The land of windmills, Kinderdijk

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 care of elderly. 

• Largest industry is agriculture

• 40% income tax on average salary of 20,000

• To get a subsidized apartment is a 13 year wait list.

• The staff of the Viking vessel were not allowed to leave the boat due to Covid for the last 4 1/2 months

• It was also noted that there were only two staff members focused on doing dishes for 120 guests three meals a day, oh and that same staff clean the kitchen in their spare time

This was also the land of Kevin’s Grandfather on his dad’s side.  Unfortunately, Kevin did not even think about researching what area of the Netherlands his grandfather came from.  It would have been fun to explore the roots of the Smit family.

Kevin did see his mega yacht in the final stages of being completed.  He drooled., and is awaiting Santa’s delivery.

As the Viking ship docked in Kinderdijk the snow was turning to rain and the wind became very blustery.  Kevin and Theresa grabbed ship umbrellas and joined the walking tour of the windmills which were just across the road from the dockage.  The group moved too slow to keep warm and dry in the rain and cold temps.  The guide would stop to tell of the engineering and history of the water management and windmills.  


The highlight of the tour was going inside a working windmill.  The structure in its past was home to a Miller, his wife and up to 12 children.  The direction of the blades of the windmill were managed by a Wheel on the outside of the structure.  The wheel was designed to look like and act as the Ships Wheel on the Black Pearl. Arrgh! The Miller would have to unchain the wheel, and manually rotate it by brute force.  


The guide explained that the wooden shoes would be used allowing the Miller to stand on the spokes of the wheel in an effort to apply force to the turning of the wheel.  The wheel was attached to the top of the windmill via chains and pulleys for the mill.  This effort by the Miller resulted in a slow rotation of the top portion (like a mushroom cap with cylindrical bearings to allow rotation) as it guided the blades into the wind.  In strong winds the blades could be clocked at up to 100 mph.

There were several living areas in the bottom of the mill and more rooms for beds and study on the other 3 levels.  The steps were more like ladders as you needed to face the steps when you make your careful decent.  See more pictures.

The tour guide gathered everyone once again to continue the tour.  Kevin and Theresa were cold and very wet so they headed back to the ship. 

Kevin for the third time disputed the fraudulent credit card charges as they continue to show up on our account.  This dispute was followed up by a phone call to CITI fraud department.  The attempted to assure Kevin that he had done all that was needed.

That evening we also learned that The Netherlands was invoking a 5pm mandatory shutdown of restaurants (including Hotels) and bars starting the day we arrive in Amsterdam.

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