Once everyone was present and accounted for, we got on board the buses that were to take us to the cruise vessel waiting for us some distance from the airport. We stopped in Gouda for an hour or so to browse around the shops or simply sit in one of the many open-air restaurants and people-watch as they checked out the merchandise in the marketplace on the main square.
One of the highlights of our bus journey across Holland was a stopover to see the windmills at Kinderdijk. There are 19 working windmills in four different styles; and you can aim your camera in almost any direction and capture a beautiful scene. We were lucky enough to be there when a newly-married couple walked along the nearest row of windmills, which made for some even more interesting photo ops.
Toward the late afternoon, we are finally on our boat, the Salvinia, where our crew was waiting to welcome us with cold drinks or hot coffee (some of the best I’ve had, by the way), and a variety of cookies. All we had to do was sit and enjoy the snacks and warm sunny afternoon while the crew carried our luggage to our rooms. And oh! How good that hot shower felt. After a marvelous dinner (more rum-raisin ice cream, please!) it was time for a good night’s rest. So wonderful to sleep horizontally again!