AMSTERDAM
Sept 2003Amsterdam was just a long weekend to catch up with some friends but what a lovely city. I didn't do the typical red light smokey tour but I did see some gorgeous neighborhoods around Vondel Park, fabulous art, and great beer! While it is a large metropolis, Amsterdam gives you the feeling of being in a quaint small town - it's all bicycles and parks. So sweet you want to pinch its cheeks!
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Feb 2004
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My wonderful Dutch friend Mariette (a Hong Konger until recently) picked me up at Shiphol airport and whisked me away to the city. Since my friends Esther, Art and Eddie weren't arriving until later the next day she took me out with some friends to see funky pop art at the Stedelijk Museum and have a lovely cafe lunch near Vondel Park - something you really miss in Hong Kong! |
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I left Mariette to go to the flat we had rented in Amstel - the view from the window isn't bad eh? If you are going to stay in Amsterdam for a week or more I recommend renting a flat or staying in a B&B since hotel rooms are so small and the same price! The B&B people are very friendly and happy to recommend you on to someone else if they are full. |
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When the gang arrived we set out straight away to explore. Amsterdam is quite compact and you can walk much of the downtown area if you have time and strength. Canal tours are a wonderful way to see the city so don't let the touristy ticket sellers put you off - well worth it! This is Eddie and his borther Art. |
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Esther and me |
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Lunch in the late Autumn sun - perfect! It seems that many people own boats as some own cars - as way to cruise from home to entertainment. And sometimes the entertainment takes place on the boats which led me to wonder where the police boats were! |
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Amsterdam even has its own Jumbo floating restaurant like the one in Hong Kong! A friend from Sweden said they also have these floating trinket towns - who knew? |
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We had a simple but tasty dinner in the Jordaan followed by excellent Belgian beer at one of the district's famous brown cafes, Cafe t'Smalle. Brown doesn't have to do with what you might think but the fact that the place is old enough to have a brown layer over it - 1786 to be exact:) The Jordaan was always the working man's neighborhood but it was good enough for Rembrandt to spend his last years in. |
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The next day we had a walk around and saw the Koninklijk Paleis which was completed in 1662. It's actually more of a town hall since there was no royalty until Napoleon's brother came along in 1808. But it does what it was meant to do - shows off the wealth of Holland at the time. |
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Buildings in the city are decorated with all sorts, from anatomically correct sculpted cats to family crests but this commercial building really struck me with its art deco maidens. |
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The Rijksmuseum of 1885 is a gorgeous structure unto itself but the paintings it houses are even more impressive - Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, etc. Be aware that the Rijksmuseum is undergoing massive refurbishment from 2003-2008 and many sections will be closed.
On the same Museumplein complex are the Van Gogh and Stedelijk Museums. Nearby is Vondel Park which is well worth a visit on a sunny day - lots of hanging out, performers, and fresh air. |
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The antiques district is lovely but sadly it closes pretty early so come in the daytime like sensible folk. |
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On my last day we went to the Anne Frank Huis. It was easily the most emotional experience on my trip. Perhaps it was because this was my first trip to Europe and the first time that my own feet had stepped on the very pavements where these attrocities were committed. The house itself might give you the impression that they were quite privileged, afterall the rooms aren't that small...but then you remember that in the end she died like so many other millions. |
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Smart cars are everywhere in Europe and this Coupe is particularly cute! Thanks for the picture Eddie.
Click the pic for more info. |