Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Waterland wanderings - 7 April 2007

MonnickendamMonnickendam market

Monnickendam centreBy the time our final canal cruise had finished, the day had improved considerably so we bought a Bus Pass to the Waterland area. What excellent value! For €10, the two of us (but we could have had 5 people), we were able to travel all day this area. We intended to bus all the way to Marken but the first bus that came along was going via Monnickendam, the first stop on our intended route, so we took it and explored this very picturesque market town.

Marken
MarkenBack on the bus again we crossed the causeway to Marken, until the 50’s an island with a population of 70 families. This small fishing village now has a population of 2000 but the original town has, apparently, no street names – with only 70 families why would you need them?

Marken form the harbour
Leaving the ‘island’ in the traditional manner, we took the ferry across the bay to Volendam. Here they have given up on traditional fishing and abandoned themselves to the tourist coaches; so it is very touristy and not as enjoyable.

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