Day Three - Amsterdam & Embarkation

Day Three dawned a little gray and slightly drizzly - but not bad! Our luggage had to be outside our hotel room door by 7:00 and then we grabbed breakfast.

I took the photo below because the bus was so cool! It had seats around a table. I was able to grab the front seat facing forward. So important! There was also a second level of the bus so some folks went up the stairs, but we stayed on the main level.

On the way to the bus (several blocks away), one couple realized they had left their passports and other valuables in the safe in the room. Our guide for the day, who was about my age . . .and had a few extra pounds on him, literally ran all the way back to the hotel. He was able to talk to Ilko, our Cruise Manager, and they were able to get the items. The couple is well traveled - they just forgot somehow.

We drove for maybe 25 or 30 minutes to Zaanse Schans, which is an historic village with real working windmills, wooden houses, and artisan and craft shops.

The village had multiple canals and gorgeous ducks lived there. 

Our first stop was at the wooden shoemaker. As you entered the building/home, there was a glass wall protecting a wonderful display of all types of wooden shoes.

Farmers today still wear wooden shoes because they are very durable, waterproof, and they don't sink into the mud. They have even figured out how to make them into "rubber boots."

Look! It's roller skates!

We first watched a demonstration of how they used to make wooden shoes. It was very labor intensive. I laughingly said to the person standing next to me, "If we were in the U.S., they would have made us all wear safety goggles." There were wooden pieces flying everywhere!

After he showed us the shoes made the old fashioned way, he moved to the next machine and showed us the new more automated way. Let me just say that their production increased exponentially when the machines improved. They are still handmade - the machine is just faster.

The shop was small so as soon as you made your purchases, you exited. We were waiting outside for the rest of our group. The shoe below was quite popular.

And then look what happened - the skies began to clear and the sun came out. We were so blessed with decent weather!!

After the shoe shop, we went to the cheese shop. The young man asked us not to take his photo.

He did a great demonstration and told us a little about the cheeses. Then they ushered us into the ginormous cheese store where samples were available.

Mark bought coconut cheese. It was tasty. We are saving the one we purchased to share with friends.

Zaanse Schans is a lovely place!!

We then went to a working windmill to see the action.

The millstones in the De Kat windmill at Zaanse Schans weigh approximately 3,000 kilograms (6,600 pounds) each. These are large granite stones used for grinding limestone into a fine powder for paint.

The young man who did the demonstration was very knowledgeable. It was a good windy day and he was able to tell us how many windy days one needs to make various powders.

After the tour, they let us loose and told us to walk around and eat lunch, etc. We went into a chocolate shop, but didn't make a purchase. I did go to the restroom - you need a credit card to swipe for public restrooms. We've had to pay to use public restrooms in other countries, but I think this was a first where you just tap and go.

I took Mark's photo with the gorgeous scene behind. The day was warming up and we had dressed in layers.

It would be so cool to live in one of those homes on the water.

Below:

Bitterballen: Small, deep-fried, crispy-on-the-outside, and creamy-on-the-inside meatballs, traditionally made with a beef and broth mixture thickened with a roux. Andy, our tour guide from the previous day, told us about Bitterballen. They are a local food that is served in bars - to soak up the alcohol!

We mistakenly assumed they would have more the texture of either meatballs or hush puppies, but they were much softer and mushier inside. 

We all gathered back at the bus and headed toward the dock. We boarded our boat and found our room numbers. Most all of us did a "walk around" the boat to get the lay of the land.

That is an enormous chess set!

Can you see the hint of the rainbow in the picture below?

Mark zeroed in on the corn hole set on the upper deck. He practiced throwing several times over the course of the week.

Look - now the rainbow is much more visible!

After we boarded the boat, I received this text from our son:

Y'all still having fun?? On the boat yet?

I sent the photo below in response.

Glenn's response was: Holding Court?

Laura's response was: Talking some strangers ears off!

Mark is such an extravert and we immediately met these two couples from Texas. You can see Doug and Sandy on the sofa beside Mark.

Doug is a wine expert. Seriously.

The AmaSerena didn't have giant buffets for meals. The dining room was directly below the lounge. I have no idea what we ate that first night, but look how pretty it is!!

That looks like a salad below!

I have no idea about the soup either! All of the food was good and the service was excellent.

I am assuming that we went to bed after dinner! The boat stayed in port because we had one more day of sight seeing in Amsterdam.

Wow! I told Mark this morning that I love reliving these moments!