Day 10

Well, it was time to say good-bye to our lovely windmill. We headed back to Delft today as tomorrow we would be returning home already. We drove to Delft to the Hotel de Koophandel. It was in the middle of a really cool square, full of various restaurants and cafes and even lots of trees! When we arrived at the Koophandel, we hardly thought we were in a hotel! The outside doors were in between two other businesses, pretty much “squished” on either side. But once inside there were stairs going everywhere, the hotel actually had 25 rooms (and not these teeny-tiny rooms you can sometimes get), they were really spacious rooms!

Entrance to de Koophandel

View from our window at the hotel

Another view from our window

We dropped off our bags in our rooms and walked around looking for a café to sit and have a snack in. There was one in particular that Mom and Dad wanted to take us too – because it had a really cool bathroom! Well, the restaurant was packed, so we didn’t eat there, but we still had to take a picture of the bathroom. So, here’s what seems to be my latest fad (pictures in odd places)!

My second "bathroom" shot...at least it's just the sink this time!

After we ate (at a different place), we left to go look around Delft and to finish off any last minute shopping. Our first stop was the Nieuwe Kerk – and what a first stop! We climbed all the way to the top of the tower using a very steep and winding staircase – it was quite the workout! There were two look-outs, I thought the first one was high…but boy oh boy, we were incredibly high up on the second one! The view was amazing from the top – I would imagine that we were about the tallest building around. We were even able to see the area around our first “home” while in Holland, the Lusthof. After making our way down the steep steep steep stairs (it seemed to be harder to walk down then it did to go up!), we toured around inside the main floor of the Church. Although not as decorated at the Saint Jans Cathedral, it was still a very impressive Church too see. The church is the burial spot of Prince William of Orange and members of his family. The Royal House still uses the vaults there as their final resting places as well, there were some very impressive monuments there in recognition of that family.

Nieuwe Kerk

Going up, up, up!

View of Delft thru a little window on the way up the stairs

Alvar "hanging out"

View from the first "deck" of a neighbouring Church

Alvar's Mom is actually sitting at these tables, we waved, she waved back!

View of City Hall from the second "deck" (i.e. really really really high)

Long, long, long way down

View of Delft from the top (second deck again)

View of the neighbouring Church again, from the second deck

Inside view of the Church

Organ in the Church

Monument for Prince William of Orange

Statue of Prince William, and his dog - apparently went with him everywhere

After the tour of the Church, we left to do some sight seeing and shopping (souvenirs!) around the area (no shortage of shops for that!). We joined up with everyone else for dinner later that evening at the Billy Beer – I very much enjoyed my chicken sauté (absolutely loved the peanut sauce!!). When dinner was done, we had a bit more free time to roam around Delft at night – it was surprisingly quiet (unlike the square where our hotel was). We met at 10pm for a “night-cap” and last evening together – it was enjoyable sitting around together outside (even though a bit chilly!) – watching all the “commotion” around us from all the other bars and cafes. Our last night in Holland, it was hard to believe.

Canals in Delft

Can the cars get a little closer to the edge???

City Hall in Delft