Day 4 - September 15 - Sailing to Kinderdijk

By Ellen Outten

The. Windmills of Kinderdijk 

So far we have had amazing weather and even though it's very early into the trip, we are very lucky to have this weather.

The alarm went off at 6 am this morning but the only one that heard it was Beth. When I finally did, I turned it off and went back to sleep for an hour.



View of Rotterdam from our ship this morning 

Views from the river during breakfast 


This water treatment building that looks like either a castle or a fortress is for sale.  However it's on the UNESCO World Heritage site so you can't make it into a B&B or restaurant.
There's a giraffe on the top right corner of the roof 


The view of our Viking longboat, the Gersemi, docked in Kinderdijk by the windmills.


Our tour today was to see the windmills in Kinderdijk.  Our tour guide was fabulous.  He had an amazing command ofthe english language.  His knowedge of the windmils, the history and workings of the windmill system made the learning experience quite fun.

My first view of the Kinderdijk windmills 








The windmill we were able to enter and tour housed a family of 13 plus mother and farther. Based on the square footage, i cant imagine living so close. With approximately 250 days of rain and usual strong winds, you couldn't just say, kids, go out and play.





Much of the Nethetherlands is below sea level, like New Orleans.  The windmills pump the rainwater into the canals and then depending upon the water levels and tide these windmills pump the water into the rivers when sluice gates are opened. 

The business / job of the Millers, keepig the windmills operating was quite a physicial challenge.  It could take 2 hours to get the windmills set correctly for the wind, the wind could change, and they would have to do it all over.  It was a job passed from generation to generation with the oldest inheriting. 

After our two hour tour, we were back on board for a calm day of sailing.  We haven't hit the Rhine quite yet, we are still sailing on the Waal river. By dinner, we'll reach the Rhine and will dock in Cologne. 

Beth and I had lunch of  the open deck, the Aquavit Terrace.  No pictures of lunch, but the salmon was delicious and the rice pudding wasn't so bad either.  I'm two beers into my day and FORESEE A FEW MORE.

Traffic on the Waal River as we sail toward the Rhine




Tomorrow morning we are scheduled for a 10 am walking tour of Cologne.    Until then, its a beautiful warm sunny day floating down the river.  We've passed many barges , most likely heading for Rotterdam, the Netherlands largest port accounting for 20 % of the gross income to the country.

At 3 pm we have a nautical talk here in the lounge.  Later there will be some quiet musical entertainment, a port talk about our visit to Cologne tomorrow and wha to expect followed by dinner (more food).  Today has been much more relaxing, a great way to start this cruise.  




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