12 August 2022 - THE CAT BOAT - AMSTERDAM

 

THE CAT BOAT 

- AMSTERDAM -

G'day folks,

Welcome to a floating cat sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal. 

Though cats typically avoid water at all costs, the felines of De Poezenboot, “The Cat Boat,” seem perfectly at home on their floating sanctuary.

De Poezenboot is an animal sanctuary floating on a canal in Amsterdam. It was founded by Henriette van Weelde in 1966 as a home for stray, sick, and abandoned felines, and has since grown into an official charity.

 

The house boat accommodates up to 50 cats at once, 14 of which are permanent residents. Human visitors are welcome on the vessel as well. Many come to choose a cat for adoption, but tourists are also welcome to drop in and scratch a kitty behind the ears. 

As it is a charity, the boat sanctuary stays afloat thanks to donations left by visitors. All the money raised goes toward helping as many Amsterdam cats as possible. The Cat Boat Foundation pays for neutering of cats whose owners cannot afford veterinary care, as well as strays. Volunteers take care of the cats, some of whom are adopted by visitors. The cats are believed to readjust to life on land perfectly well in their new homes.

5 November 2021 - FLOATING McDONALDS BARGE ROTTING IN VANCOUVER

 

FLOATING McDONALDS BARGE 

ROTTING IN VANCOUVER

G'day folks,

Back in 1986, there was a well-known expo in Vancouver known as the Vancouver Expo otherwise known as the World Expo. A huge, world-wide fair, with the theme of “World Exposition on Transportation and Communication”. The fair started in May and went until October of that year featuring different booths and pavilions representing 54 different nations and thousands of corporations. 

 

Each innovative pavilion was designed by a specific company and they all had a unique flare to them. One of the most unique places, one that truly stood out among the rest in the fair, was what the McBarge, a floating McDonalds! 30 years ago, this floating restaurant was the talk of the crowd and thousands of people came from all over to visit the unique McDonalds. Crowds lined up outside to be able to experience luxury and fast food on the water. McDonalds was ambitious to say the least and luxury and innovation were the main goals that the fast food chain was trying to portray.

 

Unfortunately, shortly after the expo the McBarge was quickly forgotten about. The McDonalds was unlike any of its kind. There was nothing like it anywhere and it was designed with a modern nautical feel. It was so unique that people travelled from all over to visit the unique place and experience a McDonalds unlike any other.  The first ever floating McDonalds cost a whopping $8 million to build. It was marketed as a luxury dining experience for wealthy people who were increasingly rejecting fast food.

The interior design definitely did not disappoint featuring hardwood floors, real plants, and panoramic windows allowing the customer to enjoy beautiful views of the open water and the lavish surroundings.

 

 

After 30 years of neglect, this floating McDonalds is now a thing of the past. It would require a lot of work, money and dedication to make this a happy place again. For now, it sits in the river as a reminder of bold design, brave concepts and innovation. The floating McDonalds is sadly a thing of the past slowly being forgotten. In fact, most people don’t even know the history is behind this old attraction sitting in the waters of Vancouver.

 

Clancy's comment: What a waste. Surely, it could be used for something. Maybe a floating gallery?

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