We have found the real Holland!

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Yesterday and today we left the city on bicycles and found the real Holland. Lots of farms, lots of cows, lots of water, and a few old fashioned windmills.

We took the ferry to North Amsterdam and rode along the dike through the little village of Durgerdam and on to the town of Marken. Marken used to be an island but a road was built in the 1930s before the war connecting it to the mainland. Marken is a fishing village that has preserved its buildings and lifestyle.

From Marken we took a 30 minute ferry ride to Volendam. This town was so crowded with cruise ship tourists that we could hardly get through the streets. But they have a great seaside promenade that was plenty wide enough for all.

We continued on to the village of Edam. This is a quiet and peaceful spot. We had lunch at a canal-side restaurant. We watched a few boats go by and the raising of the bridge to let the boats pass under it. There are many bridges over the canal so that means that the guy who operates the bridge has to jump on his bike as soon as the bridge is lowered and pedal like crazy to the next bridge so he can raise it for the same boat. The people on the boats are having a great time moseying down the canal. The bridge-keeper--not so much

Lunch was over and it was time to retrace our route back home. But somewhere we got on the wrong bike path. We wandered through miles of peaceful farmland (below sealevel) before we got back on the correct trail.

We went about 50 kilometers and had so much fun we decided to take another ride today.

We woke up to rain so we waited until after lunch to head out. This time we rode the bike path along the Amstel River. The Amstel flows through town and out into the countryside. Once we maneuvered our way through the city (no small feat) we had a wonderful ride. Today we passed by windmills, Rembrandt's house, beautiful estates, and more farmland. Once out of the city Holland becomes a quiet, peaceful, and scenic place.

I have been asked by many people for directions. They seem to think I am a local. Must be the combination of a local bike, the jean jacket (a popular clothing item here) and the Dutch boy haircut!

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Photos

Statue of Rembrandt
He was born here

Comments

[Rene]

How GRAND!
Just catching up a bit on your trip. Holland looks just as I have imagined. Stay well, and keep having fun! Much love to you both!