Aug 23 (Saturday) – Enjoying a Nighttime Sail

We spent the morning working (photos and just stuff).  Around mid-day we wandered down to the sidewalk pop-up eatery outside the hotel and got some food.  And continued working in the afternoon, with occasional stops to enjoy the pageant outside our balcony. 

And we did some wandering along the harbor front for close-up visits. 

Today there were a lot of rowing teams, or crew, out on the water. 

And a fire boat put on quite a show.

The crowds continued to pack the sidewalks around the hotel. 

**********************************
Video of crowds
**********************************

We arranged for a taxi to pick us up at 5:00 to take us to the Sail Village for evening sail.  Unfortunately, the taxi was unable to get through the various blockades.  Fortunately, there was a taxi just outside the hotel (he said he had “snuck in”).  But the streets were packed with pedestrians, bicycles and cars so it was a slow slog getting off the island. 

He was able to eventually get us to the Sail Village where we enjoyed this musical group while waiting to board the boat. 

The boat headed out shortly after 7:00.  They had dinner set up for us almost immediately. 

******************************************
Video of party boat next to our boat
******************************************

We eventually arrived in the harbor and hit a bit of gridlock.  The boats were barely moving.  Looked like all the big ones must have arrived at almost the exact same time.  Even the little boats were moving slower than usual. 

****************************************
Video of boats after turnaround
****************************************

They take the bridge apart to allow the tall masted boats though:
*******************************************
Video of us going through the bridge
*******************************************

**********************************
Video of turnaround area
**********************************

As the sun went down we got a very nice sunset that was viewed through the masts and riggings of all the boats. 

And the Ferris Wheel near our hotel added a bit of magic to the evening.  

But the entire harbor grew magical as the boat lite up and the lights shown on the water.  A lovely evening cruise. 

We sailed around the corner to the next harbor.  At 10:30 the main fireworks went off from the Amsterdam Tower right beside the harbor.  It was about a 10-minute display. 

And as soon as the display was over all the boats started setting off their horns.  Was a “blast”. 

**********************************
Video 1 of fireworks
**********************************

**********************************
Video 2 of fireworks
**********************************

**********************************
Video 3 of fireworks
**********************************

**********************************
Video 4 of fireworks
**********************************

**********************************
Video 5 of fireworks
**********************************

**********************************
Video 6 of fireworks
*********************************

Then it was a cruise back to the Sail Village, arriving about midnight.  Our driver was a little late but not too bad (he had gone to one of the other villages).  We were back at the hotel and in bed by about 1:30.  Cold and tired but it was a fun day.