We managed to squeeze so much in on our first day, Hans was meticulous in planning the sights we visited. We travelled to Alkmaar and its famous Cheese Markets and walked through this historical town. We then visited the Zuider Zee reclamation project (WIERINGERMEERPOLDER)and the enclosure dam (Afsluitdijk) Monument, watch tower and the Schermerhorn Windmill Museum with its working windmills, then on to Grootschermer, the little village of Noordeinde, Graft historical town hall and De Rijp narrow main street, lock and wooden houses, Middenbeemster central village of Beemster polder, UNESCO world Heritage site and fort of THE Amsterdam Defence line. NEAR PURMEREND

On our second full day Hans again amazed us with his extensive knowledge as he took us to Schoonhoven ferry across Lek River, branch of the Rhine River, riverside villages of Groot Ammers, Streefkerk, Nieuw Lekkerland and the windmills of Kinderdijk (19 windmills, UNESCO World heritage site.), then on to Alblasserdam riverside village, Hoek van Holland storm surge barrier (Maeslant kering). The last place on the tour, Maeslant kering proved to be an engineering masterpiece and Hans once again imparted his considerable knowledge and organised a GUIDED WALK for us of the storm surge barrier It is amazing that once we returned to Australia on September 20th, just 4 days later, the massive Maeslant Kering storm surge barriers were ‘tested’ and we watched its closing by way of the internet. We are sure that it would have much more interesting to be there with Hans to see this event first hand.

Thank you Hans for showing us your wonderful country - maybe some day you will visit Australia and we can show you some ‘Aussie’ places of interest.

Brian and Sharon Langhans , Cronulla , New South Wales, Australia