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These photos of The Hague will show you the city like you’ve never seen it before

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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These photos of The Hague will show you the city like you’ve never seen it before

Amsterdam, Leiden, or Giethoorn are often mentioned as the most scenic towns of the Netherlands. Canals, windmills, and such, we all get that. And Rotterdam is the gritty urban city, for those big town skyline pics and massive modern structures. And then there’s the Hague, which is a bit of an odd duck.

Sure the Peace Palace and the Binnenhof are often photographed, but not many people will label it as that beautiful and awesome city in the Netherlands. So you can imagine our surprise (and pure joy) when we found these shots of The Hague by Kevin Coellner.

Kevin’s been steadily posting gorgeous shots of the city on his Instagram-channel for a while now, the best of which you will find here. And yes, it has all the quintessential photos of The Hague one would expect (only 1000 times better) but we especially liked those photos of The Hague’s ordinary places.

Anyways, enough talk, time to start gazing at these gems:

Yup, that’s that normally ugly shopping street. Image: Kevin Coellner
A long exposure shot of the Scheveningen Pier at sunset. Image: Kevin Coellner
Den Haag Skyline reflection – kind of extraterrestrial. Image: Kevin Coellner
The Hofvijver is always a good candidate for a winning shot. Image: Kevin Coellner
Ah, The Peace Palace on a snow day <3. Image: Kevin Coellner
Hotel des Indes. Image: Kevin Coellner
Sunset shots always steal my heart 🙂 Image: Kevin Coellner
Bang! This guy even makes the shopping street look nice. Image: Kevin Coellner
The Christmas Fair at the Lange Voorhout. So many pretty lights. Image: Kevin Coellner
The Malieveld on a cold day. Image: Kevin Coellner
My favourite, probably adjusted a fair bit, BUT MY GOD WHAT AN AWESOME SHOT. Image: Kevin Coellner
The Kurhaus in Scheveningen (kind of The Hague as well) already is quite impressive, but this photo really makes it magical. Image: Kevin Coellner
De Stijl is always in style. Image: Kevin Coellner
Wow! Image: Kevin Coellner
Love the mirror effect. Image: Kevin Coellner
Even the dark skies look incredible. Image: Kevin Coellner
The futuristic rail thing pops up everywhere. Image: Kevin Coellner
Love this long exposure effect. Image: Kevin Coellner
photos of the Hague
I’m talking about these kinds of shots, normally not such a great scene here. But this is one great photo of the Hague. Image: Kevin Coellner
The North End Palace, at the perfect time of day. Image: Kevin Coellner
Normally the area surrounding The Hague central station isn’t the nicest, but this shot blows our mind. Image: Kevin Coellner

Want to see more of these photos of The Hague?

If you can’t get enough of these pics, and I know I can’t, then you can look up more of these beauties at his Instagram account or on his website. If you want to get anywhere near his level of photography then you’re lucky, he also does free photo tours through The Hague and (soon) also workshops. For more info on that feel free to like his Facebook page.

What did you think of these photos? Totally dreamy? Wanna see more? Let us know in the comments below!

Sunset in The Hague #sunnydays #thehague #turfmarkt #thursdays #sunset #randstad #dutchstreets #netherlands #holland

Een bericht gedeeld door DutchReview (@dutchreview) op

 

“Dr. Chatbot, I have this itch” – The Dutch STD Chatbot

Amalie
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– This Dutch STD Chatbot might be just the help you need – 
 
Do you have concerns about your sexual health?

Have you ever wanted a chat with a Dutch robot about your sex-life?

If so, that dream is one step closer to being realised. Soa Aids Nederland is a Dutch organisation specialised in promoting sexual health and combating HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STD/Is). They’ve now launched a STD chatbot to make it easier for people to talk about concerns regarding their sexual health.

This is to encourage more people to go see their GP or the Netherlands’ Public Health Service (GGD).

The digitalisation of health care: STD Chatbot

 
STD ChatbotIf this seems like a strange idea, it shouldn’t. It’s just another part of a wider trend to digitalise some aspects of health care. This helps increase accessibility and affordability. It also fights stigma surrounding some issues.
 
