Al

My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
luggage.

Thanks in advance,

- Al

Immerloo

"maybe jonge kaas"
"maybe oude kaas"
"no wooden shoes "
"no tulips"
"no windmil"
"catch dutch air in a Grolsch bottle - like Berliner Luft years ago"

have a nice trip

"Al" schreef in bericht
news:MPG.194152204ab9d6009896b8@mayonews...
    | My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    | second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    | there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    | there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    | freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    | speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    | to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    | luggage.
    |
    | Thanks in advance,
    |
    | - Al

Peter L

"I will have everything I need when you come back."


"Al" wrote in message
news:MPG.194152204ab9d6009896b8@mayonews...
    > My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    > second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    > there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    > there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    > freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    > speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    > to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    > luggage.
    > Thanks in advance,
    > - Al

John Bermont

Al wrote:
    >
    > My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    > second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    > there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    > there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    > freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    > speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    > to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    > luggage.
    >
    > Thanks in advance,
    >
    > - Al

Boer kaas (farmers cheese)
Genever (Dutch "gin")
Cigars (Sumatra tobac, coronas or wilde havanas)
Mustard
Haaring (get it raw and freeze overnight for the return flight)
Antique silver items (jewelers)
Art posters (Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam)
Refriferator magnet thingies (Shhiphol Airport Gift Shops)
Chocholates (Schiphol Airport Shops)
Wooden shoes (why not?)

John Bermont
--
------------------------------------------------------
* * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
------------------------------------------------------

Yves Bellefeuille

On Fri, 30 May 2003, Al wrote:

    > My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    > second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    > there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    > there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    > freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    > speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    > to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    > luggage.

Since you don't mention where you are, I'll assume you're in the US.

I can't think of any gadgets available in The Netherlands that aren't
also available in the US. I agree with the suggestions of food and drink
made by others, in particular _genever_ (Dutch gin) or _stroopwafels_ (a
kind of cookie; sorry, I probably mispelled it).

Real Dutch tulips and tulip bulbs are a favorite with my family and my
friends, but make sure that bulbs have the certificate that lets you
bring them back to the US. Any vendor should be able to help you with
this.

--
Yves Bellefeuille , Ottawa, Canada
Francais / English / Esperanto
Esperanto FAQ: http://www.esperanto.net/veb/faq.html
Rec.travel.europe FAQ: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/travel/europe/faq

Wolfgang Schwanke

Al wrote in
news:MPG.194152204ab9d6009896b8@mayonews:

    > I tend to be a gadget freak

I have this electrically lighted model windmill. When you crank it, it
plays "Tulips from Amsterdam" while rotating its wings.

Regards

--
Gültig für alle Staaten und Westberlin

http://www.wschwanke.de/

Immerloo

listen to "Tulips from Amsterdam"

http://www.immerloo.freeler.nl/tulips.html

!and rotate your wings!




"Wolfgang Schwanke" schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
    | Al wrote in
    | news:MPG.194152204ab9d6009896b8@mayonews:
    |
    | > I tend to be a gadget freak
    |
    | I have this electrically lighted model windmill. When you crank it, it
    | plays "Tulips from Amsterdam" while rotating its wings.
    |
    | Regards
    |
    | --
    | Gültig für alle Staaten und Westberlin
    |
    | http://www.wschwanke.de/

Miguel Cruz

Yves Bellefeuille wrote:
    > I can't think of any gadgets available in The Netherlands that aren't
    > also available in the US. I agree with the suggestions of food and drink
    > made by others, in particular _genever_ (Dutch gin) or _stroopwafels_ (a
    > kind of cookie; sorry, I probably mispelled it).

You spelled it correctly. That would have been my suggestion too. Also other
snacks and a nice cheese. Every winter when I go to the Netherlands, people
here in DC give me a long list of requests, and they're all from the cookie
aisle of the supermarket.

I think trying to find gadgets would be a waste of time; any interesting
gadgets found there would be interesting only because of local systems they
interacted with, and wouldn't function in the USA. Anything that works in
the USA can be found cheaper there.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam

Surreyman

Al wrote in message
news:MPG.194152204ab9d6009896b8@mayonews...
    > My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    > second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    > there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    > there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    > freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    > speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    > to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    > luggage.
    > Thanks in advance,
    > - Al

We've always found that Dutch interior design is way ahead - large
department stores (Vroom & Dreesman etc.) have marvellous departments with
really imaginative ornaments, fittings, etc. We bring back hanging baskets
(2/3 levels with 'bamboo' chains) which are always well received gifts in
the UK - as are the rope monkeys that can cling to them! We now have
numerous Dutch 'things' in our home and, although some are now 30 years old,
most gain appreciative interest for their novelty & style.

