The Dutch love the beach. Such a small country, yet because of it's great location on the North Sea, the Netherlands has miles and miles of wide beautiful beaches. I've written about them before here, here, here and here.
Last weekend (when it actually felt like July in the Netherlands...now it's more akin to October), Gabriel, Christian, and I took the train to Zandvoort Beach. We had just gotten back from Mallorca, and basking in the hot Dutch sun seemed like a nice way to ease us back to reality.
The beach was the busiest I've ever seen it, with almost every inch of sand taken up by sun-bathers. To the boys' delight, most of the women on the beach were topless. Dutch people are notorious sun-worshippers, and most people here seem to have such beautiful golden tans against their flaxen-hair. Unfortunately, the country also has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
Mango's Beachbar, ZandvoortAfter a great afternoon relaxing and swimming in the sea, we decided to go to my favourite spot on the beach, Mango's Beachbar. In front of the looming dunes on the beach, you will find beachbar after beachbar. Mango's is great because it has the feeling of a Cuban broken-down bar. It's shabby chic in the most perfect mix. If you didn't know it, you'd actually feel like you were in the Caribbean.
They serve some great tapas, as well as Mexican food. I guess it's a mix of all Latin countries? We really loved snacking on the nachos, dates, and shrimp while sipping mojitos! From the faux-crumbling walls, to the white and turquoise peeling furniture, Mango's is a slice of paradise. They have huge beachbeds and loungers set up, and numerous seating arrangements so that everyone can have a place to relax. They were playing Mana, a popular Mexican band back in the 90's, and a wedding was taking place in one of the buildings at the bar.
We were planning on going back to the beach this weekend, but with this chilly rainy weather, I guess Mango's will have to wait.
Click here to visit their website.
11 comments:
You should definitely check out Zara!
You travel and beach pictures are so amazing. I'm so jealous you are abroad, I reaaaally want to go back!
How is your Dutch? Afrikaans is the easiest language I've ever learnt so can't imagine Dutch is too far off?
Gorgeous beaches!!!
Vivian - I think a trip to Zara is definitely in order. It may make me feel more summery...Being abroad is amazing. I'm sad to think that one day I will have to return to North America. Everything is so fresh and new when you're abroad. You see something new everyday...
Sarah - My Dutch is ok. I can understand 70% of conversations, if people speak slowly, and I can read very well. When it comes to speaking, however, I'm horrible! I know lots of vocabulary, but still struggle stringing it together.
I haven't tried Tapas yet but most restaurants that offer them are quite expensive in Montreal.
What kind of women go topless? Hot ones? Or everybody?
I love going to Cuban restaurants and having tapas! .....HEY put the sunscreen on :)
Sounds like a really cool place to hang out. Think I need to pay it a visit.
I should mention this to MK. Can you believe it? Ive spent two summers in Netherlands and never gone to the beach, to think that our place is closest to one.
ANyway, thanks for sharing this H. WHen you come from the tropics, posts like these really make you feel good, that somehow, a lil bit of home can still be found here.
The photo are fabs like usual and the place looks great. Would note this down if I travel to Amsterdam again :)
Bluefish - Tapas are very popular here in the Netherlands. There are some expensive ones, but we've managed to find quite a few really yummy cheap restaurants in our neighbourhood! In Spain, it seemed like only elderly overweight women were topless, but in the Netherlands it was all younger women.
Iva - Don't worry, my boyfriend is the "sunscreen patrol" and doesn't let anyone go without it!
Carla - It's great for a sunny day of relaxation!
Pinay - You've never been to the beach?! You absolutely have got to visit, the beaches are beautiful!
the writer - Yes it's a great place to visit if you are looking to get out of the city for a daytrip!
Thank you for commenting everyone, and enjoy your weekends!
Looks so relaxing!
oooo I was just in Zandvoort (see? I burnt my ass: http://tinyurl.com/nl48q7) but missed this bar! Will have to go back and check it out! Looks lovely!
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