Nomads a drift

Upon arrival in Amsterdam Kevin and Theresa had to vacate the room by 8 AM with luggage tagged and placed out their door.  A 10:30 taxi had been scheduled to transport us from the ship to the Train Station to meet up with the Whites for the next phase of the adventure.  The lounge was home for those waiting hours.  They were entertained by the sun as it rose slowly over the IJ river, and the iconic Amsterdam skyline. The taxi ride was less than a mile from the ship to the central train station, which is the hub of traveling in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and beyond. The travelers paid the €10 to the taxi cab driver to get from the vessel to the train station!   Viking also charged each of the two travelers an extra $100 for not continuing with their journey and working outside of their process. Kevin and Theresa walked the length of the central train station to finally connect with James and Melissa (a.k.a. Opee and Tuna).  It had been 16 years since we las...

During the morning sail to Kinderdijk, as temps dipped below 0C and snow began to fly, there was a presentation on Cheeses and other regional information of life in general in the Netherlands.  This was home for the program director so she was quite proud to share how life is lived in her land as well as working on the Viking ship. We learned some Netherlands and Vikings fun information: • It is the 3rd most densely populated country in the EU.  Where some areas are 18 feet below sea level making it is a country of canals and dykes.  Water management is a prime concern, and a department not controlled by government.  Windmills were originally designed, and continue to pump out water from the low lands (bosom) into the canals. • Field hockey is the most popular sport followed by soccer. • Parents pay 1800 Euro a year for a college student. • Everyone pays 60 Euro a month for health care. • No senior homes, however families are subsidized to help take car...

All the passengers on board were thrilled that the Cologne Christmas markets had not been cancelled!  However due to low water issues the ship had to dock outside of town and groups would have to be bussed in to the market area.  The busses provided an hour tour thru the central city for the guests before they were released to shop.  The travelers were then led on foot and ended in the Christmas Markets once they opened around 11AM. The tour walked along the river and under an elevated train rail.  The trains would pass over the river on this bridges every 45 seconds.  There was also a set of stairs up to the train/pedestrian bridge.   The steps also accommodated bicycles.  See the video above.  The tour continued into the old section of town. This area along the river was vital to the citizens of Cologne for income and trade.  It is the point on the river were the larger deeper boats had to dock, unload their goods to then be placed o...