GIETHOORN: Venice of the Netherlands

One month after my 67th birthday and two months after we celebrated it, I am finally ready to tell you about Giethoorn, the Dutch Venice of the North.

As with the Moses Bridge back in April, we first heard about this Little Venice from my daughter's father-in-law in California.  Imagine that.  And ever since, I've been dying to visit it.  So THAT was what Astrid gave me for my birthday this year!

First things first, we drove straight to our Fam. Groen B&B...approx. 90 miles from home.

We LOVE B&Bs because of all the stories and personal touch:

She (sadly) has cancer; her mother had just fallen and she was on the phone with her daughter;

both she and her husband had owned a café in town for years and traveled around the world during vacations;
 their other daughter is gay and in a loving relationship; now they are retired with this darling B&B.

Our hostess recommended a place for lunch which was on our walk to our reserved boat.

Hollands Venetië = Holland's Venice.

Astrid had reserved a small motor boat for 4 hours, starting at 1:30 p.m.

It was a nice walk from the B&B with the café in between.  Perfect timing.

Astrid did all her research ahead of time and chose 't Zwaantje (the Little Swan).

 And thus began our 4-hour tour of one of Holland's best-kept secrets.

Actually, it's not a secret, which is why we went in mid-May before tourist season.

During high season (now!) there can be 700 boats at a time on these very narrow canals.

But while we were there in mid-May, all the boating was leisurely.  

So much so, the kids were able to do their thing after school!

 Did I mention only residents are able to drive cars in the town center?

Everyone else gets around on foot, bike or boat.

And if you want to go visit someone by boat, just pull up and dock yourself!

That includes going to the restaurant or grocery store.

You can see the pride of ownership here, can't you!

One reason why we chose 4 hours instead of 2 was because of the nearby Bovenwijden Lake.

A loop including the lake would take us through the town, out onto the lake and then back into town.

It's a man-made lake only a meter deep, 2 km long and 1 km wide...another playground for the kids.

The house out in the middle (top-left image) is the Kraggehuis, a place you can rent.

And yes, that's a windmill (left-middle) without its sails!  Lots of windmills, as you see.

 As we rode back into town, these friendly cows greeted us.

 And then just like that, before we finished saying "MOO MOO,"

we happened upon this wedding photo-shoot!

 Astrid stopped the boat's engine and docked nearby so we could watch and shoot.

Listening to the photographer's instructions was half the fun.

At this point, he was having them run back-n-forth across the bridge.

And yes, that's the one church in town as the backdrop.

Of course, they ended up in the Love Boat!

All before our very eyes.

Truth be told, they probably got married in the Gemeentehuis = Town Hall,

which we passed as we returned the boat.  Not in the church.  Or maybe both?

(click any collage to enlarge)

 After returning the boat, we walked back to town to see it on foot.

It was totally different, of course, from another POV (point of view).

Is it enough to whet your appetite?

It's a birthday present I'll never forget!

And with enough weathervanes to put frosting on the cake!

Happy Birthday to me!  :)  Thanks to Astrid!