Amsterdam March 2010
 

Thought I'd best start my thread now, as I only have 34 days to go. Don't want to rush into it.

I've been poring over guidebooks from the library since last year, but I have my own now. So I've collated all the info into my own guide and am feeling very organised.

On the food and drink front, I've checked TripAdvisor for other tourists' opinions and come across this gem that isn't mentioned in any of the guides but is definitely on my list now:


I've also been plotting the sights on my map of the city, so I can see things in a reasonable order. I figure I have plenty of time to take in the major museums, churches and canal photo ops as well as walking, shopping and lazing about on a terrace watching the world go by. Weather permitting of course.

I plan to go on a walking tour of the Red Light District on my first night. I'll feel a lot more comfortable on an official tour, and see things I might hurry past if was on my own. There's one that runs every night at 20.00, so it will fit in well after a huge plate of ribs!

I wanted to go to the Hammam, but it is out of the city centre and it depends on my finances. Apparently they have one in London, so I might wait and maybe take Mum there for her birthday.

I still have to figure out what I want to do on my last day. I check out at 11.00, but my coach isn't until 19.30 (although I have to be there an hour in advance, so 18.30). I can leave my luggage in the B&B, so that's no issue. But I'll have to be occupied or the time will drag. I might leave the Rijksmuseum until that day. Then just find a convivial eetcafe...

I'm staying in the Hotel Brouwer on Singel, the first of the canals that girdle Amsterdam to the West. It looks like a good location and I expect to do a lot of walking. Amsterdam is small enough to walk across in 30 minutes, so although there are also good public transport links I'll be mainly on foot. Weather permitting again!

I'm ordering new luggage, because mine is falling apart. I'm just getting bags though - easier for me when travelling and certainly easier to get up the vertiginous stairs you find in all old canal-side houses. I'll take a pic when they arrive.

wow you should take over that guys job.

He annoys me as much as you enchant me.

Bought myself a toothbrush holder today.
Stupid battery powered toothbrush won't fit into it!

Have decided to buy a cheap basic toothbrush for all future trips. Well, I have Amsterdam and Glasgow already planned. And now I have my passport again, who knows? Maybe someone will decide to whisk me away to an exotic location, requiring only that I don't bring a fuzzy-headed toothbrush with me.

I keep checking the weather forecast for the Dam. Brrrrr - chilly there at the moment. I do have a coat I can take... but it's big & bulky. Fingers crossed for balmier weather in four weeks time. YES - FOUR WEEKS!

I've transferred all my photos over to the computer, so I'll be starting with the full 1500 on my memory card. Mum said, "Don't take them all in Amsterdam, will you?" in a plaintive way. WHA?! Cheeky mare - I asked her when had I ever asked her to sit through my holiday snaps. Not since the days of film cameras anyway. Yet what do I have to look at twice a year? Not that I mind. And she doesn't either. But I'm afraid you'll be subjected to everything from a photo of the coach at Victoria Coach Station to the shot of me tired but happy back at home. I must look into getting myself on a photo sharing site before I go. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Good. Please fill the memory card with pictures. Always take lots of pictures.

Oh and what glatt said plus - don't forget to take pictures.

Can you take it back and change it for one that fits? Or get a refund and buy some sandwich bags? It's horrible going back to non-electric. Plus only brushing the back of the tongue with the electric brush can get the sound required to say "canal" in Dutch. :lol:

I stupidly started soaking the sticky labels off before I even thought to check it for size. So I'm stuck with it. It was only 49p after all.

I have plenty of sandiwch bags (I use them to remove "items" from Diz's litter tray) - I never thought of that. I will take it under consideration.

Hi Sundae. Best thing I ever did when in Amsterdam about (oh,my God!) 10 years back, was to hire a bike. It all came about because my secretary booked the wrong hotel making me the other side of town from where I needed to be. So I hired a bike for the four days I ws there, and with the aid of a decent map, worked my way across town following a series of minor canals, crossing as necessary. Great way to see Amsterdam.

Had done something similar the previous year to that trip when a project team I was in met up with our conterparts in a joint venture we were forming. Our opposites invited us out for the night, meeting us at our hotel, They informed us that our transport was waiting to take us to a few bars and then a local eaterie. 'Transport' turned out to be 14 bicycles which we all rode around town and between bars - what a night!

Watch out for te tramlines though - everyone gets caught sooner or later - I got my tyres stuck in the line groove second night I was there, cycling back to my hotel from a cocktail reception at a hotel about 20 mins ride away.

