Keukenhof Gardens

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Here are a couple pics, see the previous post for a brief narrative.

Tulips Tulips Tulips

This morning, on our last day, we went south of Amsterdam to see the tulip fields and the Keukenhof Gardens.

The gardens, nearly 100 acres, are a collaberation of the tulip growers, each having their own area to plant a display of their product.

While there are many varities, not all can be ordered, the agent in the sales shop said that the reason for this is that specific varities are not ready for release and may still be in developement.

This is the last night aboard ship, tomorrow at 9:15 we start the journey home. It will be a long day considering we leave here at 3:15AM EST and arrive in Cleveland at 6:25 PM EST

Storm Surge Gates

The Netherlands has built a series of storm surge gates across their Delta Basin where their three rivers enter the North Sea.

When criteria dictates these gates are dropped to shut out the North Sea from flooding inland.

We were told that on average the gates are closed at least once a year, but thay have not been need for the last four.

After our return to the ship, lunch was served on the sun deck as we continue our journey back to Amsterdam.

The Bunny Cometh

What a pleasent surprise, tonight while everyone was having dinner, the bunny stopped by everyones cabin.

He wasn't very quite though, can you imagine a little for legged creature scurring around with wooden shoes on

Ghent - Brugge

Today at 2 am we ported at Ghent, the problem is Ghent is primarily catholic so it is pretty well shut down for Easter. Thay did however make up for it by staying in Brugge, primarily protestant, for an extra 3 hours and added a beer tasting to the schedule.

All of this was a non issue for me since Mr Murphy came to visit last night and I have been not feeling well all day.

We are in Ghent till midnight then sailing to Middleburg, for our next to last night of sailing.

Antwerp

Today is Antwerp, after an afternoon cruise yesterday, we ported in the Antwerp harbor yesterday evening allowing us to get an early start this morning.

Today we had the obligatory city tour on the bus, with a walking tour to follow. After all the touring, we have this afternoon at leisure (free) to do what we want. Martha and I stayed in the city centre, had a great waffel lunch then went chocolate and beer shopping. They have over 500 varities of beer in Belgium.

We leave Antwerp at 8 this evening on route to Brugge, finally a city I have not been to before.

The trip is nearing it's conclusion, after Brugge, it back to Amsterdam to see the tulip gardens before returning home.

Poor Gail

Gail had a very eventful trip thus far. First her phone would not work, after she had called AT & T to set it up for Intl service,they DID NOTHING. Luckily I was able to text a friend in wireless and a couple of text messager later it started working.

This morning she tell us her hair curler started smoking and melted in her hand. Yes Gail, they will do that when you plug a 110 appliance into a 240 outlet. BUT I HAD AN ADAPTER ON THE PLUG, there is a big difference between an adapter and a converter.

Stay tuned, I will keep you posted of Gail's future adventures.

Kinderdijk (Windmill Central)

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After another late night/early morning cruise we ported at Kinderdijk. This is a UNESCO site designate such because of the 19 windmills from as far back as the 16th century that were used to control flooding and reclaim land in Holland. They are still run, but primarily just to maintain them and keep them from drying out, most are made of wood and thatch. The original canals are still used but by a modern diesal electric plant that drives archimaedes screws to lift the water.

Paleis Het Loo

This morning was an excursion to the old palace of the dutch royal family. The eesidence was used until the mid 20th century, but is now a museum. Each room is set up in a different time period to cover the era's that the pacale was active. The magnificent gardens have been restord to their original layout with drawing discovered from when they were first created.

I will add some additional photos on my return when I get them off the camera

Hoorn

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After a short (4 hrs) overnight sail, we ported in the small town of Hoorn. This is near Amsterdam and is one of the ports that the Dutch East Indies Company used to sail out of. There was a walking tour this morning and we will be going back in this afternoon to do some shopping.

The weather continues to be beautiful wit temperatures in the mid 70's and clear sunny skies.

Poor Gail

Gail had a very eventful trip thus far. First her phone would not work, after she had called AT & T to set it up for Intl service,they DID NOTHING. Luckily I was able to text a friend in wireless and a couple of text messager later it started working.

This morning she tell us her hair curler started smoking and melted in her hand. Yes Gail, they will do that when you plug a 110 appliance into a 240 outlet. BUT I HAD AN ADAPTER ON THE PLUG, there is a big difference between an adapter and a converter.

Stay tuned, I will keep you posted of Gail's future adventures.

Amsterdam

This morning was spent boating through the canals of Amsterdam, followed by a city tour and a stop at theFloating Flower Market. We had been on the tour before, but we saw a few things this time we had not seen before.

This afternoon we are off to a diamond factory, I wonder if they have samples !

The Adventure Begins

here we are setting at the Cleveland Airport waiting for the flight ti Washington. From there it is overnight on a 767 to Amsterdam arriving at 7:05 and transfering to the ship for a week of sights, fun, food and flowers. Stay tuned all you folks in cloudy and overcast Ohio.

I'll see what I can find for you Gus

Everything is Ready

Today is the last day at home for awhile.

 

Suitcases are packed and weighed, BOTH UNDERWEIGHT !

Friends are picking us up in the morning for the trip to the airport,

today at coffee, it was mentioned MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE GONE ALONG.

 

Watch the Viking River Cruises blog for trip updates, it can be reached from this site or directly

at http://www.goviking.posterous.com.

 

Two Weeks

Two weeks from today and we join the Viking Europe for 10 days in the Netherlands and Belgium