Brenda discovers the child in herself at Netl
For FlevoMade, I investigate what has been and is being made in Flevoland, and this time I am visiting Robin Crébas of Netl, which can rightly call itself The Wildest Garden (of Flevoland and perhaps the whole of the Netherlands). The whole landscape here is conceived and created by people, with the aim of letting their guests have fun.
Immediately as I drive onto the site, I see a large sign. It says that Netl is known for Boer zoekt Vrouw, Het Perfecte Plaatje, De Club van Sinterklaas (which is being recorded there as we speak) and, as of today, FlevoMade. Only the latter is just not on the board.... In addition, it is a place where you can get married in the gazebo, where parties are held, where a big annual festival (Wildeburg) takes place, where you can hold meetings and, oh yes, a green place where you can stay overnight. It is so much in one that I am momentarily lost. High time to put Robin to the test.
We are in Kraggenburg in the Noordoostpolderder. On a large site with a huge bamboo garden. Every now and then you just feel like you've entered the jungle, so beautiful. With a wooden bridge suspended in the water, small creep-through-creep-through corridors and lots of bamboo trees with very thick trunks. I myself have some bamboo plants in the garden, but compared to this, I am really an amateur. I have never seen this before! Certainly not in the Netherlands. According to Robin, it has become an out-of-control forest. Not a word is lied to there and I think it's beautiful.
The Wildest Garden, no idea what to imagine with that. But I soon find out that every place we walk through has something to offer that brings out the child in me. The park has endless possibilities and offers a maze of beaches, elephant paths, bamboo jungle, individual islands, crazy works of art, hammocks and, when you least expect it, there suddenly appears a huge greenhouse where you can have a drink, throw a party or recover from all the adventure. One thing led to another, says Robin. Each time something new was created, added or built. And despite this, it has become a unity and there is a tremendous tranquillity emanating from this park.
You can also book a day in Netl. After all, there is plenty to do. Indeed, it is a walhalla for children and one big adventure. For instance, there is an obstacle course, a nature playground, a mud slide, a ukkie park, you can swim in the lake or go supping like I did (well, it couldn't be called what I did). But you can also sail in a canoe or take the wooden cable ferry across. Personally, I hung out in the cable car for a while and played around like a kid. I really liked it there. And after a day of strolling and exploring, you can stay for dinner at the beach pavilion.
Actually, everything is special at Netl, as there are also very special accommodation options at the accompanying campsite with the appealing name "Kallumaan", should you not want to leave. These include lodges, sea containers, a hiker's hut, a birdhouse, a tree tree or a tent on the UFO field. That name alone makes you curious. But of course, you can also come and stay with your own tent, camper van or caravan and get a huge pitch in the woods or by the water. As a camping enthusiast, I find that too quite special. There are also three group accommodations. It would have to be crazy not to find something for you here.
I found it a very surprising site. In fact, I have never seen anything like it either. Netl The Wildest Garden also cannot be pigeonholed, as I tried to do at the beginning of my visit. You have to experience it and then you will understand what I mean. So what are you waiting for?