Harlingen has been a trading port for centuries and many of the old wharves have the names of their cargo destinations still on them, including Russia, Poland and here, closer to home. We were surprised to encounter another friendly lion that we first came across guarding the entrance to a stately home in Friesland last year but this time keeping the 25euro a nighters safe. The painted 'poster' was a reminder of Holland's colonial past but also showed the local traditional headdress; lots of bling and gold we were told.