Indeed, similar initiatives are globally widespread (funny, just like STD’s) such as for mental health services. For example, the free site ‘7 cups of tea’ is a popular one-to-one chat platform where people can also volunteer as ‘listeners’. Many countries have online chat services for medical (and specific sexual) health services. In Sweden, you can consult specialists virtually and even get some diagnoses online.

Who’s the STD Chatbot for? 

The Dutch STD chatbot caters to everyone with internet access, but it is targeted at specific  groups at a higher risk of catching STD/Is. Mainly, these are migrants and gay men. Young people also might benefit a lot, as they’re likely to be less informed and most prone to go online for help, be shy, or to get worried easily.

It’s a really great initiative and fully anonymous. You can just use your laptop or phone to answer some multiple-choice questions. At any point, you can ask the bot a question too. It’s very thorough and asks about whether you’re a woman, man, or transgender, it asks about your partners, it checks whether you were raped, whether you’ve ever been paid for sex, and so on.

Be aware, it doesn’t replace a visit to a human specialist! You should always call or go see your GP if you’re worried. The chatbot also cannot consider every possible health problem, only STD/Is.

But it can be a first step towards reducing embarrassment, advice on self-testing (which is not always reliable!), generally inform the worried, give tips on further resources, and it also might mean people don’t freak out about self-diagnosed chlamydia when it’s actually just an ingrown hair.

The bad news 

The bad news is, STD Chatbot only speaks Dutch. 

That seems a bit silly, given that it’s targeted at people with a migratory background. And as stigma is often high for exactly these groups, they’re unlikely to feel comfortable with grabbing a Dutch-speaker to translate their intimate details.

Possibly, the service will be translated to other languages at some point (it is very new). But it seems an odd oversight.

Another hiccup is that the site is not ideal for mobile users.

All in all though, I think this is a useful initiative by the organisations involved. Would just like to see it translated!

The Cold, the Wet and the King – The Climate in Holland

Bobby Salomons
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The Cold, the Wet and the King – The Climate in Holland

A good, long, hard, sarcastic look at the climate in Holland

Remember those times you ran, bare foot and naked, through tall grass that tickled your belly button while the sun kissed your skin and unicorn foals played with you near the magical river? If so, that certainly wasn’t in Holland as far as the weather’s concerned – and regarding the unicorns and magical river I’d advise a good look at your medication.
Lets be honest, even as a loving Dutchman, Dutch weather sucks eggs. I would’ve said something else than eggs but ‘apparently’ we have young readers too and the SGP-Christian party is always watching and ever vigilant…

Unicorns don’t exist unless you are Kim Jong-Un, ruling World Champion Unicorn Handling.

The weather in the May vacation

Anyway, if you have kids (the non-imagery kind), you may have noticed that right now is what the Dutch call “Meivakantie” – best translated as May Vacation or May Holiday. It’s a merry, merry time in the late days of April and early days of May – otherwise known in other countries as “Spring” but known to the Dutch Weather Gods as “Screw It”, if it were a soft drink it’d be called Diet Autumn. Because every season in Holland is Autumn – this one is just a mild Autumn with less sugar and more chemicals. Still, we’re all kind of addicted to Diet Autumn and we look forward to the next as soon as it’s gone.

It’s also the season that brings parents more than hyperactive kids pushing them to the brink of a nervous breakdown, it also brings us extreme delays at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, high density traffic jams as well as Kings Day and WWII-related May 4th (Remembrance of the Dead” and May 5th (Liberation Day) – all are usually ‘celebrated’ in the meteorologically miserable month of April and the “I’ll-see-what-I-can-do” month of May.

Climate in Holland – We’re sorry Latin Expats

We know that those of you coming from the globe’s more climate-blessed parts are ready to jump out of bed on the first days of April in a shirt, short pants and open shoes. We call those people ‘the deceased’ and we attend their funerals solemnly. In Holland, with high exception, do not expect any warmth those days. Expect grey skies, rain, wind and general cold. You may be pleasantly surprised at times, for about five to ten minutes, but don’t expect to make it through the month on summer warmth. It’s not going to happen and we’re not sorry.

May Maybe?

