This morning after another delicious breakfast in The Bridges restaurant, we pack our bags to leave. Before our taxi arrives, we take a short tour in our hotel to learn the history. Before it became a hotel in the 1990’s, there were two buildings built in 1411 as a convent. During the reformation period around 1578, no convents allowed so these buildings became the Amsterdam city hall. The tour guide, Sam, tells us that the two buildings were combined during the 1700’s when money was flowing from the Dutch East Indies Company trade with Amsterdam their home base.

This is when the marble staircase went in. The stained glass windows were presented as a gift from Rotterdam in celebration of the 650 year of the city. We toured the Mayor and Alderman’s offices with carved mahogany doors and green velvet walls. Next, entry into the council chamber with art panels and carved wooden features on display.

The main council room was used for the wedding of Princess Beatrix in the 1960’s. Because the building is historical, nothing can be altered – take a look at the carpet. The same from the 1960’s!

Later I researched and discovered that the buildings in this area were part of the religious quarter during the medieval ages with several convents.

The one our hotel faced across the canal became the city orphanage. We wondered why there were always walking tour groups stopping in front of this building.

A 20 minute taxi ride and we are at the Viking Rolf ship. Easy check-in process. A brief is held at 6 PM to cover what will be happening on this cruise. With the Rhine River levels low, the itinerary will be changing. Fortunately, we no longer will have to experience a 7+ hour bus ride. Instead, the Captain has determined that the ship will now travel to Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Brussels before we will disembark this ship to transfer by bus only a couple of hours to another ship. Of course things can change along the way so flexibility is the key.

Happy to be on board a ship again! And especially a Viking!