom, Food, Historical sites, history, Museums, School, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, wine, writing

A Day in Greenwich

On our summer trip to Europe, we made Greenwich our home base for London adventures. This borough in southeast London is of great importance to British maritime history, with the Greenwich meridian setting the standard for navigation and time zones across the globe.

Europe and the United Kingdom, Historical sites, Museums, Opinion, outdoors, Style, traditions, Travel, Vacation, writing

Keukenhof

Hailed as the world’s 'most beautiful spring garden,' Keukenhof celebrates the short blooming season of bulbed spring flowers. From daffodils and hyacinths to the Netherlands’ famous tulips, Keukenhof explodes with vibrant colors and one-of-a-kind varieties of flowers throughout the month of April.

coffee, Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Historical sites, history, Museums, Opinion, Shopping, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Amsterdam

In the fifth post of the Netherlands series, the Cranky Camper family visits Amsterdam, the bustling, historic capital of the Netherlands. Highlights include the Van Gogh Museum, shopping, and Amsterdam's many canals. Included in this post is a bonus summary of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert at Johann Cruijff Arena.