Today, we took a bus to the Watersnoodmuseum. The scenery on the way there was very beautiful. I saw many sheep and many wind turbines. The Netherlands has high flood risk with all of the rivers, canals, and the area below sea level. The Watersnoodmuseum gives a unique view of everything that took place during the flood that took place on February 1, 1953. What’s more, the museum is inside the caissons that were used as a barrier to block the breach after the flood. It was very interesting to walk through the dikes, as we were just right above the water through the entire experience. Throughout the museum, there were many visuals, interactive elements, and videos. My favorite part was the last video. It was very intense, and it showed people trying to survive the storms. It seemed like a very excruciating experience, and it makes you empathize with the situation. I also enjoyed walking through the house in there. It has all of its furnishings and so many little interactive elements. I was surprised that you could even open the cabinets and cupboards to see what was inside. Something else that was notable was the logistics of building the dike. Since it is above water, a dike must have a cover over the water. Zinc pieces were used to do so. The zinc pieces have layers of brushwood branches layered across each other, which is then filled in with reeds. Next, a top grid is placed down, and braided gardens are added to keep everything in place. Finally, bump stones are added. It was really cool to see some of the behind the scenes of what makes the structure sound. Overall, the museum was a very unique experience that taught me a lot.
Our next trip is to Delta Works. We got to see the world’s largest storm surge barrier and many wind turbines. Inside, we first watched a video of a flood, which was very realistic. We also had a tour guide. He explained how the barrier works. The control center determines whether or not the barrier needs to be dropped, and technology is used to drop it at the best moment. The last time the storm barrier was dropped was last March. All these precautions are necessary to control the floods and protect the Netherlands. We also were able to walk around and see the wind turbines. In addition, we took a cruise on the North Sea. I was a little seasick, but it was overall an enjoyable ride.
Finally, we rode the bus home, which was again filled with wonderful views.