Six Days Exploring Amsterdam
Monday, 29 August through Sunday, 4 September
The first six days were learning to get around: memorizing maps, riding the excellent street cars, planning what we wanted to see, and planning how to see it all without wasting time in transit.
Bikes, bikes, bikes. |
Water, water, water. |
Anne Frank's house. |
Train Station |
Sign near museum. |
Rijks Museum |
Royalty |
Rembrant |
Lovely scenery. |
Eat in an old windmill |
Canal ride... |
...gave uncrowded |
...from a restored |
Houses tipped when water |
Famous seven bridges |
Canals are lined... |
...with houseboats. |
Replica Dutch trading ship. |
Away from center city. |
Peace, love, beauty. |
If the shoe fits... |
He had a short bed. |
He mixed his paint. |
He taught a school. |
He was Rembrant. |
An Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see the windmills
Monday, 5 September
Just a short rail trip to see the windmills. Demonstrations inside showed what they did. I found the pressing of grain to get oil was facinating, and showed intelligence didn't begin in the 21st century.
The map tells all, |
Repurposed windmill. |
Five very-old windmills |
A long walk around |
This mill cut logs |
The view from the top... |
...is breathtaking... |
... and tranquill. |
Great photo or what? |
Even lunch is fun. |
Off for more exploring. |
Wooden shoes for sale. |
Made on the old machines |
Jack the giant's shoes. |
Home of a large Dutch |
Another Day Touring Amsterdam
Tuesday, 6 September
View towards our hotel. |
View from our hotel to the Royal Palace |
Artwork in... |
...the ... |
...Royal Palace. |
A tour of the.. |
Heinekin home. |
Street view from rooftop. |
One day by bus to Bruges Belgium
Wednesday, 7 September
Bruges was highly recommended, but there was more bus travel than sightseeing. Pretty, but too rushed; not that different from Amsterdam.
A pretty... |
...city with.. |
...beautiful streets... |
...buildings... |
...and canals. |
We enjoyed... |
...walking... |
...in wonderful weather... |
....,but never connected... |
...to the city's heart. |
Last 2 days checking out Amsterdam
Thursday, 8 September,and Friday, 9 September
By the last two days we knew where everything was on the map and how to get there efficiently on the streetcar. We really made use of our last two days.
Bought export certified |
Dodged bicycle traffic. |
Saw the royal canoe. |
Marvelled at the variety of bikes. |
And the toy store with separate entrances for adults and children. |
Why did people stop |
A canal without houseboats . |
What is around that door? |
A few hundred hydrangea. |
Den Haag
Saturday, 10 September
Our day in The Hague was a vacation highlight due to our hosts Ellen and Gerard.
The International Court of |
The Bennenhof |
Ready to see the city. |
Now this is different. |
A parade for us?. |
No, Its a holiday! |
The city is alive. |
Lunch with Ellen and Gerard |
The way paintings were |
Rope ferry accross |
Leaving Amsterdam
Sunday, 11 September
One last walk to the train station and then the long flight home.
One last bike. |
Homeward bound. |
Cheers |