Giethoorn was my next stop after the island of Vlieland. It was really crowded with tourists, especially from China (the bus stop information is even in Mandarin), but I found some quiet spots to satisfy my introvert self. I stayed at an amazing boutique-style hostel that had recently opened - The Black Sheep Hostel - run by a Dutch-Chinese couple. Days spent sleeping in, cycling, cooking my own meals, and kayaking the canals were a perfect way to end my trip <3

Giethoorn is car-free except for a few access points that end at the canal

An early-morning walk along the north-south canal. I ended up taking less photos than I would have liked, to focus on being present for my last week of travel.

Cycling through a nearby town with my rented bicycle

Cycling through these fields made me homesick for Nebraska's plains

Tree-lined path back towards the town center

A typical house in Giethoorn with a pedestrian bridge connecting both sides of the canal