EXPERIENCE SOUTH AFRICA
Our Country has so much to offer
SINCE the days when trade winds were used to travel south, there have been strong ties with South Africa. Nowadays, the Dutch are known for using bicycles as a favourite form of transport, while in Amsterdam, canals replace roads.
Karen Watkins recently spent a long layover there and found the language and culture similar to South Africa, but not the same.
Barges, bridges and bicycles, a canal cruise are the perfect way to explore Europe’s largest historic city centre which boasts almost 7 000 monuments. The original plan was to hire a bicycle and explore, but seeing the way cyclists rule the roads added to the challenge of cycling on the “wrong” side of the road. A canal trip held more appeal.
Arriving at Amsterdam Central Station, a short ride from Schiphol airport, the gloriously golden NeoRenaissance brick railway terminus was completed in 1889.
The gilded clock to the left of the entrance, also showing wind direction, is testimony to Amsterdam’s early reliance on wind to power her sailing ships.
Across the square, the information office is the place to buy tickets for a hop-on, hop-off bus or equivalent canal trip.
Choosing the one-hour “100 Highlights Cruise”, we set off from the eastern dock on a “rondvaart
boot”, as they are known to locals, the cabin warm and filled with tables and chairs.
Floating past buildings and boats mirrored in water, listening to historical comment, we passed the Sea Palace, a Chinese restaurant resembling a Hong Kong floating emporium, with seating for 900.