European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 16, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Netherlands 4. A a sea flavors life in windswept dutch resort by Effie Bathen staff writer summer Breves find the dutch Seaside resort of Zand Robrt on the North sea. Packed with crowds of the Sun starved and Sun burned. The months of july and August Are the sensuous times. That is when the winds Are in the mood to Caress those who stroll the Shore at the Edge of the Day. It tikes to meet them with a whisper. But in the cooler months the wind likes to Greet Hearty Well bundled visitors with a blustery roaring handshake. The people of the Netherlands however have spent centuries mastering mightier forces of sea and Light. For them the wind is just a hired hand. They caught it in the wings of their windmills and put it to work drawing water away from where they wanted to live their lives. Those who know the North sea coast dress As if they Are on their Way to a ski trip. They bundle their children in mittens and scarves and take them for evening hikes into the wind. It would be too gentle to Fawn Over sea shells in the Sand on this rugged Shore. Rosy cheeked children Delight in the invisible Force that picks them off their feet. The Little ones Bounce and Fly on the gusts. Some run with their dogs tossing Sticks that Fly High a almost As High As the gulls that Romance the wind. It s an Odd companionship that Beach walkers in a storm have. As a Black sky Rolls across a setting Sun they Exchange pleasantries. Quot Nice Beach weather Quot they quip to those they pass in rain soaked Coats and mittens ,. Finally a blast of Hail gives them the excuse to run a to shelter they Tell themselves. But for a while their laughter joins the children s. In the Little Beach town the warm havens Are Many. Some aim for the clock towered train. Station Only 200 Yards off the Broad Sandy Beach. Departures Are scheduled to Amsterdam or nearby Haarlem every 20 minutes or so. Others dash across o i world Brick streets to one of the Many pubs or cozy eateries. A what will it be Creek italian indonesian certainly on the North sea it must be fish. Whatever the Choice it is easy to find just the right place on the narrow streets named Halte Straat or Ker Kraat. They Are also near the movie House called the circus. In a country where English is so easily spoken first run movies Are offered in the original language with dutch subtitles. This is a real Boon for americans since  of . Blockbusters Are always running in the country. A other Winter Beach walkers run to cozy bed and breakfast hotels to warm up with a Glass of hot chocolate. One visitor orders a seafood dinner at a table inside the Terrace that leads to the Broad Sandy Beach. And finishes the evening watching a few Hearty souls set their path into the cold wind and continue to walk. A travellers tips a a Zand Voort is just one of a string of dutch North sea resorts that stretch from Scheven Irren to near Alkmaar even when it is not summer there is More to Greet the visitor than empty parking  the Edge of the City is a Large stretch of dunes marked with hiking paths. For. Those who like to bicycle rentals and packages Are offered for the trails that go up and Down the coast. The Little town also sports a couple of exclusive hotels a Casino and bungalows that can be rented for groups of four to eight people. A the seafood meal at the Plaza hotel comes on seven plates. The White fish with mussels and Green Peppercorns in Lemon sauce was Imperial to say the least. Along with potatoes vegetables and a mixed. A a a. Is amps Emu got Hon Zand Voort s old world Brick streets Are filled with shops pubs and eateries. Salad with Pine nuts it Cost 35 guilders $18. For those who like to eat in the fresh air the dutch Roll out fish snack Booths. Onto the Beach. A few guilders buys a selection of hot or cold specialities. A dinner of White fish mussels sauces a Roll and a soft drink costs 13 guilders $6.80. A to get there take the dutch Highway a-9 toward Haarlem East of Amsterdam. Follow the signs to Zand Voort. The Highway passes pastoral Fields of sheep and ducks. If you think you will see dutch girls wooden shoes and windmills you will. Likely not be disappointed. A rooms close to the Beach can run As Low As $20 per person per night depending upon the season. Campsites Are also reasonable priced at about $15 per Day for two people and a tent. Bungalows or Little apartments Are often available for groups of four to eight people chains like Center parcs or Cran Dorado offer them in several locations. Prices vary greatly often with five Days mid week costing the same As a weekend. A. A a information and reservations Are available through the dutch tourist. Information Bureau at stations Plein 1. Telephone country code 31 023319059, the tourist offices Are in almost every City and Are marked with a triangular sign and vow. So a. Two boys jump into the North sea wind on the Beach at Zand Voort. E.8 Bihen june is 1994 stripes Magazine 5