May isn’t much better when it comes to the climate in Holland, it’s like that old head-mechanic at your local garage – “Oh, you need your car back tomorrow, huh? My oh, my – you must be a busy person. Well… What can I tell you? We’ll try but don’t get your hopes up.” Cool. That’s cool, May – be that way. May is only slightly better than April but not much. May knows that the busy shifts are for June, July and August and that April isn’t making an effort either – why would it try hard? Just sit back, have some coffee and occasionally throw some sunshine and rain around if people really start to complain.

So this year? How’s the climate in Holland so far?

So what about this year? 2017 wasn’t the worst for April, we saw some sunshine (yes, ‘some’) around but nothing that will blow you away. For most of the month it was pretty miserable grey weather and at night we had what we call “Nachtvorst”, Night-Frost, and it was pretty bad some places. Sometimes you’d see a bright sky in the morning, put on your best outfit, jumped outside with a smile and get ambushed by the heartless Dutch cold that had been secretly waiting for you all that time. The bastard.
But wait! What about Kings Day!? The Day of Kings! The King of Days! It has to be good weather on Kings Day, right? Well…

climate in Holland
The Dutch Summer summerized

So the weather on King’s Day will be:

I’m sorry, but it doesn’t look great, not necessarily a total terror but just not great. Predictions are that temperatures won’t reach over 10C, 15C is normal, so we’re actually talking about rather cool day. Unfortunately there will almost definitely be some rainfall, but on the upside the sun will be breaking through multiple times as well – but be sure to wear clothing that’s water tight or that you can pull over your outfit. Take it from a Dutchman, soaking wet and Kings Day don’t go well together when the temperature is ten degrees above popsicle level.
Weather will be best in the West of the country – cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Den-Haag, and lesser in places like Utrecht and worse further East. But before you start packing for Amsterdam or Rotterdam – they are also the most crowded places you will ever see in your life and though police is making maximum effort, pick pockets or worse are also having a great Kings Day in the country’s biggest cities, if you catch my drift.

Expect crowds at least as dense as this in Amsterdam and other big cities. But, the more the merrier, right? ©Inyucho/Flicker

Regardless, Kings Day is almost always an enjoyable day. Personally, I like visiting the more calm parts of Amsterdam to buy my way through the Japanese community’s offerings if not just to enjoy their enthusiasm and spirit, but there’s always something to do for everyone. Parties are everywhere, everyone is looking to have a great time and even the cops let loose a little – there’s still law and order but they’ll let a thing or two slide. Regardless of where you go, everyone is in on it and if they’re not – well, you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life! This isn’t about the weather, the cold, the rain or maybe even hardly about the King – it’s about celebrating Dutchness. Are you in?

Party hard, spend your cash, feel Dutch and if you do see anything suspicious – report it in. Together we can make this a great and save day – regardless of the mercy of the weather.

 

Feel free to share how much you hate the climate in Holland

Pannenkoeken Mania: Dutch Pancakes Invade the World!

Annalisa Galeone
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Pannenkoeken Mania: Dutch Pancakes Invade the World!

How Dutch Pancakes are conquering the world (and warm hearts)

Ever wondered how to conquer the world? Well, a good way is starting from people’s hearts. As William Arthur Ward used to say, “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness”. When you stay in good company and eat tasty food, a smile will come up on your face for sure. This is the secret recipe of the “Dutch Pancake Nights” organised by Robin Vogelaar.

Robin, Me, and a delicious pancake.

What’s a pannenkoek?

Let’s take a step back. What are Dutch pancakes, also known as pannenkoek? Well, it is a sort of crêpe made of flour, eggs, and milk which can be salty or sweet according to the toppings you choose to put on. It is usually eaten by Dutch families on Sundays and is often topped with icing sugar and syrup. In fact, Robin was taught how to prepare pannenkoeken by his grandmother when he was a child.

Robin Vogelaar, The Pancake Hero

But who is Robin Vogelaar? Well, Robin, like his superhero namesake from the DC universe, has a double life. During the week he has a normal job in finance at an ING Bank in Amsterdam, but during the weekend he travels around the world and organises Dutch pancake parties! Everything started a few years ago in Hong Kong where someone offered to cook Chinese food for him. He offered to prepare pannenkoeken in return. This was a big success and people really liked the pancakes and the pleasant atmosphere.

