HeinBloed-Blog: ROTTERDAM May 4-11, 2024 from Rotterdam to Rotterdam via the Norwegian Fjords

[HeinBloed]

WELCOME TO THE NEW BLOG ON ROTTERDAM 04.-11.05.2024
 

It's about great encounters — with old friends and new friends — traveling together with other like-minded people. There is a beautiful ship in the center, incredible fjord landscapes, a sea of tulips, and a lot of history: for the eye in Belgium and the ears of Edvard Grieg in Bergen, Norway.

[HeinBloed]

Day 0.A/B pre-cruise - on the way to Belgium

 

A HeinBloed blog never begins with boarding. Therefore, it starts with the first leg to Düsseldorf, Germany, so we can complete our program in Belgium tomorrow.

 

We meet Bruce and Jeng, two friends from Canada we knew from the last OOSTERDAM trip. To make room for their luggage, we must first get rid of our large luggage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Before returning to Bart and Jan's farmhouse, we look around Ghent, Belgium.

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel

https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/04/tagday-0ab-auf-dem-weg-zuron-way-to.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 0.C in Bruges and Ypres

 

Bart and Jan live south of Bruges, Belgium, and Bruce and Jeng have never been here, so the obligatory round with chocolate, beautiful facades, and lots of canals. But also later about the senselessness of every war in the fields of Flanders.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-0c-auf-dem-weg-zuron-way-to.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 1 Embarkation

 

In the morning, I see ROTTERDAM V (SS ROTTERDAM), ROTTERDAM VI (BOREALIS), and ROTTERDAM VII (current ROTTERDAM) - and the docking at sunrise.

 

On board, we get to know the first great crew members: April welcomes us at the Mariners, Ross is a friend of Jenny (who we know from the OOSTERDAM), and she takes care of our wishes in the main restaurant. Lynn and Izay fulfill my non-alcoholic cocktail wishes.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-01-auf-deron-rotterdam-in.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 2 at sea

 

I love it when a sea day follows boarding. Then, I can get myself sorted out and settle in. We have a great cabin steward, (D)Jalu, and a well-known hotel manager from the OOSTERDAM, Iulian. I'm deliberately mentioning them in the same line because it doesn't matter what rank they have: at Holland America, we always feel very well-respected by the crew. Monica also recognizes me from the OOSTERDAM. Even our captain, Kevin from the OOSTERDAM, is on board as a passenger. At Club Orange, we are very well-regarded by Elena, Hedy, and Nattichai. I take a selfie with Staff Captain Willem because his face looks familiar, but where do I know him from? Fortunately, the connection between Holland and flowers has remained unmistakable on board.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/seetagday-at-sea-02-auf-deron-rotterdam.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 3 in Eidfjord and the Hardangerfljord

 

I also like to take my first trip at my leisure. But because the ferry from Ulvik to Eidfjord only runs once a day, we have to get up early — a trip using public transport.

 

On board, we see Ketut again, whom we know from the OOSTERDAM.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-03-auf-deron-rotterdam-in.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 4 in Molde and on the Atlantic Road in the footsteps of James Bond 007

 

With Svein, we have a great ambassador for Norway. We just mention Fiskebollar, brown cheese, and salmon, and everything becomes part of the tour. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to drive as fast on the Atlantic Road as James Bond 007 in the film No Time to Die.

 

As we set sail, I'm filled with anticipation for the night tour. The ship, with its alluring charm, sets the perfect backdrop for our social interactions. The tour concludes with a delightful coffee session at the Grand Dutch Café, shared with Bas, Panashee, and Deem.

 

Finally, we managed to see everyone at the Friends of Dorothy meeting: Tom, Barry, Ricardo, and Kris.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-04-auf-deron-rotterdam-in-molde.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 5 in Geiranger
 

Luckily, we didn't book anything in advance. The weather isn't very inviting in the morning, but it gets adorable at lunchtime, so our tour with Todor starts at the perfect time. Since you can't get to Dalsnibba, he takes us on another ideal tour. Memories of our WESTERDAM trip come back. It's just incredible.

Back on board, we try Morimoto at Sea, but it's not really my thing. I prefer Rudi's Sel de Mer and the normal Tamarind. Nevertheless, we experience fantastic service: Ane, Jayson, Clarance, Jhernie, and Nestor. I skip the Orange Party. It's too late and too loud for me.

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-05-auf-deron-rotterdam-in.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 6 in Bergen

 

For the third time, a cruise takes us to Bergen, Norway. It's pouring with rain this time, so it's a good opportunity to go to a museum — in this case, the Edvard Grieg Museum. I love Edvard Grieg, and this visit impressed me. Back in Bergen, we wait until the rain stops, and then we manage to walk to the fish market again.

 

On board, we also have to say goodbye to Evelyn, the late shift at the Grand Dutch Café. I had a long conversation with Cruise and Travel Director Nick: I shouldn't give up hope that HAL will be the piece I know and appreciate again. Classical music will also be playing on the dam ships again.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-06-auf-deron-rotterdam-in-bergen.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 7 at sea

 

Now, we can rest for one more day before heading home. But it's also time to say goodbye. The Friends of Dorothy group part ways over a shared brunch. It's also time to say goodbye to Martin from the late shift at the Grand Dutch Café. By chance, we met Cellar Master Ricky, who we know from the VEENDAM trip. And we take the opportunity to thank Joseph, Naso'i, Executive Chef Noorul and his Galley team, the Club Orange team including Elena, Yudo, Dany, Adi, Chandra, Nattichai, Hery, Eddy, Ris-Dee and last but not least, Captain Bas van Dreumel, for the great trip. An excellent trip comes to an end.

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/seetagday-at-sea-07-auf-deron-rotterdam.html

 

[HeinBloed]

Day 8 Disembarkation and homeward bound

 

Before we say goodbye to ROTTERDAM for good, we meet an old friend and a new member of the Club Orange family: Widodo. Before we reach Germany, we must eat a piece of Dutch apple pie — but with cream, please. The last trip was the best. But we also look forward to our next trip with HAL and AZAMARA QUEST in September. Tot ziens!

 

Link to the chapter / Link zu dem Kapitel
https://heinbloed-hal.blogspot.com/2024/05/tagday-08-auf-deron-rotterdam-in.html