Den Helder, Harlingen and Franeker

Tuesday, April 22

The boat set sail at 7:00 am. We only had to be up early today if we wanted to catch the scenery on the trip north, so I slept in. More tulip fields were in store for today. The weather was not bright and clear, but the view was still very nice.

Harlingen was a very nice town. I found a poster advertising a tall ships race that was coming to their port. I offered to purchase it, but the person at the tourist board said I could have it. It has a great illustration of a women with a spy glass that my husband loved.

We docked in Franeker about 2:00 pm. The whole afternoon was at leisure. I sat outside of the cafe by the Eise Eisinga Planetarium.

Eise Eisinga Planetarium
The Eise Eisinga Planetarium

I enjoyed the use of their WiFi and had a local soda, Bitter Lemon. I felt very European sitting there.

Bitter Lemon
Bitter Lemon

It was different to be traveling as a single. I could hang out with the other passengers or just wander off on my own. That was fun. Since I am a Witte employee, several guests thought I could help with any problems. I was happy to help and did my best.

Terri Foley

 

Alkmaar to Schagerburg

Monday, April 21

The day started out slowly for me. We didn’t have anywhere to go as the Salvinia was cruising north. It rained lightly, but it didn’t matter. Once we arrived in Alkmaar we met up with the local guides. The weather cleared up. It was overcast, but no rain. The groups that wanted to walk were divided into slower and faster walkers. Alkmaar was a pretty little town. We walked around and learned about the cheese history, among other things. We even toured through the “red light district.” It was too early in the day for the working girls to be out. The ship continued on north about 3:00.

Tulip fields
Tulip fields in bloom on both sides of the boat.

Sailing through the tulip fields was a highlight, with lots of passengers oohing and aahing. After dinner that night we enjoyed local entertainment by a shanty choir. They sang and played for two hours. I turned in about 10:00, as I was very tired. Much more walking than I was prepared for.

The shanty singers
The shanty singers entertain us for the evening.

Terri Foley

Amsterdam, Keukenhof, and Volendam

Sunday, April 20 – Easter
We got up and going today. The bus took us into Amsterdam. Many people attended the English church service at the historic Begijnhof Presbyterian Church. I choose to walk around town on my own, as we were going to have very little time in Amsterdam. It was a lot of fun, very interesting and rewarding time spent. I saw the cheese museum, the Amsterdam tulip museum, and more. A very kind local kept me from stepping in front of a cable-car! After meeting back up at the church we boarded the bus for the drive to Keukenhof Gardens.

Keukenhof Gardens
Just a sample of all the flowers at Keukenhof Gardens

What a crowded place! It was Easter Sunday, very nice weather and the tulips were in full bloom. Henk said there might be 300,000 people there. I would believe that number. We had a nice picnic lunch before entering the park. Again I walked around the park on my own. I saw lots of people of different ethnic backgrounds and heard many different languages. So many people taking selfies. We had until 5:00 on our own, then we had to meet up at the bus.

The Salvinia needed to move from Amsterdam to make room for another ship, so we drove to Volendam to meet up with her. We sat down for dinner and the ship sailed back to Amsterdam for the night as we ate.

Terri Foley, Graphic Designer

Arrival in Amsterdam

Saturday, April 19
We arrived in Amsterdam a little early. Getting off the plane and finding our way to baggage claim, passport control and customs was exciting. The whole process went very well, once I figured out what to do. Several passengers gathered together with Lynda and myself as we completed the entry into the country. There was a wait for the bus, after we found the Burger King. Finding the Burger King did take a while. Good thing we had time. By this time in the morning the airport was quite busy with many different people and all going difference places. It was very exciting.

It would have been good had I thought to get my jacket out of my checked luggage. We got on the bus and drove to Harleem. It was cold and very windy there. Many other people complained about that. Nothing we could do about the weather but soldier on. When we got there, we learned that there had been a fire there. The bus could not go where planned, so we did the best we could.

St. Bavo Church, Haarlem
St. Bavo Church, Haarlem

We met up with the local guides, divided up into two groups and went on a tour of the city.
We went inside St. Bavo Church. It was quite interesting and very old. I learned that the term “stinking rich” came from the custom of rich people being buried inside the church under the floor. Some of the stones on the floor dated back to the 1400s. Lunch was independent that day. I met up with Carol and Del De Jong and Lynda Barendse-Witte for lunch. We ate at the Brinkman. I enjoyed a wonderful rustic tomato soup. Lynda and I wandered around the town. There was an open air market. She was cold and bought a scarf. I thought they were very pretty so I bought one too!
We met up with the bus and headed toward the ship, which was docked in Amsterdam. What a very pretty ship! The cabins are so nice. The ship is very pretty. The crew is extremely friendly. Dinner that night then we could turn in for the night.

Cabin 212 on the Salvinia
Cabin 212 on the Main Deck of Salvinia

Terri Foley, Graphic Designer

Day of Departure

Friday, April 18
The check-in at the Grand Rapids airport was smooth. Tracy from Witte was there to help everyone who needed it with the process.
The flight to Detroit was very short. We arrived there with plenty of time to find the gate and stretch our legs. Some passengers met up with us there. Most of the people seemed pretty excited.
The flight 619 to Amsterdam left on time. It appeared to be a full flight. The crew was very friendly. Warm moist towels were offered before dinner. Dinner was very good. All drinks were complimentary. I had never experienced this type of air travel before.

I sat next to a women who was going to Ukraine. She was from there originally and was returning to visit her children. I managed to sleep a fair amount on the plane, which was crusing at 38,000 feet for a great deal of the flight.

Terri Foley, Graphic Designer

Netherlands Waterway Cruise Pre-Departure Meeting

NWCmeeting_2

The trip is less than two weeks away. Henk held the pre-departure meetings in the Education Center at Witte on Saturday, April 5. Many people attended both meetings. The documents were covered in depth. Having helped create them, there wasn’t much new to me there. During the question and answer period though I learned a lot. I feel that the people who attended have a better understanding of what to expect on the trip. Henk covered money, electricity, shopping and he shared the ten commandments for travelers.

Terri Foley | Graphic Designer

29 days and counting

There is still room on the first sailing which leaves on April 18th, but it is getting closer to the departure date. I haven’t starting making my lists yet, but I should as things come to mind.

I have borrowed an electrical adapter from a co-worker so I can charge my phone and my camera. My camera has a rechargeable battery, so bringing extra batteries isn’t an option for me. I am going to bring along extra data cards. I don’t want to have to spend my money on items I can get at home.

I have to contact my cell phone carrier to make sure I have everything in place to use it in Europe. I want to avoid any unpleasant surprises when I get back.

Terri Foley | Graphic Designer