Willemstad is a place that does not get much attention any more today. However at one time this was a very important, strategic, place in Holland. So much so, that "Willem van Oranje" (William of Orange) decided to make this his stronghold to fend off attacking Spanish troops in the 1500. He ordered the town to be fortified by digging a moat around the entire town building up dikes around it with the excavated dirt to place the canons on.
His (Willem's) scrapping with the Spanish king eventually led to the "treaty of Munster" when there was first talk of "de republiek der verenigde Nederlanden" (the republic of the united Netherlands) Also the words of the dutch national anthem eludes to this event.
Not many pictures again due to the overcast and rainy weather. We did manage to take some photos of an event that took place while we were docked in Willemstad.
A bride and groom arrived by a very nice old dutch sail boat. The guest were all standing on the dock until the rain forced them inside. The bride and groom had to wait for a break in the weather before making their appearance. The weather finally let up and the couple emerged from the cabin of the boat to greet their guest's. After they greeted their guest they drove off in a VW convertible to the town hall for the wedding. The top had to stay up due to the unpredictable weather.
(Pict. to come when we have a better internet connection)
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