Sunday July 16 – In the Port of Rotterdam – After an early breakfast, we went ashore (greeted by a sign “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to loose sight of the shore”) and got a Taxi (right hand drive) with a very pleasant and knowledgeable local driver to take us around Rotterdam. It was a good choice as our afternoon tour took us straight out of the city to The Hague and Delft, thus we were able to visit all three cities.
Rotterdam, population 750,000 is the largest port in Europe with 10,000 docking space and moving millions of tons of cargo. The section from the sea, along the mouth of the Rhine River to the city takes 2 1/2 hours to navigate and on both sides all the way are docks.
After crossing the modern Erasmus bridge, opened by President Clinton, which has one pylon at one end with cables from it suspending the full length, to another Wilhelm bridge to the center of town. We were struck by the modern architecture as most of the buildings had been destroyed during WW2. In this square was a strange statue that had images that appeared from to be from the Danish Hans Christen Anderson tales, but other key features were the box houses, the building with external pipes, the church and the market. First to the Box houses, these are cubes with pointed sides up and down, thus on their sides, with windows that if opened, were likely to spill out all items or people as they were on an incline facing the street below. These were located next to the Rotterdam Blaak subway and train station with double decker parking for bicycles and a roof that looked like a flying saucer. The building to the side of the cubes has bright yellow tubes like large (3 foot diameter) ventilation tubes on the outside of the building. Opposite was a Nessen shaped 8-10 story building with oval roof and vertical sides that housed a marketplace in the center and verandah apartments on the sides. Entering the building there were numerous shows, 4 levels of underground parking and the 250 foot length with window walls at each side, was covered with a marine / fish / grains and in general food mural covering the entire length of the ceiling. Restaurants on the outer perimeter looked over a green and towards the Laurenskerk church (Gothic 1449-1425 is the only mediaeval building left standing in the city). A relatively un decorated church, that the driver said was Catholic, but the absence of Crucifix and other usual features made us question the denomination. The exception being the opulently decorated organ in crimson and gold and saint statues in the windows. The open market was being set up for Sunday sales.
Our next stop was at the 1960 built Euromast (www.euromast.nl) a tower that takes you to the viewing platform 100 meters above ground level for a fabulous view of Rotterdam. A restaurant is also located at this level as is the ability to descend over the edge on a rope, for those brave enough to attempt the feat!!! We opted to enter a circular revolving room wide enough for single seats around the core and windows overlooking the city, which rotated for 360 degree views as it ascended the additional 80 meters to the top. The day was perfect and a clear view of the parks, river, docks and buildings rewarded ones senses.
At this point it was time to return to the port where after a quick sandwich we boarded the coaches for The Hague founded in 1125 and b y 1246 a Count ruled the area giving his son the task of building the parliament building that is still in use today. Thus it is the seat of government, but not the Capital, and has a population of 600,000. The 41 passengers and excellent tour guide Maria made our way through the streets and out of Rotterdam to the nearby city, home to The International Court of Justice as well as other important criminal bodies as well as many embassies and parliament. It is interesting to note that the country is The Netherlands (a constitutional monarchy – William Alexander is the king and has an Argentinian wife – population 17MM) and that area of the country where The Hague, Amsterdam (population 900,000 and the Capital) and Rotterdam are located is known as Holland. The guide was excellent explaining buildings (Peace Palace, Courts etc) and giving us facts and figures as we toured The Hague. We did not get out but the area where the embassies are located was very impressive as were the many other buildings. In 1584 the country was taken over by King Philip II of Spain and Catholicism imposed. By 1648 Spain was ejected and the population all but eliminated Catholicism and became protestants. William the Silent became the “father ” of the country and the golden age was entered with painters such as Vermeer, Rembrandt etc for some 100 years. It first became a Republic then a Monarchy in 1830. I had been to the model village of Madeurodam many decades ago, but forgot that it was in The Hague – well worth a visit if I recall.
The Netherlands is know for it’s Cheese, Tulips (introduced VI’s the King of Austria), Wooden shoes (made by farmers to work in their wet fields so their leather shoes could be saved for proper occasions) and Delft Blue pottery. Thus we drove to the nearby town of Delft where we visited the one remaining ceramic factory of the nearly 100 that existed. when raw materials, particularly clay, the industry was overtaken and almost obliterated by Wedgwood and other UK entities. The Koninklijke Porceleyne Fils factory was fascinating and the best ware is hand-painted. Apprentices work for 8-10 years before becoming master painters. If the piece has orange on it, the likelihood is high that it was for Royalty. Also telling the hand-painted from the stenciled can be done as the latter has just writing indicating that it is Royal Delft, whereas the former has an earthenware pot on top of a capital F under which in script is the word Delft. On either side of the F can be the initials of the master artist and an indication (in code) of the year of fabrication. Some of the best pieces are the yearly Christmas plates.
Our last stop was the central square which was bounded at the two principal ends by a large church and the Justice courts at the other end. On this day the central area was filled with artisans selling their wares as well as a general marketplace.
Returning to the ship we purchased some cheese and enjoyed champagne and cheese on the Clifford’s balcony as we watched the sail away and the 2 hours of river with it’s multiple docks. Dinner in the cafeteria and an early night ensued.
Roger & Anne Travels 