Rotterdam - The Hague - Keukenhof - Amsterdam

Today is May 5 and for the Dutch it is the equivalent of our Anzac Day. They call it Liberation Day and they are celebrating being liberated in WW2. I meant to say last night that when I was eating that lovely steak which was washed down with an Aussie red, the waiter came around and said did I know about 8pm? I thought he meant that the restaurant would shut at that time, but he was saying they have their 2 minutes silence then. So I was very happy to oblige with that, especially after all the war history I have been exposed to over the last few weeks... So, sure enough at 8pm they played the Last Post and everyone was silent, except this couple who kept talking right through it... thought that was very disrespectful!


So this morning we took off for another optional extra which was a canal ride at Kinderdijk which was just outside Rotterdam. It is a series of windmills which are all lined up in a particular way, so that they virtually “speak to each other” through the way their sails are positioned.  Our guide was telling us that over 50% of The Netherlands is either under or around 1 metre above sea level, so they are fighting a continual battle with the water. Even in this modern age where they now have modern pumps, they still keep these windmills as a back up.

Dutch Windmill

Windmills all in a row

More windmills

We had a lovely boat ride along the canal and then were able to go into a working windmill to see it from inside. The guide was telling us about how one windmill keeper had 13 children and how they all had to be fitted in... in drawers under the bed and top to toe in the bigger beds, Not my idea of a good time.😳

Windmill that housed 13 children

Story of family with 13 children

Next we’re taken to the Royal Delft factory where they make the blue porcelain. I  think that was a bit of a sales pitch... reminded me of Beleek in Ireland, where all the buses are taken! Needless to say, I didn't indulge.... it was very expensive! Moderately interesting but out of my league!

Royal Delft

Master Painter at work

The Nightwatch done in Royal Delft

Explanation of The Nightwatch above

Just in case you're all lining up for them when I get home, just want to say I have bought zero souvenirs so far!  Can’t fit any more in my case!!!

Back on the bus again and our next trip was to The Hague which was a lovely city. I have to say the cities we have seen in both Belgium and The Netherlands have all been very green, with lots of trees and greenery. We had a quick walking tour through the main square and were shown the Parliament and the Court of Justice, where international trials are held.

The Hague parliament

Peace Palace at The Hague - houses the International Court of Justice

As usual we had some lunch there, then back on the bus again for a trip to the Keukenhof Flower Festival. All the tulips are out at the moment and it really was a lovely sight, but we were given 4 hours here, and that was a bit beyond my levels of interest. I remember being on a ICT conference with my friend Denise in Canberra once and Floriade was on..... we lasted 5 minutes and then moved on to the next thing!!!
But this is really big over here. there were heaps of buses and people and apparently the whole festival only lasts 8 weeks.

 

Entrance to Keukenhof

 Here's a few samples...

Flowers at Keukenhof

Flowers at Keukenhof

Me and flowers!

Flowers at Keukenhof

Flowers at Keukenhof

Name of our neighbours in Surrey Hills

Flowers at Keukenhof

Consequently I have found a Wi-Fi hotspot there and am typing this whilst waiting to go back to the bus. Might allow me to have an early night.... We seem to be always on the go on this trip and writing the blog is often the last thing I do in the day.... sometimes makes for late nights.

But there was another important thing I had to do as well, and that was catch up on then footy news. I saw the mighty Hawks won.... It came on here at 6.10am so I was up and ready for it, but I had to pack, then go to breakfast, then get on the bus, so I’m looking forward to catching some of the replay later.
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This is written after dinner now. We didn't get to our new home in Amsterdam until after 7pm, then we are staying at this brand new hotel that has high tech for everything... for example.... When you get your room card, you have to place it against the black receiver then it tells you which lift to catch which takes you straight to your room. Also, all the lighting and tv etc in your room is controlled by an ipad. As you know I'm reasonably competent at such things, but  there was stuff I couldn't work out. Really felt for the oldies on tour as I think it was a real challenge for them.

We are in this hotel for 3 nights so hope we can sort it by the end.

So another long day bites the dust. Have to admit I'm hanging out for a bit of time and space. We finish on Tuesday when I fly to Edinburgh, but I will certainly make the most of the last few days on tour.