| | We took our regular bikes with us from Alpen aan de Rijn to Rotterdam and they stand, neat and trim, in the bicycle shed of the marina. As long as we are still in Holland, we are going to try to do as much by bike as we can, to improve our condition and this won’t be a problem, since the City Marina is centrally located. Within 30 minutes you are at the Zuidplein, where the biggest shopping mall in the Netherlands is. To the city centre is even less, only 10 minutes, but a heavier trail. From the marina we can go to the other side of the water (where the centre is) by way of two bridges, the Koninginnebrug and the Willemsbrug or via the Erasmusbrug. Timewise there is not much difference, but energy wise…..One of the bridges is much steeper than the other. A lot of people step down, because they can’t make it and that’s no small wonder, particularly when there is much wind (and most of the time there is, in Holland). But up till now we made it, staying on top of our bikes! Also within biking distance, close to the Feyenoord stadium and the Great Mosque are a lot of DIY-shops and such. Always comes in handy when we need yet again something for the chores on board.
Usually, we don’t park our cars near the marina, because it is only paid parking, with the exception of Sundays and the Holidays. A few blocks away parking is free and it is just a 10-minute walk to the boat. We do our daily shopping at the JUMBO-supermarket, 5 minutes away or at the LIDL by bike, which is about 10 minutes away. Furthermore, I enrolled in a gym very nearby (5 min.) and I try to work out there a couple of times a week.
Biking is not only very good for our condition, it is also a good way to explore Rotterdam. For instance, recently, we pedalled to the ultramodern Market hall, built in the shape of a hangar. This architectural masterpiece is extra special, because the inside of the Hall has bent walls and the ceiling is upholstered with big colourful panels. This huge work of art by Arno Coenen, displays all sorts of fruit and has a surface of 11.000 sq. mtrs. The front and the rear of the Hall are made of big glass walls; that intensifies the spacious effect and keeps ‘the weather’ outside. The Market Hall Rotterdam is multi-functional: catering- and food related shops, and shops like a liquor/wine store, a baker, a butcher and a caterer. There is great attention to crafts and biological products. Personally, I think the outside looks horrid, although it fits in with rest of the (modern) architecture of Rotterdam, but the inside is rather special with all its shops and colourful products. When you are looking for something special, this is the place to go, but for a better bargain, you should go to the usual local market. It so happened that today the usual market was there that day with a great variety in products, …and people. We strolled around the market and then cycled back to our boat.
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