Surreyman

Jack Walraven

Egg cups from which to eat your soft-boiled eggs. Also, get some tiny spoons
to go with them.

Jack


"Al" wrote in message
news:MPG.194152204ab9d6009896b8@mayonews...
    > My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    > second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    > there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    > there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    > freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    > speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    > to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    > luggage.
    > Thanks in advance,
    > - Al

Derek McBryde

On Fri, 30 May 2003 12:34:30 -0500, Al
wrote:

    >My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    >second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    >there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    >there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    >freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    >speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    >to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    >luggage.
    >Thanks in advance,
    >- Al

I love those syrup biscuity thingggies. Sort of waffle texture. I
have seen them occasionally in UK (imported from Netherlands) but
they are not common in UK

I once bought a small garlic gouda(?) cheese from a cheese farm. I
wish I had bought tons of it.

Perhaps a nice screen saver with Van Gogh paintings from the Van Gogh
museum (or jigsaw puzzle or mouse mat etc). Places like Van Gogh
Museum or Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will have lots of nice souvenirs.

If your wife is going to Delft then there are some very attractive
delft wares (but they are expensive).

Haarlem has a great shop with items for Dolls houses ( if you are into
that sort of thing). Also the Corrie Ten Boom museum in Haarlem is
worth visiting and she can buy you some of Corrie Ten Boom's books (
if you are into that sort of thing). The books aren't unique to
Netherlands of course but perhaps more meaningful by association?

If you have a yard, she might have some bulbs sent to you.

OTOH you could say to your wife " the best present you could give me
Dear is to enjoy yourself and not spend time looking for things for
me" . There is nothing worse than being asked for something specific
and spending a lot of time trying to find it )

Derek

Rosie Miller

In article , [email protected] (Yves Bellefeuille)
writes:

    >Real Dutch tulips and tulip bulbs are a favorite with my family and my
    >friends, but make sure that bulbs have the certificate that lets you
    >bring them back to the US. Any vendor should be able to help you with
    >this.

I agree with the bulbs, it is a lot of fun to go to.. the Blomenmarket.( Yes, I
know the spelling is probably waaaay off )and choose the bulbs, theyhave other
bulbs too, and even some seeds, tell them it is for export and they will give
you the stamp on the bulbs, if you do not want to carry them around with you,
you can buy them at the airport, but more expensive.
Rosie

Yves Bellefeuille

On 31 May 2003, [email protected] (Rosie Miller) wrote:

    > I agree with the bulbs, it is a lot of fun to go to.. the Blomenmarket.( Yes, I
    > know the spelling is probably waaaay off )and choose the bulbs, theyhave other
    > bulbs too, and even some seeds, tell them it is for export and they will give
    > you the stamp on the bulbs, if you do not want to carry them around with you,
    > you can buy them at the airport, but more expensive.

I think that the stamp you mention is to get a VAT refund. You also need
a certificate stating the the bulbs are free of disease, otherwise you
won't be allowed to bring them back in the US. (However, Canadian
customs are usually satisfied when they're told that the bulbs are from
The Netherlands; they don't usually ask to see the certificate.)

--
Yves Bellefeuille , Ottawa, Canada
Francais / English / Esperanto
Esperanto FAQ: http://www.esperanto.net/veb/faq.html
Rec.travel.europe FAQ: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/travel/europe/faq

Al

In article ,
[email protected] says...

Thanks for the great ideas everybody. She should be touching down in 5
minutes. I'll try to show some restraint and keep my request list short
and sweet (pun intended) :-)

- Al

Jeroen

In article ,
[email protected] says...
    > My wife will be travelling in the Netherlands for a week. At the last
    > second it was determined that I wouldn't be able to go, but she asked if
    > there's anything I'd like her to bring back. Not having ever been
    > there, I'm not really sure what to ask for. I tend to be a gadget
    > freak, but I'd be open to any suggestions along the lines of Dutch
    > speciality items - well, maybe not wooden shoes :-). We'd probably need
    > to assume it's something she could reasonably carry in her checked
    > luggage.

Only gadget we have and you don't is a "kaasschaaf" then again, you may
not qualify it as gadget since it's non-electric.

--
Met vriendelijke groeten/Best regards
Jeroen Wijnands
http://spam.pagina.nl