Cycling trip day 18
Today is my tourist rest day. Looking back, if I could change a thing, I would have probably scheduled in a few of these in various bigger cities. But then one can't have everything :) At least cycling around is cheaper than spending a day in a big city. And the scenery is often prettier.
Saying that, Rotterdam had some really nice architecture. I didn't visit a large part of it, but the central parts had some really nice modern buildings. Especially loved the mirror dome, which apparently is some kind of museum storage depot? Also loved the market hall (Markthal), it was very difficult to walk around there and not buy lots of delicious things to eat. Today was also the day for buying some things to take back. Found some cool local crafts producer shops to fill that need.
To complete the day, good vegan food. For lunch I had an excellent avocado sandwich and "Snickers" smoothie at the really nice "Happy Food and Health" restaurant. To finish of the day, I got myself to "Vegan Junk Food Bar", whose Amsterdam branch I had already visited a few years back. Great burger with a pink bun and some blue mayo for the chips - love their use of colours in food, there should be more of that.
One thing about the Netherlands I only realized while riding from Eindhoven to Rotterdam - no one (except the few fast riding road cyclists) wears a helmet! Funny how long it took me to realize this. Having a helmet on probably really does put a "foreigner" pin on your head. Even saw small kids riding in heavy cycling traffic without helmets, small toddlers on bike seats without helmets and even a dude carrying their toddler on one arm while operating a scooter with the other. From someone grown up in Finland this is all a bit mind blowing, though I guess city bikes have brought back the "no helmet" culture a bit in Finland too. Stubbornly I kept mine on, even with the great big foreigner pin. Besides, it has great stickers on it!
Distance cycled: 34.85km (today), 1255.65km (total)
