Scheveningen Fisherman's Wife and World Peace in Den Haag

A spur-of-the-moment decision after walking the cobbled streets of Delft, took us all the way to the most popular beach in the Netherlands, Scheveningen in Den Haag (The Hague) and a surpise stop at the end of the day.

We were staying in an Airbnb in Gouda and the best route option from there to Delft, at the time, were two trains via Rotterdam, then onto The Hague, a hop onto a tram and a bus.

We travelled on trains, trams, buses, and on foot that day, many steps I must add!

Gouda to Delft by public transportd
^{Image from Google Maps}

Yep, this was all in one day, with a lot of sighseeing, enjoying Dutch cuisine and a little souvenier shopping in between.

Delft to Scheveningen by public transport
^{Image from Google Maps}

It was a lovely balmy day when we left Delft, but I did tell you just how quickly the weather changes here not so!
Nothing was going to stop us though, we were almost there, had jumped from a tram onto a bus to Scheveningen Haven, and weren't planning on sunbathing, or swimming after all!

A chilly wind was blowing by the time we walked along the Scheveningen promenade, perfect for wind-surfing, and there were a couple of windsurfers out on the waters having a whale of a time.

The 'kids' headed straight for shelter to get something hot to drink and escape the blustery wind.

I walked a bit further to admire the statue of The Fisherman's Wife, had quite a battle with the wind to steady my phone, so please excuse some fuzzy images.

This statue is a tribute to not only the fishermen, but also the residents of Scheveningen who served in the Navy, and tragically lost their lives during the Second World War.

The fisherman's wife is gazing out at sea, waiting for her loved ones to return. ^{I totally get that, there's a little part of me that still wants to believe my loved one will return, as crazy as it may sound!}
There were beautiful floral bouquets laid around the statue, which I later learned was part of an annual commemoration by a service in the local Oude Kerk. A poem by Inge Lievaart is recited, followed by a wreath-laying.

The sea, which continues taking
Will one day give back
All who never returned
To him who escaped first
The Lord of wind and water
To Christ the Victor.

A little further along the promenade.

Across the road from the statue, on the corner of Keizerstraat and Zeekant, is the beautiful neo-Renaissance style building, bearing a plaque Anno 1882. This used to be the Hotel Zeerust, with an extension added in 1912 in the same architectural style. This former hotel played an important role in the history of Scheveningen, and now is a protected Municipal Monument.

Although we were disappointed that the strong wind prevented us from exploring this famous beach, there's always a next time, and the statue gave us much food for thought.

We had a long walk back to public transport, took the wrong turn at one point, had to reroute on foot, till we found a tram, and then a bus, or was it the other way around!

I was thrilled when one of our changeovers were right outside the Vredespaleis, Peace Palace in The Hague, and even though there were angry clouds way up high, the sun showed its face directly behind the palace, making it difficult to get a decent photo.

The Peace Palace is the seat of the United Nations International Court of Justice, along with various other legal institutions, and is owned by the Carnegie Foundation, who work tirelessly to fulfil a dream of global peace. No royal figure has ever lived there, as I assumed!

I would love to go back on the guided tour, and see their motto 'Peace through Justice' which is visible in much of the decor and artwork. I however am running out of time so hopefully can do this next time I visit my son.

World Peace Flame is right outside the gate, and has the following inscription:

The World Peace Flame:
In July 1999 seven flames from five continents were united to create the World Peace Flame.
The World Peace Pathway: 196 nations joined together in cooperation and unity to create the World Peace Path.
Opened 27 April 2004.
Please add your prayer for peace as you walk around. is right outside the gates

The Hague War Memorial 1940 - 1945 on Carnegieplein opposite the Peace Palace is an initiative of a group of former resistance members, and commemorates the Second World War. I was curious about the four columns, and learnt that they symbolize the four pillars of society during the war: neutral, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish.
A wreath laying by relatives of the Resistance, Jewish organizations, and others, takes place here annually on Remembrance Day which will be on 11 November this year.

The sun was setting by the time we got back to Gouda, where our day had begun. The glow of the café lights looked very inviting, but every table outside was taken. Fortunately, we discovered a cosy table inside Barbier, and saw an unexpected sight, something I shared when I spoke of the delights of Gouda.

Our feet were sore, but it was the perfect ending to a day filled with magical moments of Gouda, Delft, Scheveningen and a glimpse of the Vredespaleis in Den Haag.

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