Amsterdam Anyone? - Updated 11/2 - Complete! About This Page:

[LizardCop]

Great Report Marnie, I love the pictures...

[chezp]

Great installment Marnie! Now you know why we moan so much about the cost of car hire in the States - I'd never thought about it like that before, but yes, we end up paying more for our car hire than our flights! Crazy, isn't it?

[wdwlovers]

What a great experience! Lovin' the TR and photos Marnie! Keep it coming!

[Colexis Mom]

OK, sorry for the delay everyone. It's been a bit of a madhouse around here!

Back to Amsterdam!

Now my boss has been to Amsterdam before, but it’s been a couple of years. I also don’t think he knows how to read a map, although he commented when we were driving to Bielefeld that it was nice that I could read one, as his wife could not He kept going in the wrong direction for where he wanted to go. We ended up going around in a complete circle, head back, and then he says he knows where he’s going, and we head back in the same direction again He finally decides that’s not going to work, and a lovely woman (who must have know we were lost) asked us where we were trying to get to (Dam Sqaure) and she said to follow this road all the way around (in the other direction mind you) and it would take you there. Thankfully it did!

A word of warning! Don’t just walk out in a crosswalk in Amsterdam thinking you have the right of way, because most cabs will not stop, and bicycles have the right of way. I almost got run over a couple of times!

On making it to Dam Square, there was a carnival going on. They had bumper cars, a ferris wheel, and some other fast rides that there was no way I was getting on. We decided to go on the ferris wheel so that we could see the city at night. Here are some pictures, but they came out blurry as we were moving.


I believe this is the royal palace in Dam Square


Another shot


A Main Road off Dam Square


Madame Tussaud's


Not sure the name of this statue

After that was done, we searched the streets for dinner. We walked down another main road, and finally after going back and forth, I decided on Chinese. I was tired of walking, and there didn’t appear to be any wait. The boss ordered an appetizer, and we both had entrees. He had two drinks and I only had a coke (finally a large sized drink and no more of those tiny 8 oz. bottles)! Total was close to 60 euros. For Chinese food

We found our way back to the hotel, and called it a night. I was happy to see more English stations here than we had in Germany, but it still wasn’t a lot. I watched 2 episodes of Sex and the City, but of course they are ones that I had already seen. After that, it was lights out.

The plan for Saturday was to meet downstairs at 9 and then head out to the Anne Frank house. If there were too many people, we’d skip it, but we might as well head in that direction. It was another cold day, raw, and somewhat foggy. I decided I was going to take matters into my own hand and I would be the one leading the way. I had gotten a good map from the hotel, and knew the general area where I was going. Again, he thought we were going the wrong way, but I think he was pleasantly surprised when we showed up at the steps of the Anne Frank house. There wasn’t a line at all, so we went inside for the tour. There were English sections everywhere, so you could follow along. It was a moving experience, and felt very strange to actually be in her house. Also so sad that she died just a month before being liberated! A definite must see if you are in Amsterdam. However, no pictures allowed inside.


Anne Frank House


A Houseboat in the canal


Me with the statue of Anne Frank - Can you see how cold it is??? Brrrr!

After the Anne Frank House, we made our way to the Flower Market. What a great place, and the flowers were absolutely amazing. And how inexpensive as well. There were beautiful bouquets of cut flowers for only 10-12 euros. Those would easily be $50 back here.


Aren't they gorgeous


More beautiful flowers


Continued in next post..............

[Colexis Mom]

...........continued from previous post

After purchasing some tulip bulbs (me) we stopped in for more hot chocolate. The boss decided that he wanted to go on a diamond tour, so we did that one next. We had gotten a flyer for a free tour at one of the main diamond houses, so we headed in that direction, via Dam Square. I wish I had had a pedometer on me today, as I’m sure we walked at least 5 miles. The carnival was still going on, and there is a Madame Tussaud’s in Amterdam that I had wanted to visit. It was however pricy, the line was long, and the boss didn’t want to wait, so we bagged it


Bond, James Bond

We made it to the diamond factory and took the diamond tour. It was okay, but nothing spectacular. We did get to see some workers grinding the diamonds down to add the facets, and we were shown some absolutely beautiful diamonds (in a secure setting, no less) but then it just turned into a sales pitch. She pulled out about 10 boxes of rings, earrings, and necklaces/bracelets that you could try on and purchase. Well, since I don’t think the boss’s boss is going to sign off on that expense, we walked out empty handed. They did have a nice area after the tour with free drinks, so we took advantage of that before heading out for lunch.

We just headed back towards the hotel and waterfront area, as we had wanted to take a canal ride, and we were getting hungry. We ended up at a place that was having an open air market, and that had a large restaurant inside what looked like a castle. I ended up with a hamburger and fries, which wasn’t too bad, although the hamburger tasted “different” to me, and after that, I couldn’t eat it.

Full from lunch, we headed out to the waterfront to take a canal ride. On the way, we walked thru the Asian section of the town with lots of eateries, and this great building.


Great building

We were the last ones on the boat, so choice of seating was limited, and we were stuck at a table with a woman traveling solo. We both kept kicking her feet (accidentally) as she had them firmly planted right under where we’d sit, and never moved them when we sat down The ride was nice, it was warmer, and another great way to see the city. After the ride, we headed back to the hotel for an afternoon rest (for the boss at least). I headed back out and did some souvenir shopping for the family, meeting back up with the boss again around 5:30.


