RHINE RIVER CRUISE: Eighth Post

I've wanted to visit Holland ever since my dad brought me a pair of wooden shoes from that country when I was a teenager. And on May 7, 2015, my long-awaited dream came true. Anticipation mounted as our ship cruised toward the village of Kinderdijk.

My first view of windmills at Kinderdijk. 
Click photos to enlarge.

Our first stop on our guided tour was at the pump house located in this building. Here we saw all kinds of machinery that works to help keep the area from flooding. Because the area is below sea level, a system of windmills was built in the 1740s. Nineteen are still standing; a few are still operating daily.

Wooden shoes like the pair I had when I was a teenager.

At one time there were more that 150 windmills in the Alblasserwaard and Vijfheerenlanden region, but that has dropped. Kinderdijk claims 19 of the 28 left.

As you will see, I snapped lots of pictures of windmills.
 

We toured one of the working windmills. As soon as I stepped inside, I sensed the presence of smart, hard-working Dutch people. If not for them, much of The Netherlands would have been covered by water centuries ago.

The view from inside a windmill. One of the sails is to the right.

We climbed up and down steps.

A huge wooden cogged gear.

Families lived in the windmills. Here are

a living room and a bed. This particular 
windmill had two tiny "bedrooms."

Note the sewing machine on the 
table, and the lovely hanging lamp.

A walk through the kitchen.

I liked the frilly curtains on the window.

The wheel that turns the cap and the sails to face the wind.

We were fortunate to see the keeper unfurling the sails, which are made of sailcloth. Every evening he removes the sails; each morning he puts them back on. Sails must also be removed during the day if a too-strong wind comes up.

Both Ron and I hated to leave The Netherlands, but we are thankful we had the opportunity to visit this incredible place.

Goodbye, lovely Holland.

To see a Kinderdijk windmill working, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SQmoKxYYaM

RHINE RIVER CRUISE: Fourth Post

Leaving Breisach, Germany, on May 3rd, we traveled down the mighty Rhine toward Strasbourg, France. Did you know that 14,000 boats travel the Rhine every single day? That's a lot of boats! We passed castles, vineyards, small towns. And, of course, I took lots of pictures, most from the top deck of our ship. 

 A wind surfer enjoying the wind and high water.

One of the numerous wineries and vineyards.

Another vineyard.

 Clouds starting to build.

 

 A small town along the river. Note the vineyard 

and winery in the background.

 Love the architecture--a blend of old and new.

 The vineyards are planted vertically to take 

advantage of the sun and the drainage.

What could be lovelier than an old fortress

surrounded by a vineyard?

A picturesque village with vineyards keeping watch.

 More lovely architecture and grape vines.

I can't imagine any warring people breaching 

these castle walls.

One of many commercial riverboats.

 Mountains, vineyards, the Rhine, a castle, and a 

village--what more could you want?

 Many trains passed along the river.

 More mountains, vineyards, a village, 

and a flooded Rhine River.

 Another village with a small fortress just in case.

To work these steep vineyards, workers have to 

hook up to wires or ropes.

Click to enlarge and you will see three men 

working on the vines.

 Another castle and more grape vines.

 I think the architecture here is incredible.

 

 A "ship" that isn't really a ship.

 Passengers enjoying the scenery from the top deck.

 An incredible view.

 Storm's coming.

Another view from the top deck.

 Close to civilization.

More old and not as old.

 The building closer to the center is a hotel.

More lovely architecture.

Hope you've enjoyed the cruise. More will come in a few days.