Days 10 & 11, 24-25th April Cologne to Amsterdam

 Day 10 Cologne

We are in the city of Cologne today - we have been twice prior with a cruise & then with our friends Anna & Rudy. But the cathedral still does not disappoint….there were a lot of people here, maybe also due to  the passing of Pope Francis. The stained glass windows are magnificent throughout and there are  lot of crypts —- dating back to 1063 I think & maybe before. So much history here & one of the few structures left standing after WWll bombings.

Because we had been before, we didnt join the walking tours, instead wandering around on our own, through the church & town. Thing open late in Europe - smaller towns are about 11am & 10am here in Cologne.

Back to the ship for a lovely lunch then mooched around while we sailed all afternoon & evening to get to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. We had dinner with out Utah friends & caught up on each others adventures, then into bed. We walked our 10,000 steps today!

They had the 70s & 80s disco at 9:15pm, the 2 activities managers dressed up as alter ego’s & we had to all guess the 3 most played songs. Of course Abbas Dancing Queen was top of the list- was a fun evening with everyone dancing, although it gets Very hot in the lounges, probably due to the low ceilings and smaller spaces. Was fun anyway, just had to go change!

Day 11 - 25th April ANZAC day. Amsterdam 

It was nice today, even though they dont follow ANZAC day in Europe, the room attendant had put sprigs of rosemary & a red ribbon on a pin, plus a bowl with a red ribbon & Anzac biscuits for us! Such a nice thought.

We were up & after Brekky, we were off to Keukenhof tulip gardens at 8am which are only open or 6 weeks a year. We went there on tour 10 yrs ago & it is just as beautiful this time round, although there are SO many more people there now, very very crowded. Enjoyed the beautiful displays though and walked all morning looking at them- so many photos haha! The bus left at 12pm back to the ship.  All the walking would have helped to work off some of the yummy lunch we had when we got back. The food has been superb onboard & they are turning out food for 180 in a small galley Im sure, but it runs like a well oiled rag. 

Then we went out to walk Amsterdam. Being the biggest celebration weekend for King Alexanders birthday -Amsterdam is p.a.c.k.e.d! Mostly seems to be young British & a lot of older Americans in the streets. Orange is the national colour, so lots of orange shirts everywhere in a city where anything goes. Shops advertising party pills, cannabis, sex & many others!! 

We wandered around for a couple of hours then back to the ship- had enough of the very acrid smelling weed in the streets- much stronger smelling than at home. We walked 19,000 steps today - 15kms! 

Back to the cabin to pack our suitcases- always seems like so much to squeeze in when you are visiting cold destinations! We’ve had rain pretty much the whole way to date- a pity, but I always think you get what you get with weather as you cant change it, so just do it anyway!

We sat with our Utah friends on one side & our San Fran/Portland friends on the other, for the last supper. We’ve enjoyed their company for sure! Back to the room for final pack ups. We are looking forward to being able to have earlier dinners on our next cruise, as you dont finish dinner here until about 9:30pm, which makes for late nights & early mornings every day! Getting older & feel it haha.