"Harkema - East-Friesland" Harkema by bicky

Harkema is a little town in the North of the Netherlands, more exactly in the Eastern part of the Friesland-province.

It is an ideal base for visiting this part of the country that is completely different from the rest of Holland.
The people are "Fries", they speak a different language which is official in town halls, school, university, newspapers, television, radio ...
If you call the inhabitants Dutch or refer to them as Dutchmen, they will be offendend. They are very proud of their distinct culture which is expressed in their original farm-based architecture and colourful painted furniture.
The language, "Fries", is said to be the closest you can get to English.
I can't speak it, but I can understand some words.

Original style house with a roof with mud

I go to Harkema almost every year.

My aunt has a holiday house in a huge garden.
I go there with some friends and we enjoy the countryside, make cycling trips and also fish a lot.
It's an ideal place for people who like more active holidays and if you know how to sail or navigate a motor-boat, this is a great part of the Netherlands to visit.

• Pros:Quiet, lush green landscapes with lots of water, friendly folks
• Cons:In the winter it's not much of a holiday place...