Today was the first morning on our trip where we had some extra time to sleep in, which was definitely appreciated. We packed up all of our bags and loaded up the bus for Rotterdam! Our first stop of the day was Zaanse Schans, a small neighborhood just outside of Amsterdam. As we stepped off the bus, the first thing I noticed was how beautiful it was. There were several shops, walking and biking paths, and many windmills and fields right next to the water. After doing some initial exploring, our group headed to Henri Willig’s, a cheese manufacturer and shop in the neighborhood.

At the cheese shop, we were given a presentation that showed us how the company makes their cheeses. I learned that when making their cheeses, they fill up a tub with milk, heat it to a certain temperature, and add all of their secret ingredients. The milk is cut with these big rotating knives until it separates into liquid and curd, which is then used to make the cheese. These cheeses have varying tastes depending on the type of milk used, how aged it is, and what ingredients are used to make it. In their store, I was able to try several of their cheeses including some with lavender, goat cheese, and coconut cheese. 

Following this visit to Henri Willig’s, my friends and I walked around the neighborhood before finding a local pancake shop where we ate for lunch. The weather was beautiful today, so it was nice to relax and eat outside by the water. We stayed at Zaanse Schans for a few hours, where we browsed numerous shops, saw their goats and sheep, and enjoyed the sunshine. One store was one full of various clogs, and you could even learn how they are made through a demonstration! I attached a photo below of my favorite clog I saw the shop.

Now, we are off to Rotterdam! Although I am quite sad about leaving Amsterdam, I am excited to explore a new city. The hostel we are staying at is fairly close to many food places and attractions, so it will be nice to not have to rely on public transportation as much. Hopefully, we have even more fun with all of our upcoming excursions and adventures in Rotterdam this coming week!