From Dordrecht harbor to Kinderdijk's windmills

**This post is going to sound a little weird because I 'abandoned' it on the 7 Dec 2010**


Enough of trains, tried something different that day - Took the ferry to Kinderdijk!

Famous bridge in Rotterdam....Cat mentioned about it quite a few times.. Erasmus, was it? (haha okay I cheated I still have to google)

 

Reminds me of New York!

Floating Unilever building!

The ferry ride was very 'calming', there were only a few elderly ppl on board and I nearly felt asleep! I woke up and first thing I did was to look around and see whether I'd missed my stop but I admit it is rather pointless because all I could see was water.

I arrived at the harbor feeling 'deserted'. There's no one there!!! This is definitely not how I imagined it would be. So Rik told me to take the ferry straight to Kinderdijk or something but nature's calling urged me to explore Dordrecht first...

I THINK this is Dordrecht *cough cough* it's been quite a while and now I don't rem my own photos haha crap. But I do remember the long winding street (also because Kinderdijk is a whole lot more rural than this -_- ) It was still pretty early so all the shops were closed!

First thing first, breakfast and toilet break hehe Okay they don't have English menu but by now I should be able to identify Tosti Ham/Kaas.



Chocolat Chaud tasting. Connoisseur Verdict: too diluted! Miss Starbucks' Chocolat Chaud in Paris (of all things...)

The view was nice though! The place I was sitting is like a balcony, so it's almost like I'm sitting above the canal.

Pasar pagi hehe. I remember seeing some Vietnamese spring rolls stall even.

The flowers at the stals were really cute!! I'd totally get one if I was living there.

Somehow the way back to the harbor felt farther. And it was very cold that day! Maybe because it's near the water? Anyway when I got back to the harbor I was quite shocked that I couldn't find "Kinderdijk" on the timetable *GASPS!  I sms-ed Rik whom replied me with lightning speed because "iphone rules" (Rik, oct 2010) But turned out that he didnt know either *GASPS GASPS GASPS!

Imagine, stranded in the middle of nowhere, alone. AND it started to drizzle. Nice. Finally a ferry came and I asked the not-so-friendly-looking lady and she told me to take a ferry to Ridderkerk, then from Ridderkerk I can take ANOTHER ferry to Kinderdijk. Oh and after I reached Ridderkerk I changed my mind abt Dordrecht harbor looking deserted. It's worse in Ridderkerk, maybe because it's near to an industrial area?

Finally, Kinderdijk!!! But no windmills in sight (-_- ; ) It looks like an ordinary neighborhood with no tourist signboard. So I had to follow my instinct again.

Seriously how did I figure that I should turn right?! (it was the right way - pun not intended haha)

DENG DENG DENG!!!

DENG DENG DENG!!!! ok enough already.

Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous its big group of windmills built since 1740!

Actually before I found the entrance to the windmill site, I could see one or two windmills from afar when I was walking in the neighborhood. They look quite mysterious hehe

It was all cloudy and rainy but I love the weather! Granted, a little troublesome because I had to take out the umbrella every now and then but I think the gloomy weather actually accentuate the beauty of these windmills *cough cough*

Most of the windmills are actually privately-owned, except for windmill no.2 or something that is opened for the public. Entrance fee is around EUR2.50 or something, you can use the toilet so I figure it's a good deal *cough cough*

It's SO FREAKING SMALL inside the windmill. Can't imagine the whole Dutch family living in here!

This is apparently where the kids play and the little window is actually their bed's "entrance" (O_o) It's a little too cramped for a short Asian girl like me and Dutch people are like what, 10ft tall or something? LOL

The design of the window is cute but it looks very depressing cuz it's so small.

The staircase are super tiny and I constantly feared that I was going to fell off it.

The living room + kitchen + dining room

I actually think it's quite spooky in there...

Finally, a photo that was not taken by myself hahaha GUESS WHAT, an Indian lady did it! I love the mood of this photo!!

Bought a soft cream on my way back to the harbor, it's so delicious!!!

Ok so now I remember, when I got back to Dordrecht, it was still early so I actually hung out a little while there and found this super delicious custard pie!! According to my research *ahem* Dordrecht is supposedly famous for its apple pie but i'm not a big fan of fruits so i opted for this and it was the BEST.CHOICE.EVER!!

When you don't feel like spending money on maps hehe. I think the custard pie has some bad effect on my 'navigation instinct' because I sorta got lost while eating it. Couldn't find the train station until I asked someone from the street.

Made my way back to Rotterdam in one piece. Took this photo because I realised I don't have a proper photo of the famous cube houses!

Had dinner at Beat Burger.... I think it's supposedly an organic burger restaurant?

Not very sure about how organic it is but one thing for sure - it's a really cool place to hang out. Unfortunately it's gone now!?!?!?!?! *sobs*

In memory of the late Beat Burger,I shall post another photo of the burger. Till this day i still don't know what that clump of 'stuff' is. Cold rice?

Saw this photo and now I remember why I took it - I wasn't happy with the drinks cuz they served it with no ice and my coke light had no gas!!

We took a small walk after dinner around Rotterdam at the risk of my life - nearly froze to death (T_T) *cue for Linkin Park's "Numb"

Nyehehe the t-shirt I bought in Haarlem! I learnt something new that day - You don't necessarily have to buy something in order to use the toilet in the restaurant! A very kind (not to mention cute too - bonus!) guy at a cafe in Dordrecht let me use the washroom for free. Lesson of the day: Don't take free toilet for granted!