Since we live in a multi-national community, we get to celebrate many different cultural days. Today we celebrated with the "Dutchies" (as they are fondly known as on the Africa Mercy) Queen's Day. Even though I have Dutch ancestory, I had to go onto Ask.com to find out exatly what Queen's Day is.
On April 30, the Dutch celebrate Koninginnedag ("Queen's Day"), a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of the country's (former) Queen. It is by far the most widely celebrated holiday in the Netherlands. Amsterdam festivities in particular rival those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans or New Year's Eve in New York City. As such, Amsterdam is packed to the gills on April 30, welcoming up to two million party-going visitors. The Dutch have been observing Queen's Day on April 30 since 1949, when the new Queen Juliana ascended the throne. Before then, the holiday fell on August 31, the birthday of Juliana's mother, former Queen Wilhelmina.
The Dining area was decorated in celebration...
The ship was decorated on Deck 5 with all sorts of pictures and balloons in celebration. In the evening we even had a rummage sale and a Land Rover pull.
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