Dutch Art, At Last

 Today's post should be relatively short.  Yesterday, we had again enjoyed a relaxing day at sea.  In the morning, we were greeted by dolphin swimming along with us, but they were too fast for me to get a good picture.

The weather was fine with much sun, little wind, and temps in the 60's.  We were able to take a couple of nice walks around the deck.  Mixed in with it all was lunch with Susanna, the Food & Beverage Manager and dinner with Julie, the Cruise Director.  Somehow, I could stand more days like that.

Today we were in Amsterdam, sort of.  Due to tide and water conditions, the ship had to dock in IJmuiden, about a 45 minute drive from Amsterdam.  After some uncertainty about what would happen, Oceania provided free shuttle buses into Amsterdam which we took advantage of.  After being dropped near the central train station, we took the roughly 35 minute walk to the Rijksmuseum.

I am a lover of Dutch art and we had not been to the Rijksmuseum for many years and it was renovated since our last visit.  Last September, when we were cruising on the Marina we were supposed to stop in Amsterdam and I was excited to get to the museum.  And then Covid got in the way - the Netherlands closed to cruise ships.  No Rijksmuseum!  Today we made it.  After a stop for coffee, of course, we spent a couple of hours enjoying the Dutch Masters.

After leaving the museum, we wandered back toward the bus rendezvous spot, along canals and past squares.  We found a nice side street with a few restaurants.  We checked out the menu at the supposed traditional Dutch restaurant and found it to be quite meat intensive.  So we opted for the vegan restaurant across the street.  It still surprises me to think about the turn that our diet has taken.

After lunch it was really time to make our way to the bus, but, somehow, we managed to squeeze in a coffee stop.

We made it to the bus with 5 minutes to spare - and we weren't the last to get there.

So, it was mission accomplished in Amsterdam though we could have used more time.  I am sure that there will be a next time.

Tomorrow we're in Zeebruges, Belgium and then Friday it's Honfleur, France.  And that will be it before we disembark in Portsmouth.  It always seems to go so fast.

Peace and blessings,

Linda an Larry