Zaanse Schans on Bikes from Zaandijk

Located just 20 mins outside Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is a convenient way to experience the Dutch countryside albeit a bit artificial compared to Kinderdijk but each has their individual appeal. Both are surprisingly free for all to walk and cycle around the site and the atmosphere is very relaxing. It was windy but another sunny day with nice blue skies. I had tried to find somewhere nice and free to park the car within a couple of clicks of Zaanse Schans (EUR 10 per entry at the official tourist car park). My first stop was actually Chocolaterie De Cacaoboom in Zaandijk. The three towns in the area are well known for cacao processing and the air is pleasantly filled with strong aroma of cocoa. Surprisingly there aren't as many chocolate shops as I had hoped though I had realised that while researching online the night before.

Chocolaterie De Cacaoboom

The shop is more like a one table tea room, warmly decorated and welcoming. The lady running the shop had been friendly and helpful. The hot chocolate and coffee were fantastic and there were quite a lot of chocolate to sample. We ended up buying loads for ourselves and gifts for friends.

Lagedijk itself is a quiet cute street and the bread shop at the head of the street serves some lovely stuff. We left our car on Lagedijk and took our bike across the bridge to the main Zaanse Schans site. The center of the bridge offers the best panoramic view of the area and the windmills. On this cold but beautifully sunny winter's day the view was great.

View from the bridge

Inside the compound are more picturesque houses and bridges in traditional Dutch style, sort of a Disneyland of idealised Dutch village. The houses appear to be occupied but not sure if they are locals or chalets for holiday makers.

We visited a wooden wind-powered sawmill, Het Jonge Schaap (The Young Sheep). It's a replicate completed in 2007, as were most of the windmills on the site, either relocated from surrounding site or rebuilt due to fire which unfortunately is quite a common occurrence with windmills. The price was reasonable and the display was quite comprehensive with some hands-on opportunity which the kids enjoyed.

Sawmill processing larch wood pulled from the canal

Wen-Kai vs the wind god

Time for something warm. Went inside the CacaoLab which offers a "make our own chocolate bar or hot chocolate from cocoa beans" experience. The kids opted for the lazy version which is just adding the cocoa powder and sugar for EUR2 cup of hot chocolate. The chocolate prices were high compared to the shop we just visited so didn't buy anything here.

Cacao Lab - spoon powder, add sugar, stir milk....:)