Keep the canals clean!

Dear readers,

You cannot imagine how many waste is being thrown in the Amsterdam canals. Irritation factor number one for many skippers, as plastic bags or paper often gets wrapped around our boat screws, which makes it hard for us to steer our boats.

Recently, I helped the foundation 'Plastic Whale' cleaning the canals. With over 350 people, 36 boats and canal bikes we fished for plastic. The sweep resulted in a huge amount of plastic waste and press attention. Many people, local businesses and political parties helped us cleaning the Amsterdam Canals. It was very good to see so many people care about our environment. With all collected waste and plastic, Plastic Whale will built a 'green' boat to sail along the canals.

For more information: http://www.plasticwhale.org

Spotted in France: Canal Bikes on the river Ardèche!

Bonjour à tous!

You are probably wondering why I start this blog in French. Well, it reminds me of my lovely holiday in south-central France last month. Me and my wife camped in the Ardèche, on the banks of the 125 km long river the Ardèche, a right-bank tributary of the Rhône river. The valley of the Ardèche is very scenic, with high limestone cliffs up to 300m high. The most famous feature is a natural 60m stone arch spanning the river known as the Pont d'Arc (arch bridge).

On one beautiful sunny day we drove along the river and suddenly we spotted some canal bikes! Like the ones we have in Amsterdam. Although canal biking is one of the most popular attractions in my home town, the bikes on the Ardèche were all empty to my surprise. A few kilometres downstream I found out why. I had arrived in a renowned kayak and canoe arrea...

Au revoir!
John 

Feel the rain

Dear readers,

Sorry, you have not heard from me for a while. I enjoyed a lovely holiday and due to bad Summer weather in the Netherlands I have not cruised the canals that often.

I do remember one Sunday afternoon. A quiet day. A rainy day, again. Not much customers who are willing to cruise the canals in this awful weather. We are wondering if we should clean up and go home.

But no, people walk up our mooring. An Indian family with a grandfather, grandmother, their children and grandchildren. Of course they want to have a private boat! They ask me if I can show them the whole city centre.  They are so excited to see Amsterdam and their mood cheers me up too. It's their first time in Europe, and their first time in Amsterdam. The grandfather just sold his company and treated his family to a wonderful trip abroad. This family really enjoys the soft and fresh Dutch rain. They do not want me to use the rain shield. They want to feel and taste the rain. It was a lovely cruise along the canals, but it made me sneeze and cough for a week!

See you next time!

Cheers,
John

Interesting guests in June

Hi, I am John - Canal Hopper skipper. Cruising the Amsterdam Canals with an electric open sloop. It is my job to show Amsterdam visitors the picturesque canals and entertain them with typical stories. In this blog I would like to tell you some stories about various interesting guests I had on board in June.

Just married
An early morning encounter with two french speaking Belgian honeymooners on the Damrak. She (35) is still wearing her bridal gown and he (38) doesn't seem to be bothered by his necktie hanging loose. It's the day after the night before - they've partied all night long in Brussels and jumped on the first train to Amsterdam. Enjoying a bottle of pink bubbly wine and cheered by many bystanders I take them for a romantic tour through the oldest part of town.
 

Anastasia
When Anastasia (6) from Essen (Germany) boards with her mother Claudia (35) and mama's new lover Dieter (43), she seats next to me behind the wheel and doesn't seem to stop talking. Except for those moments when she sees Dieter passionately kissing her mother. I can almost read her thoughts: 'This Dieter is a nice guy, but where's this leading to and where do I come in?' But nature comes to rescue: tiny ducklings in the river Amstel cause distraction.


Pilgrims

Two white collared Roman Catholic priests (40) from Cologne (Germany) step down from their yellow rental bikes and curiously watch my boat. Business or pleasure or both? I offer to show them the virtues of the famous Red Light District, a tour along churches of great interest and accompanied by many inside stories. They gladly accept and don't waste a minute to buy their indulgence letters from the counter.  

Shaken, not stirred
'You're all expected at Birmingham Airport at 5h30 sharp. Be sure to wear a tuxedo, carry a toothbrush and take your passport with you.' That was the briefing for 16 young Englishmen out on a mystery weekend. A couple of hours later, after some heavy bargaining, one of Canal Company's Hopper XL boats was occupied by 16 certainly shaken but apparently not stirred James Bonds. Their hotel (quite unappropriate): the infamous backpackers hangout 'The Flying Pig'…

See you next blog!

John