A Day Off in The Hague & Leiden: Museums, Spring Blooms, and Ramen!

Breakfast Date at Ted's Restaurant

My friend and I had a breakfast date at Ted’s in Leiden. The sun was shining, a perfect blue sky overhead; it felt like the ideal start to the day. I, ever the punctual one, arrived a little early, finding myself already happily anticipating the meal ahead.

Ted's is a charming spot, clearly popular for brunch and breakfast. They offered a wide variety of options; it was hard to choose! I can't recall exactly what I ordered, but I remember it being delicious and satisfying, a perfect way to fuel up for more exploring. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly; I felt instantly comfortable.

Early Signs of Spring in the Netherlands

February was nearly over, and yesterday's walk revealed something quite surprising: early signs of spring were already appearing! Coming from Finland, where February usually means a full-blown winter, this was a real eye-opener. The lengthening daylight hours were the most obvious sign; even at 6 PM, there was still plenty of light, a welcome change from the perpetual dusk I'm used to.

My friend and I later visited the Hortus Botanicus, Leiden's botanical gardens, one of my favorite spots in the city. It's always different depending on the season, a real testament to the passing of time. Even in early spring, the variety of life was astonishing; I even spotted a beautiful flower I couldn't identify – if you know what it is, please let me know in the comments! The cherry blossom trees were a particular point of interest; I was skeptical, hoping they weren’t blooming prematurely, given my March plans centered around cherry blossoms. However, at least one tree was already in full bloom, a slight cause for concern.

A Ramen Cooking Workshop Experience

After a delightful breakfast, my friend and I embarked on a culinary adventure: a ramen cooking workshop. The anticipation was high, fueled by both hunger and the promise of learning a new skill. We arrived, however, to find a rather long wait; we seemed to be the last in a long queue.

Finally, our turn arrived! The workshop itself was a fun, hands-on experience, guiding us through each step of ramen creation. From preparing the broth to assembling the perfect bowl, it was surprisingly engaging. The final result? Delicious, homemade ramen – a testament to our (and the instructor's) hard work. We lingered afterwards, enjoying the fruits of our labor along with a sweet Japanese pancake and soy sauce ice cream – a truly unexpected but delightful dessert.

A Sunny Day and a Change of Plans

The sun was blazing, a perfect, cloudless blue sky overhead. It felt criminal to spend such a glorious day cooped up in a museum. My original plan? A visit to a museum of Egyptian history and archaeology. The irony wasn't lost on me: here I was, craving sunshine, contemplating a day spent amidst dusty sarcophagi.

A quick peek inside revealed a surprisingly crowded interior. The sheer number of visitors sealed my decision. My friend and I were already near Leiden's Hortus Botanicus, the botanical gardens. Spontaneity won; we abandoned the museum for a sunny afternoon stroll amidst blooming flowers and vibrant greenery.

The Hortus Botanicus, one of my favorite spots in Leiden, never disappoints. It's a kaleidoscope of life, constantly shifting with the seasons. Even in early spring, the variety was astonishing. I stumbled upon a beautiful, unidentified flower – if you know what it is, please share in the comments! – and the cherry blossoms were a particular point of interest, though their early bloom was a slight cause for concern.

Exploring the Leiden Botanical Garden

The sun blazed, a perfect, cloudless sky overhead. It felt criminal to spend such a glorious day cooped up in a museum, especially one dedicated to dusty sarcophagi! My initial plan, a visit to the Egyptian museum, was swiftly abandoned. A quick peek inside revealed a surprisingly crowded interior; the decision to opt for a sun-drenched afternoon was sealed.

The Hortus Botanicus, Leiden's botanical gardens, was a welcome alternative. It’s always a treat, constantly changing with the seasons. Even in early spring, the variety of life was astonishing. I was particularly captivated by the cherry blossoms; their premature bloom, however, was a slight cause for concern, given my March plans centred around these delicate beauties.

My explorations yielded another unexpected delight: a stunning, unidentified flower. If anyone knows what it is, please enlighten me in the comments! The garden itself was a kaleidoscope of colors and textures, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. It was the perfect way to spend a beautiful day.

What was the author's overall impression of the Panorama Mesdag Museum?

While the author found the museum generally underwhelming, the panoramic painting in the Panorama room was breathtaking and almost made the trip worthwhile. The atmosphere was tranquil due to the predominantly elderly crowd.

How did the author's experience at the M.C. Escher Museum differ from the Panorama Mesdag Museum?

The author found the M.C. Escher Museum far more stimulating and engaging than the Panorama Mesdag Museum. They praised the museum's beautiful building and the mind-bending, clever optical illusions in Escher's artwork.

What unexpected discovery did the author make regarding the arrival of spring in the Netherlands?

The author, accustomed to a full winter in Finland during February, was surprised to find early signs of spring in the Netherlands, including longer daylight hours and the early bloom of some cherry blossom trees, which caused some concern about future plans.