Ride: 10km; total: 1,545km
Rain, cold and windy, forecast was 6-20deg, but
didn't feel anywhere near that warm all day
A fairly ordinary breakfast of bread, cold meat and boiled
eggs, and the coffee was served in a plain jug that quickly went cold.
However, had plenty to eat and got a free lunch from the buffet.
Then we rode the 3km to the ferry which took 40 minutes to
go across to Rotterdam.
After Graham booked his ferry to the UK at the Info Centre
next to the main railway station, we rode 1km to my motel, the Breitner,
160euro for 2 nights B&B. Dumped our gear, changed then went for a
walk around the city and waterfront.
Rotterdam is the second largest
city in the Netherlands
and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam constructed in
1270 on the Rotte River, Rotterdam
has grown into a major international commercial centre. Its strategic location
at the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta on the North Sea and at the heart of a massive
rail, road, air and inland waterway distribution system extending throughout
Europe is the reason that Rotterdam is often
called the "Gateway to Europe". Built mostly behind dikes, large parts of the
Rotterdam are
below sea level. For instance, the Prins Alexander Polder in the northeast of Rotterdam extends 6 metres
below sea level. The lowest point in the Netherlands (6.76 metres (22.2 ft) below sea
level) is situated just to the east of Rotterdam.
Graham went back to the room at 2:00pm to catch a bus to the
ferry port at the Europort at the Hoek of Holland. I continued my walk to
look around this big and interesting port city.
Got caught out in a big storm, but managed to stay dry under a tree and
my rain jacket. Had a nice afternoon cup of tea (now a daily ritual) at the
Euro-tower. A nice view out over a canal. with floating restaurants. Called at a supermarket
and bought dinner, crab, salad, olives and yoghurt. All very nice.
Spent the rest of the day indoors as the weather was
downright nasty, very windy and rain squalls. Welcome to Rotterdam!
The ferry taking us to Rotterdam
On the ferry
An artistic park bench in Het Park Rotterdam
Cube Houses - Rotterdam
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