Pancakes and friends, what could ever go wrong?

Since then he hasn’t stopped cooking pancakes for friends and strangers. He has been to India, USA, Japan, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Morocco, Sweden, Spain, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Belgium, and many more countries! He’s a real world citizen. The formula is always the same: he chooses a city in a specific country, he selects a hostel where he can host 100+ people, he creates a Facebook event to invite people to his special party and then word-of-mouth does the rest!

Put on ALL THE TOPPINGS!

Dutch Pancakes Party in Milan

I attended the Dutch Pancake Night organised in Milan in April and it was a really enjoyable party. More than 50 people joined the event and each of them brought the toppings to prepare their own pannenkoeken. I ate a sweet pancake with Nutella and strawberries, and a second one with ham and cheese. Lekker! It was also a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world. It was really a gezellig evening spent eating Dutch pancakes, chatting and getting to know very interesting people!

Dutch Pancakes
A truly international pancake party!

Want to attend one of these Dutch Pancake Nights? Check Robin’s Facebook page “Dutch Pancake Events” to see if he is organising a pannenkoeken party in your country! If you live in the Netherlands you can also attend one of the montly Dutch Pancake Nights in Amsterdam. Don’t forget to check his inspiring TEDx talk here.

Eet smakelijk!

Dutch Nightlife: Boy (12) punches Woman.

Bobby Salomons
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Dutch Nightlife: Boy (12) punches Woman.

So, you think you’ve seen it all after partying for 48 hours straight in the suave, glamorous clubs of Amsterdam or the hard, hip clubs of Rotterdam? Well, think again – if you haven’t been punched in the face by a twelve years old in your favorite club while enjoying some fresh Dutch XTC and a watered down Mojito, you’re a rookie!

It happened, last night, in party town Tilburg at 4:15 in the morning – for some reason, we’re not sure what, a twelve years old boy got into a heated argument with a woman twice his age (25) and settled it by clogging her on the kisser. The boy was apprehended by police, by means of camera surveillance, and arrested on charges of assault.
His mother, who was under the ‘impression’ that he was having a sleepover at his cousin, was completely shocked by his nightly mischief. The juvenile culprit himself vehemently denies throwing punches and claims to have merely pushed the lady after she scratched him in the face.

Here at DutchReview News Department we are wildly interested in just about everything that involves this story – was he a regular to the club? Were they flirting? Did he lose it after he found out she was merely leading him on? How many successful ‘sleepovers’ did he have before getting caught? How did he even get in? What was she drinking? What was he drinking? Was his mother drinking? Did the cops get a drink afterwards? Are you drinking?

Of course, in the end, the event is as disturbing as it is unique or ‘entertaining’ – an extremely young child found his way into a nightlife that is certainly not save for kids. We hope that this was a one time event and that measures will be taken to steer the boy in the right direction and that the club, and its bouncers, will keep a better eye out. Party on.

What’s your craziest party story in the Netherlands? Share it in the Facebook post!

Holland’s Ultimate Party Town ©Toblas Akerboom/Flickr (Original)

Featured Image – ©Bruce Turner/Flickr

There’s a HUGE feast coming to the Netherlands (and it’s not King’s day)

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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0
There’s a HUGE feast coming to the Netherlands (and it’s not King’s day)

Feyenoord will be Champions and it’s going to be YUGE

 

An epic Football Sunday for all ‘Feyenoorders’ saw Feyenoord beat Vitesse and PSV beat Ajax. There are a thousands of things that could be said but the most important of all is that Feyenoord has the chance to grab the league title at the 7th of May against small city brother Excelsior. And when that happens (90% chance, conservative estimate) Rotterdam will be the scene of one epic celebration party (and probably some epic riots as well, but let’s stay positive).

The Coolsingel in 1999 at the last celebrations

What’s happening in the Dutch league?

