Day 11, September 3, 2012
Scheveningen to Rotterdam: 26.2 miles, total mileage 286.2 miles

Today we did not go far in mileage, but it took a long time.  For most of the day, we traveled near the tram.  Scheveningen and Rotterdam were both full of trams.  We had seen the tram on Sunday but today, every tram was packed with commuters.

 Those not in a car or on the tram commuted to work on their bikes.  We saw our first bicycle "fender bender" which involved bags being knocked askew.  These riders were in De Haag (The Hague).  We also saw many important buildings although we did not go off route to see the US Embassy.

After we left Den Haag and its suburbs, we were back on a path that paralleled a canal.  In addition to the expected boats and birds, we saw someone swimming in the canal.  Then we stopped for a short chat with this fisherman and to admire his steel head worthy fishing pole.

The next city we passed through was Delft.  The Delft Pottery de Delftse Pauw is located on the outskirts of town.  We were able to tuck the bike in the back and take a tour of the factory.  Gerald explained the process and it was fascinating.  He is holding a stencil of a plate design.  Each piece is hand painted and we were able to watch two of their artisans hard at work.

This collection of plates was breathtakingly beautiful. Paul is also smiling because there wasn't enough room in our bags nor could we guarantee the safety of that large plate.  The reason he is smiling is because that plate cost 1295 euros!

 We lunched in Delft by the canal.  We just don't tire of this sight.

 After leaving Delft, we were back in the country.  This small ferry crosses one of the large canals.  It is a self propelled cable ferry.  Those two people are turning  a wheel which is moving them across the canal.  Glad we were going straight!

 This path doesn't look very wide because it isn't!  My mirror was brushing against the hedge.  Sitting on the bike, the edge seemed much closer.  Not long after this, we reached the outskirts of Rotterdam.

 Here is my one school picture.  This sight is the parking lot at the high school.  There are easily 500 bikes here.  Glad that we missed dismissal.

After many road and tram crossings, a few missed turns and lots of people both on foot and bike, we reached our destination for the night.  Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands, it is totally different from Amsterdam.  In Amsterdam we saw locals and so many tourists.  Here is a diversity of people and not so many tourists.  Everywhere we have been has been a little bit the same and a little bit different.