Age and Antiquity: Still Amsterdam

Amsterdam Canal

We spent the night on the boat, but when we awoke we were still in Amsterdam. A canal tour followed by a walking tour of the Old Town was included in our cruise, so we took off in the pouring rain tethered to our guide by a wireless audio system. This tour did the outer canals, so it didn't repeat territory already covered. The rain soon cleared, the guide was knowledgeable, and it was a pleasant morning even for someone who has already admitted to not being a very good tourist.

Back to the boat after our tour where we had lunch and an early departure. It seems the water levels in the Rhine are low, so the boat will have to fight its way up the river against the current and take longer than usual. Water levels are the bugaboo of river cruises ---- too low and the boats can't get through the locks or run aground, too high and the boats can't get under the bridges. I was surprised to learn that our big boat draws only around 1 1/2 meter; the Rhine averages only 3 1/2 meters; it's now at about 1 1/2 meter but rising. Thus, we can be thankful for the rain. Often the boats have to dock and what are supposed to be cruise tours continue by bus/hotel, but Avalon manages to complete about 95% of their cruises close to schedule.

At any rate, I'm on vacation and quite content to let the captain and crew worry about water levels, just like I'll leave the weather to God. We loved Amsterdam, but it's finally time to move on.