Life in the Fast Lane

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Build it and they will come — the story of one man’s dream made reality. Johan Huibers had an overpowering desire to create a modern day Noah’s Arc that was a fully functional replica and sea worthy. Johan’s dream was to design a combination of a religious monument, museum, and petting zoo to bring a renewed interest in Christianity to the Netherlands.

This story is not a new one, but the fact that Noah’s Arc is now open to the public at large is. My friend Saboma sent me some information that peaked my interest to publish Johan’s story. After tracking down original content and images, we’ll go back to when this story hit the media more than a year ago, from then to now.

Dutch creationist Johan Huibers, from Schagen — about 23 miles (45 kilometers) north of Amsterdam — built a colossal Ark that’s two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a 3-story house, at 230 feet (70 meters) long, 31 feet (9.5 meters) wide and nearly 43 feet (13 meters) high. Johan’s Ark is a fifth of the size of Noah’s, based on the book of Genesis, carrying farmyard animals and life-size replicas of numerous creatures of the earth.

Sidney Morning Herald reports that Johan’s Ark is calibrated to pass narrowly beneath every bridge and through every sluice along his intended sailing route, through the interior waters of the Netherlands to the country’s major cities.

Although Johan has tried to remain true to the ark described in the Bible, his Ark is constructed with American cedar and Norwegian pine, rather than ‘gopher wood’ — atop of a seaworthy steel hull.

“And just think, Noah did it alone and without modern tools. It’s unimaginable, no?” said Huibers.

According to Genesis, Noah kept seven pairs of most domesticated animals, and one breeding pair of all other creatures, plus his wife, 3 sons and 3 daughters-in-law together on the same boat for almost a year while the world was flooded.

Huibers had a more modest vision with plans to stock his ark with a collection of farmyard animals such as horses, lambs, chickens and rabbits, plus an exhibition on more exotic creatures — mostly baby animals to save space. They’re also cuter, which may help business.

“This will speak very much to children, because it will give them something tangible to see that Noah’s Ark really existed.” Huibers said. “They’ll hear the creak of the wood, smell the smell of the dung.”

The total cost of the project is estimated to be just under $1.2 million US, funded with bank loans.

Huibers toyed with the idea for more than a decade before he bought and milled more than 1,200 logs needed for the project.

The making of Johan Huiber’s Arc in photos:

And how does Huiber’s wife feel about it? “She doesn’t really like it.” he said. “She always says ‘Why don’t you go dig wells in Ethiopia?’ I’ve been involved in projects there before. But she understands, this is my dream.”

Seeing is believing. The entry is through a large drawbridge in the side, leading up to the second of three levels, designated for animal stalls. Stairs take visitors to displays on the first and third levels. The top deck features a small covered house serving drinks, with the zoo outside.

Huibers has already convinced his fussiest critics — the bankers, naval, fire and animal rights regulations.

Despite coming from the low-lying Netherlands, fear of rising seas from global warming or a new God-sent deluge didn’t play a special role in Johan’s strategy.

“It won’t happen again. You know – the rainbow.” he said, referring to the passage in Genesis (9:9-9:16) where God put his ‘bow in the cloud’ as part of his promise that he would never again flood the whole Earth.

Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands. “That’s my motivation.”

He already has his next project in mind — a full-size ark. “In Manhattan.” he said. “But right now that’s just in my head.”

Answers in Genesis states that Jonah’s Arc was slated to begin boarding passengers in April 2007, and will soon sail down the canals of Holland with the Ark, but much work remains to be done. According to Jacky Baken who was recently hired to assist, a number of towns and cities have already invited Johan to visit their area with the Ark.

The official website states the Arc will remain in Schagen until August 25th and head to Zaandam for two weeks (near Amsterdam). The Ark will be in the Dutch port of Rotterdam — the busiest seaport in the world — for about three months, from mid September until mid December.

Recent photos of Johan and his Ark:

Johan stands outside the side door of the Ark. The main entrance will be built when the Ark is moved to the other side of the canal.

Life-like animals from Thailand and the Philippines fill the three levels of the Ark with giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles and zebras — all two-by-two. Arrangements are being made for some live animals to be present on the Ark in the future.

One section of the Ark will highlight various Bible stories including the open tomb of Jesus, the Ark of the Covenant, the story of Joseph, and a fishing boat which tells the story of Jesus and His disciples.

Church pews provide seating for 150 people in the movie theater. Johan claims that pews are plentiful in the Netherlands due to many churches closing.

Another area of the Ark includes a Bedouin tent which represents the dwelling place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. According to Johan, the tent symbolizes hospitality.

Other features of the Ark include various computer games where children can learn more about the Ark and the Flood, and an area for coffee and snacks.

All photos Jackey Baken at Arc Van Noak

The Great Flood

Family Guy Noah’s Arc
Warning – contains footage that may be offensive to some. Although I’m
Christian myself, I enjoy a little dark humor. Hope you do too.

Related stories:
Museum Says Dinosaurs Were On Noah’s Ark
Creation Museum Update – Dinosaurs Were On Noah’s Ark

Tags:Genesis Johan Huibers Jonahs Arc museum Noahs Arc odd offbeat religious monument unusual

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