We started today with a bus and canal tour of Amsterdam city and the old housing areas for the wealthy and the poor. We saw the house where Rembrandt lived out his final days and the house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Germans during World War II and she wrote her diary. Afterward we had free time in the city and we had a walk around the floating flower markets. The markets are the length of a city block and have every type of flower bulbs imaginable - amaryllis, tulips, anemones, dahlias, iris etc. We also had a look through the Royal Delft Pottery exhibition and it was amazing.

Amsterdam has a similar look and feel to Paris. En-route back to meet the ship we stopped at a restored traditional windmill built in 1696 - it ceased as a working mill in 1961.

While we were touring the ship sailed ahead to Wijk bij Duurstede (67 klm upstream) and when we finished the bus drove ahead and waited for the ship to dock. The afternoon was free-time onboard as the ship sailed on through Holland. We were able to sit on our deck or in the lounge and enjoy the beautiful passing views.

We passed under the Arnhem Road Bridge the setting for 'A Bridge Too Far' (1977 epic war film based on the 1974 book of the same name). The film tells the story of the failure of Operation Market Garden during World War II, the Allied attempt to break through German lines and seize several bridges in the occupied Netherlands, including the one at Arnhem, with the main objective of outflanking German defences.

Since leaving Wijk we have gone through 2 locks and have risen about 5 metres.

Following dinner we were entertained by a string trio La Strada (2 violins & a guitar) with classical, gypsy and Spanish music. They were excellent.

Today's insights:
There are 155 passengers on board - 3 NZ, 8 UK & 144 Aussies.
Two pieces of safety advice from our cruise director regarding Amsterdam:
1. Watch out for trams - remember stealth: when you hear "Ping, Ping" you're already dead, and
2. Watch out for bicycles. Please look to the left, right, up, down, under, everywhere - before you walk.