The Naked Kayaker
  • Blog
    • Search the site
  • Resources
    • Complete List of Posts
    • Trip Planning 101
    • Intro to Kayaking - Course Outline
    • Where can I rent a kayak in Belgium/the Netherlands?
    • How do I get certified in NL?
    • Map of Paddling Clubs
    • Dutch-English Watersports Dictionary
  • Destinations
    • West Coast
    • Great Lakes Region
    • New York State
    • New England
    • Europe
    • Oceania
  • Water Nerd
  • About & Contact

Blog

"Believe me, my young friend. There is nothing, absolutely nothing,
half so worth doing as simply messing around in boats." 

The Wind in the Willows

"Patatje met tocht" aka "french fries and a paddle" to Rotterdam centrum

3/24/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
This photo really captures the essence of this paddle!
As I pack my bags for a paddling trip tomorrow, I realize I've forgotten to finish this post about a recent trip to Rotterdam centrum. A couple weeks ago Joachim organized a relaxing/low-key trip from the kayaking club on Kralingse Plas to the center of Rotterdam. We took a different route into Rotterdam than in previous trips. We saw a number of iconic Rotterdam sites, and ended up in the heart of the city during the peak of the Saturday market. â€‹Read on for a short post with plenty of photos from a wintery urban paddle!
Picture
Joachim and Henk getting their gear together at the clubhouse.
Picture
Birds-eye view of my new water bottle (and kayak!). I somehow lose a Nalgene once a year, usually on an airplane...
Picture
Everyone making their way down to the dock.
We were a pretty big group! The trip was organized by Joachim and joined by Marianne, Erik, Caroline, Emile, Elsbeth, Elika, Paula, another gentleman whose name I'm forgetting..., Henk, and I. 
Picture
It was a cool, calm morning on the lake.
The lock connecting the Kralingse Plas to the canal system of Rotterdam is not operational in winter. However, they sometimes take appointments. Joachim called ahead, and there was a friendly gentleman at-the-ready when we paddled up to the lock. No need to portage on the way to the center! It's always fun to ride the lock :)
Picture
Entering the lock that connects Kralingse Plas with the canal system of Rotterdam. Up we go!
Since the previous week had been extremely cold, we were met with big sheets of ice drifting around in the lock. It was also full of debris and garbage (the whole city, really). I guess the canal cleaners haven't done spring cleaning yet... 
Picture
We all piled in, and the doors closed behind us. We tried to avoid chunks of ice floating in the lock.
After the lift, the doors opened and we were on our way!
Picture
The sun came out for a few minutes!
I really liked the stretch from Crooswijk to the center. There are plenty of interesting buildings, parks, and people to spot. I've biked these streets many times, so it was fun to see them from the water's perspective.
Picture
Coming up to a bend in the canal in Crooswijk, called the "Crooswijksebocht"
Picture
Picture
Paddling under a bridge as the tram glides over it.
Picture
Paddling along some iconic houses jutting into the river in the centrum.
Picture
Modern architecture next to old churches, seen from a canoe.
Picture
Henk was curious about what was behind these round windows. But even he was a bit too short...
Picture
The old church!
Picture
When you paddle through city centers, you often get photographed. People always seem surprised when you turn around and do the same thing!
Picture
This arm of the river ends abruptly at this dam in the center. The Markthal is on the right.
In the city center, we helped each other climb out of our boats onto the high dock - getting in/out can be tricky when your boat starts to drift under the dock. Paula stayed by the boats and ate some snacks while the rest of us headed to the Saturday market and ate fresh fish (Dutch raw herring!) and french fries + mayo (pictured at the beginning). Mmmmmm... I must say, part of what the Netherlands lacks in natural waterways is made up for by the accessibility to delicious snacks/drinks. 
Picture
We made it to our destination: the city center, just steps away from the Saturday market and tasty fish, fries, and veggies.
Henk and I left a bit earlier than everyone else because I had to catch a flight to Germany in the evening. 10 minutes later I realized I didn't have my key to the club, and quickly paddled back to ask whether I could borrow one from the group. Luckily Caroline had an extra one! I made it to my flight with plenty of time to spare :) 

Tomorrow is another day on the water. Destination: the North Sea! ...assuming the forecast stays favorable! 
Date: Saturday, March 10th, 2018
Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Duration: 3 hrs, including stop at the market for fries!
Weather: Unusually warm and sunny/cloudy
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Welcome!

    This is a blog about exploring the outdoors (mostly by kayak), traveling, trip planning, and coastal engineering. It currently focuses on kayaking in the Netherlands and Belgium, but previous posts cover Upstate New York, California, and much more. See the Complete List of Blog Posts for a history of the site. Looking for something specific? Search the site here.

    In addition to the blog, check out the Water Nerd section, where I write about coastal engineering and hydrology. 

    ​Happy Paddling!
    ​Nena

    Subscribe Here!

    Email updates on new blog posts, about once per month.

    Reader Tips

    Click the "Read More" link at the bottom of each summary for more photos, to see an interactive map of the route, and to read about the adventure.

    Maps in each blog post: Click the icons to learn more about the launch site (amenities) and destinations. Click the square in the bottom-left corner to see an aerial photo behind the route.
    Suggestions much appreciated!


    Archives

    December 2020
    April 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    May 2011
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010


    Categories

    All
    Biking
    Camping
    Canoeing
    City Trip
    Distance: 00 - 05 Miles
    Distance: 05 - 10 Miles
    Distance: 10 - 15 Miles
    Distance: 15 - 20 Miles
    Distance: > 20 Miles
    Guest Post
    Hiking
    Kayak Polo
    Reflections
    Region: Belgium
    Region: California
    Region: Canary Islands
    Region: Croatia
    Region: France
    Region: Great Lakes
    Region: Greece
    Region: Italy
    Region: Netherlands
    Region: New York
    Region: New Zealand
    Region: Norway
    Region: Oregon
    Region: Portugal
    Region: Spain
    Region: Switzerland
    Region: UK
    Region: US East Coast
    Region: Vancouver
    Region: Washington
    Roadtrip
    Tide: Non-Tidal
    Tides: Non-Tidal
    Tides: Tidal
    Time Capsules
    Trip Planning 101
    Type: Bay
    Type: Canal
    Type: Channel
    Type: Fjord
    Type: Lake
    Type: Lake/Reservoir
    Type: Open Coast
    Type: River
    Water Nerd

    RSS Feed

    Click the RSS Feed link, copy the URL, and paste it into your favorite feed reader.
    Blog Expat: living abroad

    Expats Blog
© 2021 The Naked Kayaker. All rights Reserved.