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The Netherlands is a small country of 16 million people, but it boasts a quarter of a million competitive speedskaters, and millions more who skate for fun. What's the story? Natural ice in the Netherlands is a rare occurrence. In fact, some winters there's no natural ice at all. Maybe that explains why the Dutch love to skate outdoors. They hardly ever get the chance! But when a cold wave hits, and the interconnected maze of canals, rivers and lakes freeze over, it's a spontaneous celebration, a national holiday. It's been 12 years since there could be ice skating on the Gouwsea. Ice skating can be done from Monnickendam to Marken and from Marken to Volendam. Infinite sea of ice is perfect for ice skating journeys. Besides ice skating Dutch also love Ice yachting. This is the sport of sailing and racing iceboats and is very popular in the Netherlands. Ice boats are racing at a speed of 100 km an hour over the ice of the Gouwsea.
Photo taken in the busy harbor of Monnickendam. A historical moment since crossing the Gouwsea by skates is such a rare occurrence. Crossing this Gouwzee was last possible in 1996. Today I skate from Monnickendam to Marken, such a beautiful sea of ice to enjoy. Here I arrived back in the cosy harbor of Monnickendam at sunset time.
Op 11 Januari 2009 een schaatstocht gemaakt rond de Gouwzee van Monnickendam - Volendam - Marken - Monnickendam. Tot mijn verbazing was de Gouwzee helemaal dichtbevroren en dit is in geen 12 jaar meer gebeurd. Dus echt een historische ijstocht gemaakt. Een groot ijsoppervlakte tussen Monnickendam en Marken met prima ijs. Een oneindig mooi gezicht op deze ijszee anno 2009. Het was genieten. Jong en oud staan op het ijs, zelfs koek en zopie is present voor de Lange Brug in de haven van Monnickendam. Er kon zelfs 's avonds geschaats worden want het Markerveerhuis hadden veel aandacht besteed aan de belichting. Ook zijn er weer ijszeilers te zien. Met spectaculaire snelheden van wel 80 tot 100 kilometer per uur razen ze over bevroren meren en plassen: ijszeilers hebben deze dagen de tijd van hun leven.
horstgeorg, dwwid, ` Andrew PL, Sarvpriya Dewan/SD, and 720 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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oozhan 17 months ago | reply
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Christian Wilt 14 months ago | reply
beautiful scenery
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clevernails 14 months ago | reply
Beautiful capture...I like that nice gold color.
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lwtt93 14 months ago | reply
Well done! seen on :
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AJL in Chicago 14 months ago | reply
Absolutely fantastic work!
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toryporter (back... never catching up!) 14 months ago | reply
This picture has been removed from Better Than Good Level 1 since it has people in it. Please read the rules -- "Any image containing people (no matter how small the people are) will be removed" -- this includes silhouettes and body parts.
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harryja 12 months ago | reply
I saw this in the 700+ Faves group and Faved it.
Tony Gálvez 7 months ago | reply
Splendid silhouettes against the low sun.
Ciska van Geer 3 months ago | reply
schitterend sfeerbeeld