Van Gogh museum is a must to visit

I've been mulling over the idea of a bike... But to be honest I'm never really all that comfortable around traffic on a bike. In a foreign city, where they drive on the wrong side of the road, with trams and all, I think it will stress me out more than it's worth.

I have my street map and can quite happily read that as I walk. After all, walking is my absolute favourite form of exercise (as I imagine cycling is for you). I have six entire days, so I'm not troubled by going any faster to fit everything in. And this way if I wear myself out walking down Albert Cuypstraat I can always get the tram home :)

I get three days free public transport on my iAmsterdam card - if I fancy cycling after that (when I'm more orientated) then maybe I will. If I could afford it I'd love to do a guided Segway tour... Maybe I just like people looking at me.

You know, for what it's worth, that was my whole point in the thread about the rising bollards. That some travelers get confused/flustered/stressed by the different driving conditions in each country.

FTR, tourists are warned in no uncertain terms: do not bring vehicles into Amsterdam. It is set up to make it as uneconomical and difficult as possible. In fact watching live webcams of Amsterdam, you can see mostly trams and commercial vehicles. But far more pedestrians and bikes.

Do remember, many European cities were laid out when the horse was the fastest form of transport. Wonderfully picturesque for the tourists, but a work in progress for modern city councils.

One of the main blessings of Amsterdam is the canals of course. Nothing like as Venice, and although there are some comparisons it is a completely different city. Amsterdam stands on its own for the architecture, differing views and vibrancy (I've not been to the 'Dam yet, but beautiful as Venice is, it feels like a museum compared to Rome of Firenze)

Talking of canals, did I tell you I am on the Singel? First of the canals that girdle the city to the west. From my hotel they circle outwards in order of creation :
Herengracht: Gentlemen's canal
Keizersgracht: Emporer's canal
Prinsengracht: Princes' canal

Promise I will post a pic of my luggage, now I am excited again.

Oh! Almost forgot to add. Am meeting my Godfather in the day I leave London. Means a 12 hour journey becomes a 20 hour journey (we're meeting in London, but his parish concerns means we have to meet late afternoon). I do love him though, and it will be the profound before the profane :)

Am trying to organise a visit with my bro on Tuesday too (LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO!) just to pass the time in London. I'm going so early so I can see Fr Peter. Ste works in London, so will potentially be available for after-work-time-wasting, I hope.

Mum said, "Maybe he can buy you a McDonalds!"
Yeah.
I've been dieting for two months. I have lost two and a half stone (29 pounds) - must get you a picture! Anyway. The idea of my Godfather buying me a pub lunch and then Stevo buying me fast food does not compute. My usual lunch is a WeightWatchers soup!

Been trialling all my bits & pieces. My messenger bag, my lovely stack heeled boots (premiered here) and all that and everything. And I have some great new (to me) clothes. Only fear is that they'll all be too big!! But hey, that's not the worst problem in the world - I do have some smaller clothes and can always sell the larger ones on eBay - which is where the majority of them from.

I have new underwear for the trip. Just for myself. But I might give you a sneaky peek.

We need a weight loss pic! Congratulations! I lost 3lb overnight, but it's not a diet I'd recommend....

Aww c'mon, monny. Ya gotta stick with it. Did Karen Carpenter just give up?

:vomit:

haha

You'll have to see the weight loss in my face, as I feature my phiz in front of the 'Dam's many architectural delights. I'm about the same size as the pic I posted in my stack-heeled desert boots last year, but without the suntan that concerned you :)

Then again - spray tan tomorrow, so maybe I will take a new pic! Not of the boots tho - buried in the bottom of a pink bag already.

Yup - I'm packed. Not a lot more to do. Plans made with Fr Peter and the bro. Tan to be sprayed, hair to be cut, coach to be caught. If I get the laptop/ wireless to work you'll hear from me soonish. Unless I am cabbaged. But I have to much to do to succumb too badly.

Lots of hopes. Hope that the independent boat tours are running (run by volunteers so no guarantee). Hope that the cheese tasting is available - no reply to my mail, but is on the i-Amsterdam card so must be tourist-prepared. Hope that the rain forecast on Fri & Sat isn't too much for my (normal) boots. Hope I get the larger of the two singles. Hope I get to take two bags onto the coach (naughty, naughty, but I'm hoping it won't be full).

But it's my first holiday since E's wedding, so I KNOW I'll make the most of it.

totally OT, SG but how tall are you?