Feyenoord just won against Vitesse today with 0-2, Ajax were beaten by PSV Eindhoven by 1-0. It was a nervous week for all Feyenoord-minded people (this is not a neutral editor btw) but that all is over now since Feyenoord just needs 3 measly points in the upcoming two matches to grab that title. And since both games are fairly easy: one against Excelsior, a club which was literally sponsored by Feyenoord for many years – the whole stadium will be filled with Feyenoord-supporters. And if they don’t win that one there’s always the home game against Heracles. So for anybody who has a basic understanding of Dutch Football and math it’s clear that Feyenoord will be the champion this year.

Why a title for Feyenoord will be celebrated so hard

 

So ‘big deal’ you might think right? A few thousand people will see the game, have some beer and celebrate – ‘nothing on the hand’ one might think. Wrong! It’s going to be huge, way bigger than any recently inaugural event by far.

This was it in 1999, sorry for the low quality-images, it’s a while back:

And this is not even showing the biggest riots in the Netherlands of the last decades that followed after the celebrations. Feyenoord has a massive and extremely devoted following, for so long their supporters have been waiting for such a succes. And even when succes was had in 2002 when Feyenoord won the UEFA cup celebrations weren’t in order since Pim Fortuyn was just assassinated 2 days before. 

So now it’s going to be a crazy day in Rotterdam the 7th, one way or the other, and let’s hope it will stay friendly as well. You might not want to plan that shopping-trip with your mum that day, but if you want to see a football-crazy city celebrating like they just won everything they ever wanted then Rotterdam will be the place to be!

 

 

Could King Willem Alexander handle a Hipster Moustache?

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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The Dutch have been pushing for a facial-hair-having monarch since his ascension to the throne back in ’13. And with him turning 50 this year wouldn’t it be a great idea for him to get a nicely coiffured look?

The royal could certainly handle it as you can all see in this concoction by the AD:

 

Yeah a bearded hipster look is one that #kingwillemalexander could definitely rock this #Kingsday (from the AD)

Een bericht gedeeld door DutchReview (@dutchreview) op


 

But to be realistic, a 5 o’clock shadow is probably the best/beardiest we’re going to get this week.

Understanding the Strange Dutch Online Gambling Laws

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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Countries around the world are grappling with the best way to handle the world of online gambling, but the Netherlands appears to be having more problems than most.

Perhaps surprisingly for a nation known for its liberal attitude in certain areas, the Netherlands has been very slow to catch up to the rest of the world in legalising gambling.

Betting is legal in the Netherlands, but only companies with a local license are able to operate freely, while gambling is restricted tightly to games of chance only. With the country restricting the granting of licenses to local betting firms, the sector is unusual.

The attitude towards gambling taken by the Netherlands government has been similar to the recent changes in Australia, where it was announced last year that only companies with a local license will be able to run gambling websites legally.

That was widely assumed to be a backwards step, but at least the Netherlands has shown it intends to make progress in this industry over the coming years.

What is the current law regarding gambling in the Netherlands?

Netherlands-based companies can run casino websites and sports betting sites in the country as long as they have a license.

However, firms based outside the country are barred from doing so, which means that European giants such as William Hill and Betfair are effectively locked out of operating.

This is only the start of how strange the gambling laws are in the Netherlands, though. No advertising of betting firms – whether it is through radio, television or print media – is allowed. This is in stark contrast with the UK, as an example, where television broadcasting of high level sports is dominated by advertising and sponsorships for a range of gambling companies.

Gambling in the Netherlands has long been governed by the Games of Chance Act – known as Wet op de Kansspelen in the local language – but the law is no longer fit for purpose.

The rapid rise of the internet, coupled with the stunning growth of smartphone technology, means people now have the capability to place a bet or have a game of poker with a device that fits in the palm of their hand.

While the laws in the Netherlands prohibit companies from running poker rooms and other online gambling games, this does not mean it does not happen. There are countless sites offering these services to Dutch people, with the government unable to stop them.

Dutch Parliament considering changes to online gambling news

The good news is that changes to the outdated Netherlands gambling regulations are on the way, with the Dutch Parliament currently considering whether or not to pass a new bill.

Online gambling on sports, casino games and poker games is all covered by the proposed legislation, meaning individuals in the country will no longer be restricted to games of chances.

