Volendam day Twelve Friday 4/11/11

Clocks back another hour but no real lie in as the ship docked around six am and the immigration officers were soon aboard to see everyone individually- quite an undertaking. As we are on deck one we were some of the earliest to be seen, and all the angst about declaring honey sweets on the biosecurity form came to naught as our yes answer was accepted without question. Shuttle busses required to get ashore and we were actually away pretty smartly. Stopped at the 'makers workshop' for visitor information and decided a walkabout would be best as we didn't fancy long coach rides. First priority was to get a local sim card for internet connection which we managed quite quickly. Then walked to the Pioneers Museum which had opened early for us and stepped back in time in a late 19th century street reconstruction. Suddenly we were in the middle of a theatrical production which was very well done, despite Carol managing to put them off their stride by laughing in the wrong place and trying to volunteer me as an experienced blacksmith! Viewed the works of a few local artists set up in the carpark, and quite taken with some of them but views of places we wouldn't be seeing. Wandered around a bit longer and had a subway in the park then back to the bus and aboard for a bit more lunch and a drink. Tried to connect to the internet but failed miserably and decided to go back ashore to the shop.... just over an hour to get there and back. They had trouble with the sim in the shop, the initial credit hadn't been applied and they hadn't given me the access name despite me asking when I purchased it in the beginning. Spent over half an hour at the bus stop whilst full buses went past! Eventually got back at the last minute....but there was yet another bus to come! Dinner in the restaurant, much better than the cafeteria. Went to the show which was brilliant, a group called 'black tie' who consisted of two girls playing piano and cello plus two guys singing, opera to comedy. J