Each morning for the next 6 days, we awoke to breakfast, packed our lunches (or food supply for the day), readied our bicycles and were off for the day of cycling. Each day we averaged about 30 miles. The bicycles were 21 speed, all terrain bikes with large saddlebags for lunches, souvenirs, extra clothing and cameras.

Our bicycle guide, Jans, was terrific. Throughout the week we visited Utrecht, Schoonhoven, Delft, Leiden, and Haarlem. Our daily cycling, took us through quaint villages, past a stork farm, farmland and all the farm animals, cheese farms, the seaside with sand dunes and some grand country estates. Every where we looked we saw rivers and canals and of course, windmills. Throughout the week, we also visited a castle, saw a weighing house for witches, toured a working windmill. Visited the Hague- where the seat of Parliament is, the china factory (where they make the famous Delft Blue pottery), a pump station, several museums, a cheese factory, and of course the wooden shoe factory. Each evening, after dinner, Jans took us on a walking tour of the city we were staying in. He provided us with a detailed history lesson of that city and also of our own country. We all learned a tremendous amount from him.

For those that choose not to bike or take a day off, Jans was able to provide us with directions and recommendations of what to do. It was very easy to travel to the same places as the bikers, by taking the train or bus. Transportation was no problem. And even to stay on the barge, was quite interesting as it meandered down the canals and through the locks. A small group, was able to visit the Floriade, which occurs once every ten years. It is an exhibit of flowers and plants from around the world. It was extremely breathtaking and beautiful. Our last night in Amsterdam, was spent taking a canal trip and of course, exploring the red light district.

On the following Saturday, we said goodbye to 4 members of our group, as they were traveling back home, and the rest of the group started on the next part of our adventure.

We were transferred to the train station, where we boarded the train (with all our luggage!!) for a 3 hour train ride to Brugge, Belgium. After making one transfer, we were meet in Brugge by a bus that took us to our hotel. After checking in and relaxing, we were met by a guide to take us on a 2 hour walking tour of the most beautiful historical city in Belgium. Brugge is full of interesting architecture, cobble stone streets, old churches, shops with beautiful lace and lots of chocolate.

Even though we had a lot of rain and high winds, and inconvenienced by the train, the group hung together helping each other out, kept a wonderful attitude and did not complain. It was definitely a fun trip and I think everyone would do it again!!

Jackie England, trip leader.