Ah, Rotterdam. It’s been more than 20 years since I saw you for the first time and I must admit I wasn’t impressed. Back then, you had the world’s largest port. These days, it’s relegated to 4th place, surpassed by Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan and Singapore. That’s to be expected from Asian tigers. Europoort is still by all accounts a major gateway to Europe.

But you’re a completely different city these days, Rotterdam. With innovative, futuristic architecture, a fabulous outdoor maritime museum in the city centre and a veritable cornucopia of quaint and curious shops, restaurants and cafes – I’ve gotta say, I like you.

Here’s a little iPhone-only photo essay of the second largest city in the Netherlands. Say hello to Rotterdam:

Rotterdam by Instagram

Good morning, Rotterdam – from my cosy canal view corner – at the brand spanking new Mainport hotel

Rotterdam skyline… well, parts of it, seen from Groot Handelsgebouw

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#rotterdam skyline… Well, parts of it #tburtm

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Love the vintage bikes that seem to have eternal life in Holland

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Love the vintage bikes in the Netherlands #tburtm

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Quirky religious architecture

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Quirky #rotterdam #tburtm

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Shapes and shadows

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Such fab, innovative architecture in Rotterdam #tburtm

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This red boat on the canal is a restaurant

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Canals of Rotterdam

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Rent-a-cabin on the canal – in this logeerboot

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Logeerboot – rent a cabin in Rotterdam

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Shipping container graffiti

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Sea container street art #tburtm

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Have you been in Rotterdam lately?