Another new adventure this morning! I felt like a native Dutchman as I cycled around Willemstad this morning. There couldn't have been a better day to take a bicycle trip. Not one hill in sight, and the weather actually was more perfect today than yesterday!
Docking right by the harbour in Willemstad, my first view of this tiny town was a beautiful white windmill near the yacht harbour. It didn't take long to get used to riding on cobblestone streets, and shortly I was tooling around the village like a pro (Lance would have been proud of his fellow Austinite!) I wish I could post all my photos as the village contained quaint cottages, canals with lily pads, blooming fruit trees and tulips. I even got a picture of a swan nesting in the reeds with dad keeping a close watch. Disneyworld eat your heart out -- you don't even come close to the magical charm of Willemstad! The cruise had a special treat for us -- an organ recital in old church.
Had another quick lunch while sailing to Dordrecht (back in the Netherlands). This afternoon we drove a short distance to Kinderdijk. Another UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, this area has more windmills than anywhere else in the world. About 1740 the Dutch built 17 mills to drain excess water from the polders (low-lying regions) so the land could be claimed for agriculture and prevent flooding. Today power-driven pumping engines do this work much more efficiently but don't hold a candle to the charm of the old windmills. We took many photos and climbed one of the mills. Fascinating to see the living quarters of the family who maintained the mill. Definitely small but very efficient.
Tonight is the Captain's Dinner so need to spiffy up a bit. Tomorrow is labeled as the high-point of the week -- the Keukenhoff Gardens(famous for its tulips), but everyday has been a special experience.
Linda
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