During breakfast, our barge cruised to Breukelen (pronounced “Brooklyn”), so we could grab our bikes for a 31 miles ride to Utrecht.  We cycled along the beautiful and winding river Vecht with its enchanting background of imposing castles, country houses, and quaint tearooms.  (Yes, I’m borrowing language from our written guide!)  In Utrecht, we had lunch, visited the Dom Cathedral, and wandered around the town.

While Joel went in search of an ATM, I meandered the streets to take photos.  On one street, a couple – Saskia and Woud – stood outside their apartment building and asked me to take their photo.  Then, they asked if I had been in the alley behind their building.  Slightly trepidatious, I said “no.”  They suggested I join them since it was a beautiful place to take pictures.  What ensued was a private customized walking tour of the village of Utrecht!  They took me to back alleys, hidden gardens, and ancient buildings.  What a treat!

We made it to my bike by the meeting time of 2:30, and they waved off our group with big smiles.

That evening, the barge cruised from Utrecht to Rotterdam, with sunlight remaining for us to take a walk in town after dinner.

On one of MANY bridges we used to cross over the multitude of canals!

We checked – not for sale.  🙂

Several times, we have had to stop for drawbridges.

Canals and bridges in Utrecht.

Saskia and Woud, standing outside their building.  Woud wanted me to note the old dragon decoration above his shoulder.

The skinniest house in Utrecht.

The narrowest alley in Utrecht.

The church buries homeless people, who have no known family, and hangs engraved charms on its “Tree of Life” to memorialize these individuals.

One of the secret gardens Saskia and Wouk showed me.  The buildings are centuries old and used to house unmarried women, often widows.

First view of Rotterdam, where our barge will dock for two nights.