The first part of today’s ride was to Aalsmeer, home to the worlds’s largest flower auction. Only 12 of the 24 riders chose to cycle today. Rain, wind and cool temperatures have taken a toll. There were 8 people from the other group and four from Sue’s (the group I am in) that rode today. From our group it was Fred, Ray, Ellen and me. It was 49 degrees with 15 mph winds from the WNW and gusts up to 30 mph. There were only a few times during the day when we were into a headwind and that was a good thing because when we finished riding, it was 51 degrees with 18 mph winds and gusts up to 35 mph. Due to the rain, I didn’t get many outdoor pictures.
It was an 8.3-mile ride to the flower auction where we were given a tour that included trying our hands at “purchasing” a flower at the exact moment the guide asked us to achieve. We aimed for 40 cents and then 50 cents. The “clock” moves with one hand until it reaches the point you, as a buyer, would want to pay per plant. It was fun to try and get the exact amount. Fred managed to time it just right two times. After we left the flower auction, we traveled along the Amstel River and through the Amsterdam Forest. We met the barge at one location and then cruised into Amsterdam. The mooring site is in the center of the city.
Almost everyone chose to go do some initial exploring of the city. I decided to stay back and stay warm. The chill from the ride today is still with me. I will explore tomorrow. Those that did explore met another downpour.
Our farewell dinner was once again melt in your mouth delicious. It began with salmon tartar, with a main course of either prawns (shrimp) or steak. We had a unique dessert as the chef brought it out on a platter with a giant “sparkler.” We ended the night reflecting on the trip and going over plans for tomorrow as we exit the barge. What was very obvious the whole trip was that the Dutch are amazing in unforeseen situations. Wouter summed it up with a Dutch saying: When you can’t do it the way you should do it, do it the way that you can do it.
Although this is the first picture, this was me at the end of the day’s and week’s ride
At the very start of today’s ride out of Oude Wetering, those of us that cycled took a very short ferry ride.
Near the beginning of the ride. I had six layers and at about mile five I thought “I may need to take off a layer.” Well, that thought faded as the light rain turned to a downpour.
This is Fort Kudelstaart. It is one of fourteen fortresses built in about 1910 in preparation for WWI. It is now a UNESCO heritage site,
The four riders from Sue’s group that cycled today as we took shelter during one of the many deluges throughout the day.
The “clock” used at the Flower Auction. Note the white light on near the 40. If a plant or lot is not sold on the day of auction, it is destroyed to maintain price stability,
Behind each number, and directly in front of where you sit, is a button that you push as you get to the price you want to pay for the flower/plant. This is actually a small auction area as most included room for hundred of buyers.
A bike used about 100 years ago for transporting flowers.
A sample of one of 200 different hydrangea varieties grown in the green houses at the Flower Auction.
Once we left the Flower Auction, we were supposed to be on our own and following our own GPS, however after the first several riders made a wrong turn out of the parking lot, our guide Wouter decided to do one last ride and guided us back to the barge.
Wouter was lifted in celebration at the end of the day’s ride; his last VBT tour he will lead,
I noticed the captain, Frank, was wearing a Detroit sweatshirt. I asked him for a photo; unfortunately, his eyes were closed. The engine in one of his prior boats was a Detroit Diesel, so he bought a Detroit sweat shirt as a memento.
A view from the barge as we made our way to the mooring location in Amsterdam.
This rain jacket is officially retired from my wardrobe - into the trash it goes.
Our barge is moored next to another barge, so if you wanted to go into town, you needed to walk across the barge next to us.
Photo courtesy of Lynda and Ray. They went into a convenience store and saw these edibles.
The crew and guides from left: Gert (chef), Lawrence (2nd mate), Frank (captain), Luna (waitress and room attendant), Wouter (guide) and Lia (guide).
A special dessert was served tonight.
