Today we left the bustle of Amsterdam behind and boarded a morning train that was bound for Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, a small village that felt like stepping into a storybook. This town is nestled in the city of Zaandam, the area is known for its traditional Dutch architecture, scenic canals, and gorgeous working windmills.
Our first visit was to the Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm, run by the Henri Willig company. Inside, we got a quick look at how their cheese is made which is from heating milk to a precise temperature to adding enzymes that create curds. The curds are cut and pressed into molds, forming the familiar wheels of Dutch cheese. One interesting takeaway was how they repurpose whey, a byproduct of cheesemaking, to brew beer which is an an example of how even small-scale production can prioritize sustainability.
After some generous cheese sampling that ended up with a purchase of lavender cheese, we had time to wander around the village, where windmills slowly turned in the breeze. Which I learned quickly that these aren’t just historical relics they are a symbol of centuries of innovation. The Dutch have used windmills to pump water and reclaim land, transforming marshes and lakes into usable farmland. It was incredible to walk through a place where the environment has been shaped so thoughtfully and also encourages wildlife to thrive, as we saw a various amount of animal life including baby goats!
In the afternoon, we traveled to the Zuiderzeemuseum, an open-air museum that recreates life in villages along the former South Sea. We explored old-style homes, shops, and workshops showcasing traditional crafts like ropemaking and fish smoking. The museum also taught us about the Dutch battle against water which is a defining part of the country’s history. Through dikes, polders, and water management systems, they’ve managed to reclaim huge areas of land from the sea, balancing nature and human need.
Overall today wasn’t just about charming villages or tasty cheese in total it was about understanding how people have adapted to their environment!