Amsterdam

We are now on the Amsterdam canal and there is a lot of industry and office buildings along the way. Very misty at times, especially where the canal has high 'walls' of greenery and trees and we can't see the countryside. Mind you it is still very dark so not sure there is much to see anyway.

We had quite a sleep in this morning and didn't get up and moving till about 7.30. Forecast is for max of 10 but by breakfast, the sun is shining and blue skies. It feels lovely and warm next to the windows. But back to our cabin B and I reluctantly head as we can't put it off any longer... It is time to start packing the suitcases. Ye gods!!! Where did all the extra 'stuff' come from and his is it ever going to fit? Anja has offered to come and sit on suitcases and I'm tempted to seek her out. I can only wonder how roomie us managing on her own. However it may all have a happy ending as I have left out the clothes I am likely to need in the next 2 days so that they will be packed last, and I've even remembered to leave some room for the toiletry bag. It is now B who I am worried about as we actually had to lift her bed to slide her suitcase back under it! LOL! We decide to do a quick reccy off the ship which is berthed very close to the main railway station. It is quite an ordeal to not only dodge the traffic on the roads, but to keep out of the way of the blasted push bikes. It's like dodgem cars as the cyclists have right of way over everything as far as I can tell. To add to our drama we also had to cross tram tracks but somehow re managed. B needed to find an ATM which was duly located and I stood guard. Not that we were really worried, but there had been lots of reminders about pick-pockets and ATMs are not always the safest locations. What I don't like at all is the often over powering smell of dope. Anja has explained the difference between what is available at cafes and coffee houses, and I will be sticking to cafes! there are also heaps of back packers and groups of English tourists around. The streets are very crowded and I'm ready to head back to the ship which we do. Time for lunch and then we head off across the nearby bridge to get on a glass topped boat for a tour of the canals.

As the sun is still shining brightly, it is a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Klass is our guide.

After our boat ride we are then taken on a walking tour of the red light area and narrow alleys and lanes. We are given 20 minutes free time near a flea market that holds nothing of interest to me, however M has purchased another baseball cap to add to his collection. I can only look on in amazement when I see him sporting a black baseball cap emblazoned with the word Amsterdam across the front brim, and covered with green marijuana leaves!!! He is such a boy!!! The whole area is dirty and clearly focussed on cheap tourist dollars so I'm very pleased when it is time to get back on the coach. We then are shown a number of different key buildings. The crowds of people everywhere are amazing. Apparently the weather is so unusually fine for this time of year that it has brought every one outdoors. I'm hoping the streets are less crowded tomorrow when I have a free full day in the city!

Due to a road closure, traffic is exceptionally heavy and we seem to move only a couple of car lengths every few minutes at one stage, but finally we are out if the heavy city traffic where we have a short photo stop at a windmill, that someone still loves in, but isn't operating. The only other windmill we saw earlier has been converted into a brewery.

My homework tells me that approximately 45% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. Apparently there are nearly 1000 old mills still in existence but full control over the water level is still not fully achieved. We certainly saw that while on the canal trip, where many buildings have significant leans on them. No wonder some people choose to live on houseboats! Back to the ship and time for a cuppa and then off to dinner for our last meal together of the gang all together. It has been a great cruise and we've seen and experienced so much. M was in fine form and wouldn't let us leave until we had heard his repertoire of jokes, all the ones that A would have been shaking her head over, saying 'Oh Mike...'. What a fitting and precious tribute to her. And with I leave you on the last night of our European Ruver cruise. It has been a blast! Goodness knows what tomorrow in Amsterdam with a full day on dry land will bring...