We have only just finished our full on weekend in Amsterdam. Think Amsterdam, think flat land everywhere (why cycling is so popular), think canals. There are over 100 kilometres of canals and over 1500 bridges, pedestrian and otherwise. There are four main canals in the city, and they were all very busy when we visited. The tourist industry in the summer months means lots of boat hire and party time on the canals, and we were amazed to see so many people drinking and driving on the canals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canals_of_Amsterdam They certainly know how to have a good time.
I have never seen so many push bikes in the city. It is the weekend but there are lots of the things chained up everywhere. Cycle paths are interesting-they are used by cyclists and motorscooters side by side and you HAVE to GIVE WAY or get skittled. Cars and buses have to give way to pedestrians-figure that one out! They are set up alongside pedestrian footpaths, and then of course there is the road system itself, next to that. Add trams in the very busy pedestrian thoroughfares, and it is an interesting mix. I have to say walking beside them you need to be highly aware.
We undertook an hour long canal ride, we eventually found ourselves having a long wait before entering Anne Frank's hiding place which has undergone a transformation since I last saw it. How the family lived in such a small room for 12 months and could never venture out for fear of being arrested by the SS (which is what eventually happened)-a must visit for any freedom loving tourist.
We stayed on our red jump on jump off tour bus to get the feel of the place before hitting a couple of museums. We saw their relaxed attitude to those mushrooms and the plethora of coffee shops set up to cater for those wishing to smoke pot legally. We also visited a houseboat museum which was just great. There are so many houseboats of all shapes and sizes on the canals.
We stayed at a decent IBIS hotel near the airport. Not Formula 1 standard though there was a Budget IBIS behind us, both of which are serviced by a free airport shuttle bus. Our room had a TV (very little english programs and dutch sub titles), ensuite, a room safe, and twin beds plus free wifi.
Our hotel had a bar, restaurant (we didn't use it), free Internet lounge, tourist shop and a lovely lounge area overlooking a large pond in nice gardens. They even have a library exchange, so I swapped my novel for an Alistair Maclain one about terrorists flooding Schiphol airport, the latter of which we could see from the lounge room window-sort of puts it in perspective. Glad the former is only a novel. That famous scottish restaurant is five minutes walking away (Mackas).
I reckon I could revisit the Netherlands but I want to see country windmills, river barges, country homes alongside the canals, dykes etc. We have had three nights here and all nights got in to the hotel late evening. Naturally we needed our sleep so we got going late morning. But it all worked OK.
Weather wise, it has been in the mid to late 20s at minimum so we have chosen to maximise the use of shade and trees and we keep out of the sun. Thankfully we took things into our own hands on the bus and kept the windows open rather than wait for the chronically ill aircon to kick in. Like a sauna it was. We have had to buy more water to keep hydrated and of course there are no obvious public facilities around that we could find. Even used a Police station on advice from one of the locals.
As is my practice in life since a young man, I usually say hullo to my favourite dog breeds (after asking the owner if it is ok. I said hullo to one of my favourite dog breeds, the French Bulldog, who was taking its lady for a walk, saw three french bulldogs and a boston terrier. No Boxers seen yet tho!
Monday we were due to catch a flight to Munich around the middle of the day, so we caught the shuttle and had breakfast at the airport after checking in bags etc. Farewell Amsterdam....until next time.
