Today our motorcoach excursion took us into Groningen, where we had a chance to look around before meeting Sietze de Vries at the Martinikerk (Martin’s Church). Sietze is the organist at the Martinikerk and is also a world-renowned performer who has taken first prize in many international organ competitions. He talked to us about the history of the two organs within the church and then led us through a musical demonstration of the horns, reeds, flutes, and other components that make up the distinctly different sounds. Talk about shaking the rafters! It was incredible.
Later in the afternoon, we found ourselves at Lauwersoog, where the Waddenzee meets the North Sea. It was quite windy and wild up on the seawall barrier, and quite a hike down to the water’s edge on the manmade rock wall. With the help of a fellow passenger, I braced myself against the rocky hillside and stuck my foot into the North Sea (it’s my little “souvenir” to myself whenever I travel to a major body of water). It was a bit exhilarating and felt like quite an accomplishment considering either me or my helper or, at the very least, my shoe, could have floated or blown away in the process!
Back on board the Salvinia, we enjoyed another scrumptious meal—did I mention how delish the dinner is? It’s a sit-down affair complete with a salad course, and then soup, and the main meal served country style. There is always plenty to eat and more where that came from. I never heard anyone complain that they left the dinner table hungry!
After dinner, a Frisian folklore group came onboard to entertain use with some dances from centuries past. They explained the various costumes and how one could tell social status or wealth depending on the type or amount of fabric and embellishments used. The most fun was watching some of our own passengers who “volunteered” to try the dance steps.
Groningen, the North Sea, and Frisian folklore images
