Year 3 Day 350- “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 4/16/2024. Day 15 of 28-day European Vacation – day 13 of 18-night Northern Europe MSC Euribia cruise. We are in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands for the second time.
Here is a link to last week’s visit where we visited Amsterdam and did a canal boat ride. Living the Dream Year 3 Day 343 – Day 8 of 28-day European Vacation – Day 6 of 18 Night Northern Europe cruise on MSC Euribia – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey Today we are staying and visiting the city of Rotterdam. It is rainy, windy, and in the 40’s.
I never really thought about the temperature here. The middle of summer is a high of 72. Nope, this is not the place for me.
We waited in the Delphi theatre for our group to be called.
Many people were talking about not sleeping last night due to the high winds and rough seas. Our bus broke down and we had to stand outside on the dock and wait for a new one.
As we got on the bus frozen and windblown people were not really patient. The bus was rocking from the high wind. I always learn some little trivia from our tour guides. So here goes. Oh, really in Dutch is echt waar. Television shows are broadcasted in English here. In Rotterdam we are about 20 feet below sea level. There is a huge rivalry between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The football teams are the pride of the respective cities: Ajax from Amsterdam and Feyenoord from Rotterdam. The match of Ajax and Feyenoord is usually called as De Klassieker (The Classics), and it is a highly popular match in the Netherlands. Rotterdam has at least 112 bridges.
The cube houses are so cool!
We pass many statues and artwork.
The most unusual was the eight-metre tall sculpture Cascade. It is made of polyester and is eighteen stacked oil drums, which appear to descend from the sky like a waterfall. They combine to form a column of life-size drums and a syrupy mass drips down of human figures. I am not sure what it means but it was interesting.
Then there was the Santa Claus. This statue was created by American artist Paul McCarthy in 2001. Officially the work represents Santa Claus holding a Christmas tree in his hands, but the artist has implied that it could also represent a buttplug.
Most people here travel by bikes and own two bikes.
Walking around the city was very wet and cold.
We got back on the bus and there were now more people than when we stopped. Netherlands has not been one of my favorite stops. Maybe due to the weather. The Dutch government is a parliamentary democracy, which according to the constitution of the Netherlands consists of the King (or Queen) as the head of state and the Council of Ministers. Willem-Alexander is King of the Netherlands.
I am so happy to see our ship. We are cold and wet.
Here’s today’s Daily Planner, and the dinner menu.
Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.
RFID Blocking Wallet – Minimalist Leather Business Credit Card Holder –Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3yzVX7D I love love love these business credit card holders. I carry three of them in my pocketbook. All different colors – One for gift cards, one for business cards, and one for credit card, license, and insurance card. Look at the great assortment of colors. A perfect way to stay organized. It is so convenient to grab the one with your credit card, license, insurance card, and even a few dollars. Slip it in your jeans pocket and you are set to go. The colors are the best. Get a few in different colors. Everyone should have at least one of these.
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To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count