Amsterdam - The Final Day

We woke up to our final breakfast opting to pay for a bacon and egg roll to see us through to lunch. We checked our bags into the lockers so we wouldnt have to carry them and set out.......in to the rain.

We sought shelter in The Royal Palace situated in Dam Square and spent a lovely and interesting 2 hours walking around and learning all about this grand building. The giant sweeping marble maps on the floor and the impressive heavy iron chandeliers all portray a glamour that you just don't see every day.

After we had finished feasting our eyes on all the splendor we feasted our bellies on some very tasty food. We stopped at a little cafe which smelt divine. We treated ourselves to a cheese pastry and an apple cake from the vast selection.

 

We had a couple more hours to kill so we decided to walk the streets a bit more to see what we could see. We weren't disappointed either, as after turning down just one street we found some incredible graffiti

We had to go back to the hostel to get our stuff so we made our way through the streets, picked up our bits from the hostel lockers and then got on the train back to the airport. Our flight was a little bit delayed which was annoying, especially as we had work the next day but we made it in the end.

Amsterdam is really beautiful and it's not just all about going there to sit in coffeeshops and get as high as possible. We saw so much just by walking around the city, we didn't get any public transport and it was probably the best idea to walk, although the bikes scare me so much! They really do rule the road over there. I would really recommend going if you haven't been or going again if you've been already because there is always something new to do or see.

C x

Amsterdam - Day 2

After waking up and getting breakfast to try and ease my poor head we decided the best way to fix it would be to go to the Heineken Experience!

After a very foggy walk through the streets we arrived at the brewery and started our tour.

We learnt how the beer is made and got to try a few glasses on the way round too. It was actually really fun and even though I'm not the biggest beer fan it was still interesting to learn.

After we had finished up we headed back towards our hostel to get ready for an evening out with my friend and her boyfriend.

We went for a couple of drinks first before heading out for traditional Dutch food in 'brown cafes'. These cafes are the best way to get a real feel of Amsterdam, off the beaten track of the tourist areas.

We had a lovely meal, I had steak and Leigh had Chicken Satay which is quite popular.

It was a very lovely evening filled with lots of laughter and catching up on the last couple of years. We went to bed very happy, our tummies full and our heads relatively clear ready for the final day.

C x 

Amsterdam - Day 1

Rising bright and early the next day to a very silver room we headed downstairs to breakfast which was included with the room . Defeitely a European breakfast

 

After we had eaten our fill we consulted the map and headed out into the numerous alleys to explore all Amsterdam had to offer, which happens to be quite a lot. Bicycles filled with cheese, pretty canals, beautiful architecture, and bridges galore

On the way to the flea market which you can find in Waterlooplein we passed a bridge covered in padlocks. Leigh and I didn't have one on us but really do we want another bridge collapsing under the weight of padlocks?! It does look pretty though.

We headed round to the flea market to look at all the bright and shiny bits and bobs on offer. The good thing about going to a market on a weekday - it's a lot quieter!

With a taste for markets we headed towards the famous floating flower market to see what all the fuss was about. There are certainly a lot of tulip seeds to be found and I couldn't resist a trip into the cheese market which flanked the side of the flowers.

We walked down some more alleys and streets working our way towards Anne Frank's House where we had a tour booked for the afternoon.

Before that we needed to grab some lunch and so we found a cute little cafe, with a jetty and a free table. The only flaw to this was that I had to fight off birds through the whole meal, which given my phobia was pretty traumatic but still I soldiered on to put away a beer and one half mozzarella and pesto and one half brie and ham toastie.

Have you ever been to Amsterdam? If you haven't been please do go and visit Anne Frank's House. Even if you haven't read her diary it is so important to remember the atrocities that were committed under Hitler's reign. You are not permitted to take any photographs as you go round the rooms so I only have one image but it is one of my favourites because it portrays her so well.

After the thought provoking visit I needed a bit of cheering up so where better than a little tiny cheese shop and museum. There were tubs everywhere of tiny cubes of cheese all there for the taking. It was my dream shop!

 

Our tummies full of cheese and with the sun going down we decided to fill them up further with dinner. Another suggestion via my friend and a tasty one at that. She sent us to 'Bird' which is situated in China Town in the Red Light District. When the Dutch want Thai, this is where they go apparently!

We had a stroll through the Red Light District after our dinner and tried not to stare at the girls as they gyrated against the windows. The whole essense of that one small section of Amsterdam is like a Disneyland for grown-ups.

Once we were back at the hostel we contemplated how we were going to spend our evening, only to then get caught up in conversation with two fellow hostelers who were also at a loss for their evening. We decided to make good of our discount beer vouchers we received on arrival and drank the night away.

This is why I love staying in hostels. You meet so many different types of people from all over the places and I just LOVE to meet new people. We eventually crawled into bed where I fell asleep hoping I wouldn't have a hang over. (read - I threw up for 15 minutes and then passed out in my bed).

C x