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The Erasmusbrug, or in English “Erasmus Bridge” is a cable stayed bridge across the Nieuwe Maas river, or in English “New Meuse” river linking the northern and southern halves of Rotterdam city, Netherlands. It was designed by Ben van Berkel, completed and officially opened by Queen Beatrix on September 6, 1996 with a total length of 0.5 miles and height of 456 feet the Erasmusbrug has earned the nickname De Zwaan or in English “The Swan”.

At night the Erasmusbrug shines in its glory, with each individual light pointed at the top it’s magically visible from both sides of the far stretched banks of the Nieuwe Maas river, with as special places the Golden Tulip Cafe & Hotel and Cafe Rotterdam. Around the area of the Erasmusbrug, which is situated at the Kop van Zuid there’s several popular sightseeing destination including the Speedo, Rotterdam Port Experience, Nieuwe Luxor Theater, Euromast, Strand aan de maas and the Tropicana. Further more several mainstream buildings are located near the bridge like the Rotterdam court house and the KPN office.

Twenty four hours a day buzzing traffic goes over the bridge, including cars, trams, bicycles and anything that moves yet no ones stops for a moment to enjoy its views. The bridge has been integrated in the Rotterdam city life that locals barely recognize it’s beauty anymore. Yet, in my experience simply walking the bridge at night, viewing the lights as far the eye can reach on the river banks, in combination with the thrills of trams and car traffic passing by, the wind in your hair and the smell of the Nieuwe Maas water in combination with marvelous views make it a unique and relaxing experience.

That the bridge is internationally recognized can be simply proofed by it’s presence of international films such as the Jackie Chan film Who Am I? and the repeated shows of Red Bull Air Race and Bavaria City Racing.

In Rotterdam south, in the municipality Charlois lies a spacious park named Zuiderpark. The park is located directly in between the two municipalities of Carnissewijk and Zuidwijk/Pendrecht. It was built in the year of 1952 and meant as a place for enjoyment and relaxation for city locals. Since the year 2006 the park has gone through restructuring, which has improved the park a lot.

The Zuiderpark is easy reachable from almost anywhere within Rotterdam south, it’s located nearby the biggest mall in the region Zuidplein, as well as the main bus stations and two metro stations Zuidplein and Slinge. Mainly the park is used for Sunday walks, biking and walking and during summers a barbecue with the family. It also households a few Rotterdam football and volleyball associations including: S.C Zuiderpark and Sportclub Zuiderpark.

The park also households several allotments garden complexes including VTV de Zandweg and VTV de Zuiderhof, which truly give you the feeling you’re in the middle of a nature park, and not just three minutes of the busy city center of South Holland. Most of the complexes in Zuiderpark are over 50 years old, it wasn’t until a few years ago that the municipality Charlois removed a part of a garden complex in order to enlarge the park it’s waterways for summer swimming and canoeing throughout the lake.

Throughout the park there’s several benches placed near the waterside, overall the park is kept pretty clean. The side of walking paths are covered with threes and green. When evening falls the park light system automatically turns on, all though it’s not covered all to well. It isn’t recommended to stay in the park after sun set if you have no business there.

On the north side of Zuidpark lies Ahoy Rotterdam’s biggest international entertainment center, used for pop concerts and  for instance pop concerts and sport events. There’s also an old church on the side of the park with a little deer camp. It’s allowed to feed the deers, most of the locals go there to feed them old bread with their children

Travelers to the Netherlands need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed a stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. Rotterdam is a city of size but it’s easy to get round, for a visit to Zuiderpark you can make use of a taxi from city center (about $30.00 US) or use the public transport subway (about $5.00 US). The most convenient time to enter the park is during daytime summer, from June till August.

These pictures date Saturday 31th of October 2009 Zuiderpark, Rotterdam

The Euromast is a 610 feet tall “Space Tower” in the city of Rotterdam, designed by Hugh Maaskant between 1958 and 1960. The Euromast is a concrete building with an internal diameter of 30 ft, for stability reasons it has been built on a concrete block of gravity worth 4,2 million LB established underground. In the 70’s the Euromast lost its position as the tallest tower of Rotterdam which is why they decided to add an additional 279 feet. The Euromast is member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

Euromast is the height pride of Rotterdam, it’s visible from almost any point of the city. Besides the many tourists it attracts, locals are also delighted to visit as well. Who doesn’t want to eat at a height of 328 feet with a spectacular view on one of Europe’s largest harbors, the city of Rotterdam and the maas river bridges including Willemsbrug and Erasmusbrug.

Besides dining and breath taking views, there’s more things to do. For those who seek thrills, how about abseiling, Euroscoop or rope sliding right from the top of the space tower. Sometimes parties are being held in the Euromast, also you can go and rent the Euromast location for your own private party. But the main attraction today, is the hotel on top of the Euromast. Feel like you’re playing the leading roll in your own Hollywood movie, both the Heaven & Star room come with a bottle of champagne and a breakfast serviced at bed, and the biggest and highest balcony in Rotterdam is all yours, and yours only.

Because Euromast is one of the main tourist attraction in Rotterdam city you must purchase a ticket upon arrival, the ticket will cost €8.70 (about $13 US) per person. This will give access to go to up and enjoy the Euromast facilities.