Infinite Improbability: Day 14. Netherlands

We got underway just after getting to bed last night. 2200 or so. It was quite noisy. Unrafting and undocking went smoothly. We hardly noticed as is usual. Then we went under the first bridge and it was very noisy. Perhaps it was the cars and trains overhead. Lasted a while. Then we turned around on the other side of the river. There was lots of chop. The engines were straining and there was lots of vibration. The ship was shaking. As I watched out our window I could see the landmarks we had used on shore for our excursions passing by. It was quite beautiful if confusing. We then got going. Really got going. Very fast and smooth. Flying with the current all night. Fast with the current is smooth and quiet so no sleep issues after the departure ruchus. Woke up having just crossed into the Netherlands, about 0630. We know the time because a friend told us he got notification from his cell phone company. Ah, technology. The land is much flatter here with sand and mud riverbanks. Cattle come down and wander along the river. It looks a bit more like the riverbanks we are used to in the eastern U.S. Very busy, too.

We got to Kinderdijk just after noon, just before lunch. We backed up a couple of miles to get there.

Yes, those windmills are working. I have video of them turning.

After lunch we walked up to the dike and over. Then to the 2nd dike and over that one. At the base we were about 9 feet below sea level. Other areas are much lower.

This is a leak in the 1st dike. Seepage really but too big for just a finger. If the water is muddy that's bad. Clear is ok. Usually.

We went to a working windmill originally built in the 1700s. Amazing power demonstrated by the videos I have. The still photos do not show how the water is pumped to prevent flooding.

The town is named because of the legend of a child (kinder) found floating in a basket during a major flood event and dike (dijk) failure. A cat was rocking the child in the basket by jumping between the two sides.

We got underway shortly after reboarding Egdir and travelled to Rotterdam to pick up passengers that went on different, longer tours. We got there after a about hour of travel and got underway after all were aboard.

Rotterdam.

Next, it's on to Amsterdam overnight and the end of our cruise. We will be leaving the ship after breakfast, taking a walking tour then joining a different boat on a canal cruise. In between we will transfer to a hotel.

We had dinner one more time with our Australian friends (two couples) and a mother-daughter pair of Kiwis. Before that the ship provided champagne for a final toast to the voyage and to say good-bye to the entire staff including the senior officers. It really was a great crew. A great voyage. And a great historical and cultural learning experience.

We were also very lucky. The voyage a week or so behind us encountered severe weather, cancelled tours, nights off their ship and more adverse conditions. We did not have too little water. Or too much water. Or too much rain. Or drought conditions. We had one day of light rain and 2 days of part time early or late light showers.

It short, we had a wonderful time. Made great new friends we hope we'll see again. Saw amazing sights. Had great experiences. And would recommend to anyone to do this voyage and to use this company.

Sad it's come to an end but we have a couple of mentioned events planned in Amsterdam after we are off the ship for good. We arrive there overnight.