Restrictions will still be in place, though, with companies wishing to operate in the online gambling in the Netherlands still needing to apply for a local license to do so. Guidance issued by the Dutch Gaming Authority offers further insight into what firms will have to do.

“The applicant must comply with certain requirements, such as informing on dangers of gambling addiction, requesting player identification and implementing transparency provisions to counter money laundering,” said the body, which will grand licenses for a period of five years.

Dutch online gambling will likely see significant growth as a result. If you want know more about playing at online casinos from the Netherlands, the best are listed here – good luck!

 

Why has it taken so long to update gambling legislation?

Progress with the legislation was affected by the 2017 Dutch general election, which did not have a clear result and required lengthy negotiations before a coalition could be formed. The Remote Gaming Bill, which has been in the pipeline since 2013, is now with the Senate.

Legislation is expected to be passed at some point in the near future, but for now gambling companies wishing to operate in the Netherlands remain somewhat in a state of flux.

It is particularly odd that the Netherlands has what appears to be very restrictive gambling legislation as the country is regarded as one of the most liberal in the whole of Europe. The use of drugs such as marijuana is legal in the country, which also allows prostitution too.

The freedom to legally take drugs in coffee shops and pay for sex has attracted a lot of people to visit the Netherlands over the years and it seems perverse that people living in the country are not able to partake in a game of poker played via the internet legally at the present time.

What will happen next for gambling legislation in the Netherlands?

Generally speaking, once gambling laws have been relaxed in any country in the world, this often paves the way to further changes being made to the regulations in the future.

Australia of course is the exception here, with the country taking measures to restrict foreign operators from being able to run online gambling websites in the country.

While it has taken a long time for the proposed changes to Dutch gambling laws to even get this far – and remember they have not been passed yet, although an introduction at the beginning of 2019 has been suggested – it seems likely that more updates will follow.

The Dutch government will see a large rise in revenues as a result of the levies placed on gambling companies, with this money providing a boost to the state’s finances. The last report from the Netherlands Gaming Authority, published in 2015, showed the gross gaming revenue of the legal gaming industry stood at two billion euros, a figure that is ready to grow fast.

Once that money is being collected it is hard to turn down in the future and the government may elect to relax laws further to allow it to take in even more in revenues from the gambling sector.

 

Best Night Out in Utrecht

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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Best Night Out in Utrecht

The city of Utrecht is the fourth largest in the Netherlands but very few people fully appreciate the full range of night time activities and attractions that can be found there. Let us help you get a better understanding of just what this beautiful city can offer when the sun goes down.

 

Holland Casino Utrecht

What better way to get a feel of a casino’s spirit than visiting its local casino? Holland Casino Utrecht is ideally located and will give you an insight into how the locals act in an environment when the emotions can reach such extreme highs and lows. It is also a superb venue for an entertaining night out with the opportunity to hit some jackpots and take down the house.

To add some spice to proceedings, the Netherlands recently legalized online gambling so it is possible to access an online casino before heading out to get some practice in before hitting the casino floor. A range of classic casino table games and online slots are readily available so you can be truly prepared when hitting Holland Casino for an unforgettable night out.

 

Walk Along Oudegracht Canal

It has often been said that Utrecht is the “Venice of the Netherlands”. The stunningly beautiful canal system allows for romantic walks in the day time and at night. When the stars are out the serenity offered by the waterways are unmatched by any other city in the low lands.

The Oudegracht is the main canal that curves along the main flow of the Rhine. Two-level streets along some of the canals give a unique architecture and layout that will take your breath away. Whether you want to start your evening with a quick walk along these canals or finish it with a quiet stroll to wind down, the mood is what you make it. Peace and calm are a guarantee. You do not even need to be with a partner to appreciate the tranquillity on offer.

 

Trajectum Lumen

Some things you can see better in the light but others you see more clearly in the dark. Trajectum Lumen is a route of light displays in Utrecht that are quite simply mesmerizing. The light display is described as a tribute to Utrecht’s rich history. A past that stretches back to 50 AD when the Romans built a settlement camp at Domplein.

