New York City, Holland and Belgium in the Springtime
April 19 - May 6, 2014
Part Three - River Cruise Begins
Page 6 - Hoorn and Enkhuizen, Netherlands
We started our river cruise by cruising from Amsterdam overnight
to the town of Hoorn
on our Grand Circle boat River Harmony.
Hoorn, once one of Holland's richest port cities,
was a headquarters of the Dutch East India Company. The
town dates back to 1357. Canals run through the town.
The coat of arms of Hoorn is a coat of arms that has been in use
since the middle ages.
Westfries Museum is a museum of regional history established
in the Dutch city of Hoorn.
It was opened in January 1880 and was established in a
building dating to 1632.
The Dutch royal family originates from the county of Nassau in
Germany, and the lion on their royal arms is the same as the lion
on the oldest arms of Nassau, dating from the thirteenth century.
Coot family making a home in the harbor area
Baby coot peering out from under Mom's protective body
Due to all the canals and rivers, water fowl are abundant
in the Netherlands. Here is a heron just standing on the
sidewalk in Hoorn.
Dutch child in Hoorn
View of Hoorn harbor and a church
from our River Harmony boat.
The second evening of the cruise, the Captain welcomed the passengers
prior to the Welcome Dinner on board.
The next morning we entered a locks ABOVE the road on
our way to the town of Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen was one of the harbor-towns of the East Indian Co.,
just like Hoorn and Amsterdam, from where overseas trade with
the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. It
prospered due to its herring fishing industry and trade. The port
sat on the edge of the Zuider Zee, an inlet of the North Sea until
it was enclosed in 1932. Now, the town sits on the Ijsselmeer, the
large inland lake created by the damming of the sea outlet.
Street scene in Enkhuizen
While attempting to park along a canal in the Netherlands,
a driver could easily drive his/her car into a canal. I understand
it does happen.
A canal that runs through Enkhuizen
Owner of a fish shop in Enkhuizen
Helene, our program director, showing us how to eat herring.
Religion in the Netherlands was predominantly Christian until late
into the 20th century. Although religious diversity remains, there has
been a decline of religious adherence. The Netherlands is one of the
most secular countries in Western Europe, with only 39% being
religiously affiliated (31% for those under 35), and fewer than 5.6%
visiting church regularly (meaning once or more per month) in 2010.
Religion is, in the Netherlands, generally considered a personal matter
which is not supposed to be promoted in public.
Link to Page 7 - Zuiderzee Outdoor Museum, Home Visit, Ship Entertainment
Pat's Home Page