After Rotterdam, it was time to head over to the capital; Amsterdam! After a dodgy start (The hotel we had chosen was very much on the outskirts, and the public carpark outside was riddled with “Smash and grab” and “Do not leave valuables in your car” Signs, and not one, but two cars with smashed windows, one of which was recent…) We left the car safely under a camera and void of all valuables, and headed gingerly into the centre by bus and tram.
The first thing one learns on a visit to Amsterdam is “Stay out of the cycle lanes” then, you learn to “Always check for bikes 10 times before crossing a road” Then after that, you learn to “Stay the f***k out of the cycle lanes”…. you get the picture. Amsterdam is absolutely rammed with bikes. Chained up to every bridge and post, crammed into multi storey bicycle parks (yes, that is a thing!), and flying straight at you around every corner. On a return visit to Amsterdam, I will definitely be renting a bicycle to get the true Amsterdam experience!!
(Click on images for better resolution)
^^ The multi-storey bicycle park outside the train station
Having quickly learnt to look out for bicycles we spent the day wandering aimlessly through the streets. We of course encountered the city’s famous red light district, which was certainly an interesting experience to say the least, with women standing at the red lit windows of narrow streets wearing almost nothing. And of course as well the numerous “coffee shops” But Amsterdam is so much more than it’s infamous night life. Every other shop is filled with treasures and goodies galore, with something for everyone, I was personally most drawn in by the numerous shops selling steampunk wear and accessories (A favourite of mine) and the huge cheese shop with cheese of all different flavours; Lavender, garlic, herbs, curries etc (with tasters and everything!! I could have easily spent my entire travel budget on cheese…)
Another must see in Amsterdam, of which the first level is free, but the rest I just have to go back to when budget allows is the believe it or not museum, full of weird and wonderfull things like a bugatti veyron boat, a replica of the tallest man to ever live, a flying car coffin, and a lion made entirely from used tyres
Amsterdam even has a little chinatown area, where we grabbed some delicious noodles before visiting the buddhist temple down the road.
The day had flown by, and it was almost time to head back to make sure the car was intact… but not before taking the free ferry to the EYE film institute across the river. There are two free ferries in Amsterdam, the long ferry and the short ferry, sadly we only had time for the short ferry, but for free canal ride, head to behind the train station and you can hop on either ferry from there.
On the other side of the river you can visit the film institute and the 360 panorama, but, being short on time and cash, we just went for the view, the outside of the film institute, and the crazy knitted bridge
Time to head back, and with the car all safe and sound, we headed back out for some night photography, to the 15 bridges bridge area, called such because you really can see 15 bridges from it, followed by a wander around the fairy light lit canals, and back to the room, not in the slightest bit ready to say goodbye to this amazingly diverse city, but with a promise that we would return soon!