 

Trajectum Lumen displays some of the most articulate light work in the world

Trajectum Lumen is visible 365 days a year and can be seen from sunset until midnight every night. The route passes through the city’s historical centre with visual artwork at its heart. The displays run from the Vredenburg district around the city and displays some light works by a number of nationally and internationally recognized light artists. Ever since the Trajectum Lumen was installed back in 2010 it has given Utrecht a unique appeal and is a must-visit for any tourist stopping by the city.

  

‘t Oude Pothuys

One of the shining lights of Utrecht’s culture is its night life. The interestingly named ‘t Oude Pothuys is a fine example of how exquisite the night time venues around the city can be. The venue’s origins can be traced back to 1981 when brothers Peter and Ruud van der Zuidwind came up with the concept of the now highly-reputed live music joint.

‘t Oude Pothuys is Utrecht night life at its absolute finest

 

If you are searching online for reviews of this place then a certain number of words will repeat themselves in the search engine. “Cosy”, “cool”, and “friendly” as well as a range of superlatives that praise the atmosphere and quality of the food, drink, and musical performances. This venue stops short of being quirky but maintains a sense of individuality in a market that is becoming increasingly sanitized by chains and gimmicks. Locals tout this as a venue they are proud to call their own. However, it welcomes in tourists as if they belong to the community. Rarely do you find such a blend of music, food, drink, and culture that works so effectively. If you miss visiting here then you really have missed out.

 

FC Utrecht @ Stadion Galgenwaard

Professional football club FC Utrecht currently play their football in the Dutch Eredivisie, the top flight of Dutch football, and the club is enjoying a positive period in its history. The club has been established since 1970 and plays its home matches at the 24,426 capacity Stadion Galgenwaard which boasts one of the best atmospheres in Dutch club football. Despite the club not being involved in European football competition there is still plenty of opportunity to sample the electric atmosphere of the Utrecht fans when they are playing in a domestic competition.

The atmosphere at Stadion Galgenwaard for a night game is unrivalled across Europe

 

Throughout the season, FC Utrecht have a number of home matches scheduled at night. It is possible that they could play one of the great Dutch club sides such as Ajax, PSV, or Feyenoord. If you get the chance to experience one of these matches under the floodlights then it will be something you cannot afford to miss. The club has a number of talented prospects on its books this season such as Richairo Zivkovic, Nacer Barazite and Sebastien Haller. Even for tourists that are not fans of football, this is a unique experience to savour.

 

Dutch "officer of justice" under investigation for pedophilia

DutchReview Crew
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Dutch "officer of justice" under investigation for pedophilia

It’s been a pretty bad week for Dutch justice, with two stories reflecting negatively on the institution. The “Volkskrant” reported yesterday that a Dutch officer of justice has been caught paying for sex with a minor. The underage prostitute was 16 and the officer of the court has been taken into custody pending his trial. Today it was reported that around 8.000 fugitives with less than a two month stretch to their name roam the Netherlands freely.

 

So much for that ‘Dutch prisons are totally empty because there is no crime’ myth

 

Before 2003 the Netherlands had a system where we’d only prosecute automatically if the child in question was younger than 12 years old. If not prosecution would only follow a complaint by the child, parents or the Council for Childrens protection. Currently, thank God (though priests may not), these rules are more in line with protecting the kids in question. Apparently it’s not just famous sandwich icons who molest children. Let’s hope the officer of justice sees justice done to him.

The Volkskrant also reports that there are 11.000 fugitives with prison sentences yet to be fulfilled walking around freely. Of these 11.000 fugitives, 8.000 have less than two months of sentences on their name. According to the article about 60% of these fugitives have committed crimes without violence, such as stealing from a store. 13% are involved in drug crimes. The article claims that this is due to the Dutch police’s focus on felony crimes rather than misdemeanors. Still, not a good looking thing.

Though these two events reflect negatively on Dutch justice, statistics show that we are not doing terribly in the crime department. In 2016 our Central Bureau of Statistics found that crime had dropped by 5% compared to the year before. Home invasions dropped by 7%. Though this might also be due to the low chance of actually getting arrested for a crime in the Netherlands, which some claim leads to less people going to the police when they are victims of a crime.

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