The entrance to the Kuekenhuf Gardens. It’s a show garden for tulip growers to show off their wares for the next year’s bulb purchases. It is only open for 7 weeks to the public! I don’t have much to say in this blog because today was really a visual feast of color and needs no explanation. 
Fields of tulips behind us
Good bye from Amsterdam! Time to head home
Today Susan and I are heading into the little town where we are docked to visit a local restaurant and taste the local oysters.
Right out of town we run into a giant oyster! 
a champion oyster chucker 
This is What we came for!
The pacific oyster is the one with the black rim and the flat oyster is the one native to Zeeland, Netherlands. After 1964, when the weather caused a devastation of the entire crop of flat shell oysters. Pacific ones were imported from Japan and they have gone crazy. Now they are the predominate variety and have to be controlled as best as can.
Fishermen in the harbor
The restaurant
Empty bowl of delicious!
Bowls of cockles (my new love),carpet shells and razor back clams.so very good!
One of the local lobsters!
Inside the museum showing the area
The Delta works regulated how much of the North Sea water is allowed into the area
The town was completely destroyed and this is the new town rebuilt
Hot milk,whipped cream and chocolate pieces to add to your milk. Al says it was tasty. 
The government used concrete casions that were fromWW2 used as portable docks for the D-day invasion and floated them into place to repair the dike is 1953 after the flood. When the repair was complete,the casions are now used to house a small museum that houses a collection of items used in daily life in 1953 when the flood hit. Thousands died at that time. All of the items were donated from what was left of the homes.
Pre covid, we had planned a trip that was Belgium and the Netherlands. I watched a movie about Brugge one time and it looked like such a beautiful city that I’ve always wanted to see it.Today at least for the day, I got to fulfill that dream. But first a few words about where we docked for the night..We are back into the Netherlands in the area known as Zeeland. This is land that was completely reclaimed from the sea. Due to high winds and rough seas we had to find this port in the storm so to speak. So instead of a half hour drive to Brugge we will spend 2 hours on the bus to get there… oh well, one thing we’ve learned is when you travel you must be flexible. While on the bus I took a few pictures of the land as we drove by.
Our first rainbow of the day. It was windy, rainy and cold
On a bridge going over the river 
The green grassy area is the dike.
Brugge! More medieval buildings.
One of many squares surrounded by buildings with large community space.
The entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Blood
Inside the up stairs. 
The pulpit
Stairs up to the chapel
The upstairs chapel was restored in the 18th century and was very ornate and decorated. Downstairs was the medieval chapel. Such a difference. Upstairs:wealth downstairs:regular people worshiped.
The market square. 
The bell tower
Canals
The city coat of arms
While in the market square we decided to have lunch. Of course it had to be Mussels and Fries! 
And a cherry beer!
After lunch we continued to walk around the city.
We did get to see the Madonna & child but it was through a glass partition and just not that interesting to me, go figure! Guess I’m renaissanced out!
Outside the church
View of the church from the canal
Interesting doorway on out way to the pickup spot
The bus car park outside of Brugge. From here we return to our ship for the evening. This has been a great day for me. I love the city and would enjoy visiting again for a longer time.This group of passengers have been together for 60 days. As was the custom, the farewell from the Captain was held the day before our last...
