I no longer have a bike

I'm back in Rotterdam for 2 nights before taking a train to Paris. I got a €150 certificate to use in the store for giving the bike back. They'll clean it up (needed that!) and fix a couple things then give it a 2nd life as a used bike. That's a pretty good plan. 

Dean says goodbye to his bike. 

You would not think spending that money would be a problem but it was for me. I needed to only buy what would go in my carry on panniers, so nothing bulky. I've been that way with all my souvenirs from this trip. Mainly pins to add to my cork boards and a couple t-shirts. 

So today's ride went pretty quickly. The wind had died down some from yesterday but I still had a decent tailwind. I practically coasted back into town! I think it was the most effortless riding I did on this trip. Maybe day 1 coasting through the hair pin turns coming down the Alps, but I don't think so.  

Had to get another selfie with the lighthouse. 

I took some time to visit the flood gates and watch a film about how the devastating storm surge of 1953 showed them that needed to do something to prevent that happening again. 

There were a number of different ideas but this was the winner. 

The film really dramatized how they were able to build this and still keep the seaport open the whole time. I think it is one of the greatest engineering feats of the modern world. 

Cute boat!

I need to look up info on this Chinese boat. I have no idea what it does. 

The Euro Mast looms ahead. I'm almost done riding. 

I did see people rappelling down from the restaurant part. Susan says she would have done that in a minute! She's rappeled that far before but she wouldn't bungee jump with me. 

When I see this bridge I know I'm just moments from being done. 

So I've checked into my hostel and been assigned a bunk. 

Top bunk but much easier to access than others have been. 

They have a very slow elevator to the 3rd floor and normally I wouldn't use it, but...

this place has the narrowest 'stairs of death' that I've ever seen. 

No real plans for tomorrow except to find the train station and do some wandering around town.