According to Wiki, originally, Volendam was the location of the harbor of the nearby Edam, which was situated at the mouth of the IJ bay. In 1357, the inhabitants of Edam dug a shorter canal to the Zuiderzee with its own separate harbor. This removed the need for the original harbor, which was then dammed and used for land reclamation. Farmers and local fishermen settled there, forming the new community ofVollendam, which literally meant something like 'Filled dam'. In the early part of the 20th century it became something of an artists' retreat, with both Picasso and Renoir spending time here. The majority of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, which is deeply connected to the village culture. Historically, many missionaries and bishops grew up in Volendam. Today there is the chapel of Our Lady of the Water, which is located in a village park. Beside that, there is the fact that several Holland singers are come from Volendam. It told that the famous duo Nick & Simon came from Volendam. This Duo is very popular in Holland through their fantastic pop song that perfect to my ear such as Rosanne.
Well, it is a fishing village, a very touristy area of Dutch heritage, one of the most popular tourist attraction in the Netherlands, well known for its old fishing boats and the traditional clothing still worn by some resident. The women's costume of Volendam, with its high, pointed bonnet, is one of the most recognizable of the Dutch traditional costumes, and is often featured on tourist postcards and posters (although there are believed to be fewer than 50 women now wearing the costume as part of their daily lives, most of them elderly). There is a regular ferry connection to Marken, a peninsula close by. Volendam also features a small museum about its history and clothing style, and visitors can have their pictures taken in traditional Dutch costumes (according to Viki). But I did took a picture in the Photo stuido named Zwarthoed, it seems very famous for Indonesian tourist, why ? because I saw several pictures of famous Indonesian such as public figure, the singer who ever taken their picture in Dutch costume here at Zwarthoed, even the lady who help me to dress up the costume can speak a very little Indonesian hmmm because of the guests I guess. I was here in the month of May so at the time it is not feel that cold however it is very windy in the harbour side.
This village is very lively offering the Dutch experience to foreign visitor. i took a walk inside the village, going to the aisle one after another passing by the houses, hmmm it look like in a labyrinth, correct we found the signage that showed this area like in a doll zone *_* houses are very cute here. It is very exciting to be there in the 'labyrinth' I found this area is trully spotless, and in one of the house through the window I can see a kettle with the very familiar colour. I used to see kind of kettle in my childhood, it was similar with the one belongs to my mom long time ago too, wow, in fact I found, this green streak white colour kettle was originally typical Dutch kitchen utensil hmmm well, I just realize that my childhood was very much influenced by dutch tradition and culture already, in so many things that I am aware.
Souvenir Shops, Photo Studios, Restaurants, Bars, Coffee Shops, Guest House are well organized at the harbour side. Anyway, it is cool if we just spending time by having cup of hot cappucino and chit chat to feel the windy and cold sea breeze, that is what I was thinking however at the time there, I tried Herring for the first time here in a Fish & Chips Restaurant of Volendam, well, my cousin, Jeremy, taught me how to eat it hahaha, first He must train me the step how to eat Haring then I finished them by myself lol wow it is cool. Exactly you have to try it when you visit Holland, ok. Owh anyway what is Herring ? Local called it 'Haring' and it is a forage fish, small one. This raw fish has been frozen and then laid with the mild salt herring for couple of days to ripen it, make it tasty for sure, It serves with onion and pickle, for me it is a deliciousi one, lekker. So that is a bit explanation of what i ate at Fish & Chips Volendam restaurant at the harbour side. They also serve a huge protion of fish nugget and there was a tiny little holland flag as a garnish on top of it both in the nugget and haring.
Lastly, I did not try to board the Marken Express boat, so I have nothing to write here about it, I am sorry.
Zo, that is a piece of memeories left about Volendam, I hope I could visit this place again in a future, hmmm think that I must bring a book and reading it there in one of the best harbour view restaurant for coffee, what an earning of relaxing mode on that I can feel now *_*
Here are Few Tips from my point of view:
- It isn't specific but suggested to do a walking inside the village on the harbour side, the doll house look perfects, an exciting one.
- Take the snapshot with the traditional dress in the Zwarthoed Photo Studio, because beside you only can get two formal shots from the photographer, you can take hundred of selfie pictures by using the background in the studio, of course still with the complete dress.
- Do not forget trying to eat Haring here, it probably would be the most experienced one for you (like I had)
Last but not least....here is a part of Rosanne lyric by Nick & Simon
Rosanne ik weet dat er heel veel mannen zijn Elke keer weer een ander en mij doet 't pijn Want jou liefde waarmee jij mij soms verblijdt Wil ik liever liever liever liever voor altijd Jij kan je rust niet vinden jou geest is veel te vrij Jij bent morgen weer anders dan vandaag Jij wilt je nog niet binden maar dat hoeft ook niet van mij Ik wil gewoon die zoen het is al dat ik vraag
.Tot ziens xoxoxo
Note: First picture is my own collection the other 3 pics are taken from Various blog.
I have my own pictures for sure but takes time to look for the memory stick which contained those photo file. it was 5 years ago when I visited this place.
