Groningen

Our next stop was a town called Groningen.  Over half the population travels to school and work by bike according to the travel book......and I believe it!  Bikes everywhere......so I took one out from our hotel and rode with the locals.  It is  home to a university founded in 1614, which is on the right above.
On the left is the train station.

We stayed  for 5 nights so I got pretty comfortable riding around the town.
This garden is called Prinsenhof  it has a sundial from 1730 and is still laid out the same as it was in the 18th century.

Sadly, the huge museum in town was closed for renovations :0(
It stands on a island in the 19th century Verbindingskanaal ( canal)...the museum opened in 1994 and I wonder why it already needs renovations?

The flower market

Saturday at the flower market drew a great crowd......it was a wonder to behold and backs up to a canal

with a floating bike parking area.

views from the canals

Houseboats on the canals are the solution to a housing shortage.
These canals are closed a few nights each week  when the water is exchanged for clean water using a
complex system of locks.
The historic houses lining the canals were built in 17 and 18th century by wealthy merchants. but the city of Amsterdam dates back to 1275.  

Amsterdam train station

This is  three tiered parking for bikes at the train station and still it is not enough.
Getting into the station is a maze of bikes blocking nearly every walkway.  We arrived in the morning

after leaving the airport by train right into the heart of town.  Our hotel was an easy 5 minute walk from the station.......we just had to be careful not to get hit by a bike!

Next we got on a tour boat like in the picture and toured the canals through town.......here is a historic building that was once a warehouse now its a fancy apartment.
Amsterdam is unlike any other city I have ever seen!

Home again Home again jiggiety jog

I'm just home from a terrific trip to the Netherlands!

Final round

Oh goodness I am glad to be done with this challenge!  Now to get it quilted and given to Lily before 2010 is over..........maybe a Christmas gift to her :0)....   she'll be two in August.