Have a belting time chika! Amsterdam is about to get a helping of Sundae awesomeness :P

Don't break Amsterdam, I want to go there someday! ;)

Have a great time!

Squirrel, I'm just over 5'7"
I don't mind the question being off topic, but now I do need to know why you asked of course... I don't care if the woman stalking you has pink hair, it's not me. Even if she is just over 5'7"
(I'm stalking Jim. Jinx understands. She sometimes throws Indian food out on the lawn for me).

Had to weigh my bigger bag in a panic. It seemed SO large and SO heavy I was sure it was over 20kg - the limit for coaches. Nope, well under. Don't ask for a translation of 20kg - I don't know. Dads has a bag weighing device and it's in the same language as the instructions on my ticket. Am just taking the two bags after all. The conformist in me is terrified of being stranded at Victoria Coach Station with an extra bag I can't take and nowhere to put it.

Oh I wish I wish I wish I'd taken a photo of me in my Fake Bake today. I looked like Alex Reid. Or Madge from Benidorm. Of course it washes off, leaving you with a more natural look. But I have some really funky thong lines. I knew I'd have them of course, but they make me feel sexy. As if I wear teeny tiny pants out in the sun.

If you are very very lucky I will try to get a photo.
Maybe in Amsterdam, when I've sampled some of the local cuisine.

All packed now - using Mum's toiletries tomorrow morning so I can tick off everything on my list.

I'll try not to break the 'Dam. As long as it doesn't spill my pint.

E X C I T E D!

20kg! and you are taking two bags? That will be like hurfing a dead body around. Hopefully you'll have a luggage cart.


-side note-
For anyone that wants to correct me on the weight of dead bodies. I know it is probably three and four times that weight for the average corpse but I'm just chit chatting here.

I guess it's because you always look so tall in your photos, I thought you were over six feet. You must put the camera on an ottoman or something.

Have an excellent time. The Dutch are pretty tall as I remember. Take lots of photos.

Dutch men are gorgeous.
But then I knew that already.

Feel like I've been beaten with a big spiky sleep-stick.
Am currently cuddling the Diz-cat and congratulating him on the loudest purr I've ever heard. And realising that with every movement I make, a new and interesting smell is released.

Lovely. I'm thinking about unpacking. And about having a shower. But I think I'll pretend I'm on my hols for just another few hours.

I loved it, loved it, loved it.
Wish I was back there now with twice the amount of time to spend and three times the money (although Amsterdam is a decent place to be a poor tourist in). Didn't take many pics - much of Amsterdam is swaddled in building wraps and/ or closed for renovation.

I do have some lovely pictures of food though. And a few reviews up my sleeve. Will post much much later!

Welcome back SG.

As you didn't take too many photos of the place, would you consider posting links to Google Street View? Coverage of The Netherlands looks pretty comprehensive.

Carruthers

Coverage of the Netherlands,
sounds like a euphemism for pants :P

There's a village not too far from here called Nether Winchendon.

Make of that, what you will.

Carruthers

The trouble with Street View in the 'Dam is that there are many one-way streets & pedestrianised areas. I'll do my best with descriptions, links etc though.

One thing I do want to get off my chest though - I went to a sex club. Well, you all know how much I was not looking forward to ticking the 2010 World Cup off as another anniversary... So I went to a parenclub (we'd probably call it a swingers club). Interesting. Learned some things about myself. Can elaborate if necessary.

Met a lovely American man in doing so, so no regrets. Will probably never meet again, but he helped make me feel safe and looked after. See? I have a talent for meeting decent people in real life too.

Anyway, with that out of the way I'll start posting stories & photos. None about the above I promise (unless asked!)

askin'..... :D

Yeah, what's this? You know damn well everyone wants to hear the sexy stories.

You just want to be asked. I'm sure you've got everyone curious by now. :D

I wasn't sure if I was even going to share. Ridiculously I realised you are the only possible people to share this with! Can you imagine me in the Staff Room on Friday, telling all the teachers and the other TAs about my visit to a sex club?!

I'll admit I was cheating on you with another site before I left. It is a specialist site re the Red Light District/ prostitution and various sexual activities in and around Amsterdam. A man who was visiting the 'Dam on the same dates as me got in touch and we agreed to go here together. It's the club's website - nothing graphic in the pictures, but probably NSFW simply due to the subject matter.

We met up earlier in the day, and although there was no immediate spark, he seemed a decent, laid-back sort of chap - attractive and confident and we know how far that can get you!

