The tiny village is essentially an open air museum

Village of Zaandam - People are actually living in the village today.

Zaandam, The Netherlands

Zaandam, The Netherlands

Zaandam, The Netherlands

I was amazed at how shinny and smooth the outside paint was on theses houses.

Zaandam, The Netherlands

Zaandam, The Netherlands

Zaandam, The Netherlands

Tamara writing a post card to our grandson.  Tamara made it a point to send him a post card or two from each town we visited .

Next we traveled to the town of Edam, known for it famous cheese.  Along the way we would see these pastures surrounded by canals being used as fences.

Edam, The Netherlands

These "false fronts" gave the houses a movie lot feel to them.   Don't know the reason for this but we saw it everywhere we went.

Edam, The Netherlands

Edam, The Netherlands

Edam, The Netherlands

Edam Town Hall

Edam, The Netherlands

The most obvious association with the name ‘Edam’ is its cheese. However we were surprised to learn that Edam cheese is no longer produced here.  They supposedly own the recipe but only Gooda is made locally.

Edam, The Netherlands

This is part of a recreation of the old cheese market for the tourists.

The building housing the old cheese market.

Edam, The Netherlands