The Steamboating Forum

Not much to say really, surreal doesn't come close!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMntOc_ofA

Greg

I see some good ideas for a Gondola promotional video!

Ken

Of course, why hadn't I thought of that!

I thought that was what it was.

Edward

turn your speaker volume down before clicking!!

My ears are bleeding

Edward wrote:I thought that was what it was.

Edward

Thanks Edward!

Found this old posting while browsing. For the "un Dutch" this must seem weird but this filmclip depicts the arrival of " Sint Nicolaas" also know as Sinterklaas( and Dutch settlers took the name across to the U.S where he became Santa Claus) ,in Holland.
What is of interest to us is ,that he always arrives by steamboat and fortunately we still have a fair number of working steam tugs in the Netherlands which are usually drafted in , and for the occasion renamed "pakjesboot" ( present or parcelboat)
The reason for this is that Saint Nick celabrates his birthday in Holland bringing tons of presents with him for any child that has been good . The main difference with Father Christmas is that Saint Nick celabrated his birthday on the 5th of December and that is the day the kids get their presents.
Other differences are that , while on land, he travels by horse,and that his helpers, Zwarte Pieten(Black Peters)are obviously black rather then father Christmas's green elves.
Black Pete actually caused a bit of kafuffle right up to U.N. level recently because of his colour and that it wasn't P.C. Fortunately all that got cleared up and this old tradition( including the steam boats) can continue.

Thank you Bert for the interesting cultural lesson.