Flowers, Seaside, and Amsterdam

This was an unusual day. We rode first to the Aalsmeer Flower Auction. The huge warehouse was filled with mini trucks and drivers transporting buckets of flowers delivered 24/7 to the winners of the auction which begins at 6 AM. There is a complex bidding process followed by distribution of the flowers to the bidder. Between these times the mini truck drivers pull many carts with shelves and flowers with designated destinations taped to their buckets. They move rapidly.  The sight of their speed at which they travel and the absolute gorgeousness of the flowers were wonders to enjoy.

The time with flowers was much too short for me; yet we traveled next to a small town at the North Sea. Noordwijk an Zee has a beach front with very soft sand. We walked at and in the water which was very cool but not cold, The sea looked shallow a great distance until the horizon where it turned deep blue and was ringed with wind turbines. We enjoyed lunch together at a beachfront cafe and then had time to walk along the beach again. This was a relaxing experience.  There were people on the beach using a variety of tent-like wind breakers which also helped shade them from the bright sun.

We arrived in Amsterdam after 3 PM and said a fond farewell to Rob, our coach driver. He was so friendly and perky. From now on we either walk or travel by tram or bus. We had a short time to settle into our rooms.

We met to walk 15 minutes to the tram which  brought us to the stop closest to the canal where we met our canal cruise boat captain.  We had received instructions on how to avoid bicycle riders and where to walk, to cross the street after looking in both directions for bicycles 🚲 and to walk showing self-assurance. Ruby told us that cyclists will not stop for pedestrians, that cyclists have the right of way.

The canal cruise highlighted history and uniqueness if buildings.  At least one car falls into a canal per month as well as several bikes. The cruise time passed too rapidly. We then walked an Indonesian restaurant for rijjksttafel dinner of many many different offerings: three kinds of rice and sates, shrimp, chips sweet plantain chips hot and cold veggies, and drumsticks, all with special sauces.  Ruby had talked to us about the Dutch colonization of Indonesia and the taking this dish and many spices. Back to the Netherlands.  This history lesson was most valuable. 

We walked another 20 minutes back to the hotel, and now it is after 1030, and Premilla is already asleep.  I hope to be asleep soon, too.

Gute Nacht, Susan

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