Volendam and Marken

 Today was quite grey and drizzly, but we still decided to visit the little fishing village of Marken. To get to Marken we planned to take a direct bus, but we couldn't find that bus. We took a bus to volendam and then a ferry to Marken. It was a little longer, but it was pleasant.

We walked through a part of Volendam where living spaces were outside their front doors just barely separated from the sidewalk and the street.

Some were full of potted pots. There seemed to be very little grass.

I could just imagine stepping out my front door and into the canal.

Drawbridges and canals do intrigue me.

Of course there was a ferry and of course there was a pirate ship.

Arriving in Marken was something new. Houses and shops were on the docks.

The horizontal white lines were everywhere.

Restaurants, but it was raining.

We were told that the homes were built on stilts, but that was not entirely true. They are raised, but seem to have brick foundations.

I'm speculating here. This island was once in the North Sea, but was separated from the North Sea by a dyke in the 1930's. When the water level stabilized and the tides could no longer reach them, I suspect that they could brick in the lower floor of their homes.

So far, we have found only one cemetery. Here is another.