#MyVikingStory

Dordrecht is not a stop on any other of Viking’s Rhine cruises; normally it’s Kinderdijk. Ted and I have toured that town’s windmills twice, so we were pleased to have a new place to discover.

But first, one more lovely breakfast, this time a custom-created salmon and spinach omelette. I don’t get spoiled like this when I’m prepping breakfast for myself!

Our morning was spent cruising the swollen river Waal, which is what the Rhine is called after it leaves Germany and enters the Netherlands. We continued to see treetops peeking out from completely submerged islands, flooded river’s edge properties, and incredibly fast-moving waters, all under grey, cloudy skies – but as long as it is not actively raining or snowing there is hope for dropping water levels.

Temperatures continue to be above normal, 7°C/45°F today, although it’s so damp and sunless that it feels colder.

Our included 2-1/2 hour tour today: Discover the famous landmarks that dot the historic neighborhoods of Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland.Granted city rights in 1220, Dordrecht played an important role in trade, politics and religion for many centuries. Meet your knowledgeable guide and set off on foot for the city’s older sections. Your leisurely walk will take you past many warehouses and mansions, as well as several notable buildings. See the Groothoofdspoort, the former city gate located at the confluence of three rivers, as well as “Het Hof”—a medieval monastery that showcases the history and culture of The Netherlands. Admire the Gothic Grote Kerk, with its unfinished tower, and the classical facades of the Augustijnenkerk church and Stadhuis (City Hall). Afterward, you may choose to spend more time in the city exploring at your leisure or walk back to your awaiting ship.

By the time we reached Dordrecht it was raining. Steadily. Again. Still. We opted not to get off the ship, instead hanging out after lunch with wine and a couple of hours of great conversation with Sinde and Malcolm, who are both travel buffs and avid readers. I came away with some new mystery series to try on Sinde’s recommendation, and a reminder from Malcolm (a retired AP Literature teacher) to renew my relationship with some of the classics.

Bottom line: we didn’t see Dordrecht.

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Dinner tonight featured regional Dutch specialties: bitterballen (beef croquettes) as the appetizer, and Waterzooi (shrimp, mussels, cod, and vegetables in lobster sauce), but both Ted and I opted for duck breast with shiitake mushrooms and butternut squash, in a Korean barbecue sauce instead of the seafood. Dessert was an apricot tart.

We had one more evening of live musical guests on board tonight: a trio called “Cherry Pop”, comprised of a female vocalist and an accompanist on double bass. Their repertoire is heavy on 50’s and 60’s Motown and Soul, and they were okay, but not so good as to keep us from an early bedtime.

Tomorrow we fly back to Canada. As is so often the case on our Viking cruises, I’d happily just stay on board. The Einar does one more opposite direction cruise before going into its winter dock on December 27th. Program Director Emilie said they do indeed have one cabin available, but we’ve made prior arrangements – and after all, we’ll be on the go again early in January (although not with Viking this time).