Rotterdam: Day Two
When we woke up in the morning, it was drizzling outside. The weather forgot to mention that would be happening… we thought nothing but sunshine. Thankfully, it only lasted a short while and then, it was crisp and clear! We would be meeting our guests at the station next to us, but first we decided to wander as the outdoor market was being set up.
With an hour still to wait, we stopped in for a Cappuccino while we waited for the market to open up. We learned that once again, we are in Rotterdam for a big game! Last year we arrived to see and hear the jubilation of winning the Championship and this year, Feyenoord won the finals. The town definitely goes crazy! Last year everything was closed down for the game but this year they said most restaurants will be open :-)
Our guests made it easily from Amsterdam on the train. We knew once they arrived they’d have no problem because right outside the train station are these notable points of reference. Once again, here’s a view of our accommodations.
As a thank you for all the work done so far on our home, we buddy passed Chuck and Jeremy to Europe for a week of fun. Since we have no insurance and sustained incredible damage (as seen in previous posts on www.duelingtimezones.com ), we have relied on these two for the bulk of the repair. Chuck arrived on September 21st and has worked tirelessly. There is no way to fully repay the gift of getting us back in our home, but this is a start. We helped him get the first passport he’s had since the 70’s or 80’s. Of course, we have a long way to go until the house is completed but everyone needs a break!
We decided to start with a beer and appetizer. You can imagine our shock when this giant plate was delivered to our table! That should keep us busy… we had planned on not eating too much to save room for a special dinner! Oh well… dig in!
From our outdoor table, we could see the bell tower of the Grot of Sint-Laurenskerk. This beautiful building is the only piece of medieval history left in the city. The long build period for this church began in 1449. During the 1940 Rotterdam Blitz, it was heavily damaged. Many thought it should be demolished like the rest of the city but Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands stopped the destruction. Whether or not to rebuild was very controversial. I’m glad it was decided to save this meaningful piece of architecture. I know the meaning of having a symbol of resilience after going through a disaster… this is Rotterdam’s symbol! The same building from another angle epitomizes Rotterdam… tulips blooming in front on this gorgeous spring day! So colorful!
We couldn’t have a more perfect day. Look… only ONE cloud in the sky. The weather is a warm 78 degrees. There is a very light breeze making it nice for walking around to see the sights.
Don't mind if I do... Nothing could have kept us away from a dinner at Jamie Oliver’s… but when we saw this sign, we walked right in and made a reservation for dinner. This place tends to fill up, although maybe not tonight with the game going on. Nice little reminder of springtime!
As we walked off our large “snack”, we passed a large monument with unusual sculptures surrounding it. It is the “Ode to Marten Toonder”, a beloved comic. This is one of four characters from his comic strip.
As part of the Maritime Museum, this boat harbor is part of the experience when buying tickets. Last time we were here, it was closed and this time… we had jetlagged people. We just did a broad overview of the area. There is quite a bit of information written as we strolled along the harbor. Boat tours also leave from this area.
This beautiful bridge is a relatively new addition to Rotterdam. Completed in 1996, the 2631 foot bridge is low enough that ships cannot pass by. Last year, we docked right at the base of the Erasmus. Connecting the north and south parts of the city, there is only one bridge larger in the Netherlands. The building behind the Erasmus Bridge leans and appears to be held up by a pole. It's slightly unnerving to stand below it! Chuck and Jeremy were intrigued by this leaning structure!
Don't want to overwhelm... more tomorrow :-)