A ferry - same front to back do it doesn't have to turn around


The Nemo Building - A science museum


shots from the canal ride


Another houseboat


more houses


The Opera House


A funky bridge


The skinny bridge


The mayor's house

forgot the name of this building - on the harbor


Central Station - trains


The ferris wheel we were on


An old church off Dam Square

We again walked the sites of Amstedam, and headed down by Dam Square again, but went into a shopping center. There was nothing in there really of interest (and definitely not at those prices) so we just kept walking. I think we walked a huge circle around Amsterdam again. We ended up down near the Flower Market again, and then came back up one of the main roads. We ended up at another steak restaurant (Argentinian) for dinner. I had a grilled chicken breast, as I was getting sick of meat, but at least they had large sized Cokes in there. After that, I was tired, and just headed back to the hotel to pack up and get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be another long travel day.

Sunday started out gray again in Amsterdam (is it ever sunny over there ) We met downstairs in the lobby, checked out, and walked over to the train station to head for the airport. This time, we found the correct train, and it was an express. We were at the airport within 15 minutes. We checked in for our flight (which was oversold) and then headed for the gates. I must say it was kind of unnerving watching the guards walking thru the airport, with their fingers on the triggers of their AK-47s. I know the world has now come to this, but still a little unnerving. After stopping for some chocolates (for souvenirs) and water (for the flight), we made it to the gate. At the gate, there was another set of x-ray machines that we had to go thru. Very thorough. We finally boarded the plane (late) and finally we were taking off. Again, I ended up with severe sinus pressure. Not sure what was causing it (my previous cold, dehydration, or something else). The audio for the movie (The Terminal with Tom Hanks) wasn’t working, so we couldn’t watch the movie. I’ve never been on a flight where they serve you so much food and drinks. I swear, the attendants spent most of their time in the aisle. First were drinks and pretzels. When they made it to the end, they then started out with the meal. Then they came back with drinks for the meal. Then it was coffee or more drinks. Then some sort of cheese/bread combo (yuck!!), and then more drinks. We were touching down in Philly before we knew it.

I was a little nervous about the customs declaration since I had purchased tulip bulbs over there, so I declared them, and the first inspector thought I’d be able to keep them. Boy was he tough, never cracked a smile. I guess you have to be in that type of position. So I had to go to agriculture, and they took two out of the three bags. Oh well. For those wanting to bring them back, they need to have a “seal” on the package. Live and learn I guess. Since there was no line for customs, we really breezed thru and were back in the main terminal at no time. By now it’s about 3:15, and our flight isn’t due to leave until 5:45. Ugh. In looking for our gate, we see that there’s another flight leaving in 20 minutes, so we decide to chance it. The boss calls USAir from his cell (since he’s a gold member – he travels too much) and finds out there are 16 seats available on the plane Would we make it??? Lucky for us, the gate was the first terminal and the first gate (B2) so it couldn’t have been easier. We had about 10 minutes to spare, and were able to get on the flight. We even ended up getting to sit in first class, as the boss made the comment about anything in first class available. I told him to shut it, I’d just be happy to get on the plane. The attendant said there were 2 seats left in first class and we could have them! Heck, I’m just happy to get home earlier, it’s only a 30 minute flight! We get on, and not long after, the close the doors, only to be opened again as there were a bunch of delayed flights and we were going to have to wait for some people. So we ended up not taking off until 4:20 So much for the rush! But it was nice to be home earlier, and in the daylight.

I made it home, and all the kids wanted were their treats, and then it was back to the TV to watch Dora I guess I just can’t compete with that

That’s it for the trip! It was a great experience, and I’d highly recommend Amsterdam to anyone to visit. What a great city, you can pretty much do everything by foot (or bike) and there are trams and trains everwhere. Definitely an old world city, and put things in perspective since many of those buildings were built before America was settled! It is also full of many different ethnicities, which was also a treat to experience! Thanks for reading

[karmic]

Great report, Marnie! Loved the pictures. Thanks!

[LizardCop]

Great Report Marnie, lovely pictures.

Thanks for sharing!!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks Marnie! Loved your trip report and I think I would be very interested in seeing Amsterdam someday!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Just got caught up with this report! Thanks for bringing a part of the world to us I'll probably never be able to visit in person.

[MontiMouse]

Great trip report Marnie! I especially like the picture of James Bond - such a cutie!!

[GoofyMom]

Thanks Marnie! Your report was great to read and I loved seeing all those photos of Amsterdam!

[wdwlovers]

Great report Marnie!!

[katspjs]

Thanks for the report Marnie. Great pictures too.

[DopeyGirl]

Really enjoyed your report Marnie!!! Add Amsterdam to my list of places to visit!!!

[loobyoxlip]

Marnie, thanks so much for taking the time to write this. The pictures were great!
[ QUOTE ]
Did I mention how cold it was? Holy mittens Batman, it was freezing. I guess we had been spoiled with higher than normal temperatures in CT for most of the fall, but it was only about 45 degrees!

[/ QUOTE ]
OK, that cracked me up. It's been 40's here for about a week and we're still all outside in shirts/no coats, just loving the weather.

I thought for sure with all that had happened you were going to check in to the hotel in Germany and only have 1 room for the 2 of you

Thanks again!