We met later that evening, ready to get a taxi to the club. I had been partaking a little due to nerves, and once we got in the taxi I couldn't speak for fear of unleashing very suspicious giggles. Luckily my chaperone did all the talking.

When we got there we paid (40 euros between us, effectively what we needed to spend at the bar). He paid - because alone I would have got in free, whereas he would have been charged 50 as a single man.

We went to the changing rooms, where he helped me into my corset. I was glad I wore it - it makes me feel very sexy - although I admit it wasn't the most practical item of underwear. Still, the fact no-one could get it off was a benefit - made me feel more secure.

We hit the bar and had a quick drink. Then took another on a walkabout to get the layout. It was clean, the lighting was dim, there were plenty of places for horizontal relaxation, and I had a protector - so far so good. There were public areas, semi-private areas, a little pool and a sauna, access to the roof outside, a darkroom and even a place set up with a sling. This was not intended to look like a local pub!

After downing my Dutch courage, my partner and I went to sit in the lounge area (low lighting, large sofas etc) and a man immediately came and sat next to me. I didn't particularly fancy him, but this was a different setting with different rules. All I had to do was smile at him and he started touching me. I included my partner of course - would be rude not to. It didn't take long for us to draw a crowd. The trouble was, I wasn't completely aware of who I was with at any one time. At one point I looked up from giving someone head to realise it was the man who'd leered at me earlier, who was missing a tooth. Not someone I would have expected or even chosen to get close to. It didn't upset me - this is the sort of situation where these things happen, but it was the beginning of the end for me.

My chaperone had already retreated to the bar for a couple more drinks, so I sought him out. FTR I think I had sex with about five different men. Sadly - it was hard to focus on what I liked because so much was going on. And the pressure of performing in front of a crowd was too much for some men - shoving an oyster in a parking meter anyone...?

Once back with my chap, we went into a semi private room, but even there, people came into the room and tried to join in. By that point I realised that I did just prefer one-on-one sex. But everywhere we went in the club, I was followed. I wasn't intimidated, but I did just think, "Oh shove off!"

It was everything I had hoped for, except that I didn't react in the way I expected. We were there for 2 hours, but in a way it seemed like it was all night, and yet also like it was 5 minutes of intense experience. I wouldn't necessarily go again, it's ticked off my list now. But if I did I would keep the upper hand more to start with.

Officially, Thursday night is Gang Bang night - the club is open to singles and they have working women there (you have to pay them, but not as much as in the Red Light District). All sex was safe of course - there are condoms and lube everywhere. Later, laughing over a joint, I bemoaned to my companion that I could no longer be sure who I had had sex with. I think there was a pretty mixed group in there nationality wise. Still, my co-conspirator was American. And he certainly comes with my full degree of endorsement.

Happy for you having fun SG! Thanks for the story.

My theory is that ever since this movie:

http://cellar.org/2010/ShirleyValentine.jpg

All Brit women can get laid on holiday.

amirite?

It all sounds a bit tame to me. I am reliably informed that the Wendover over seventies knitting circle has wilder nights.:blush:

Carruthers

Ahhhhhhhh....thanks for sharing, SD. Glad you had fun. :D

no pics? could you do a few diagrams then?

Sundae! You brazen hussie you!

I am in awe of anyone who can actually put themselves into a situation like that. My curiosity would never sufficiently outweigh my cowardice and inhibitions, even in Amsterdam :P

I'm trying to figure out if you did more giving or receiving? :haha:

Ummmm? Pass I think.

So, after leaving you with that thought for a couple of days, I'm ready to share some of my photos with you.

:::::WARNING:::::

Do not read when hungry.
There are a lot of photos of food.
In fact, after someone might have had a few too many "special" muffins, someone might have deleted a big chunk of touristy photos, leaving only pictures of food and a few street scenes...

Don't worry, none of sex shops or the Red Light District - those I took were wiped too.
And none of my lovely chaperone. Although I do have one in my Hotmail inbox for private contemplation. Lets put it this way, if you recognise him from that photo then you know him at least as well as I do ;)

Kicking off. Food.
I went to La Oliva - the cheapest restaurant at the top of the TripAdvisor recommendations. It's a little tapas place in the Jordaan area of the city. It was quite close to my hotel, but then so were most things - great choice (back-patting here).

It wasn't tapas as we know it in this country, where you get smaller items, but more of them per serving. Properly it is called pinchos - tapas served on a bread or pastry based, usually secured by a stick (pincho literally means thorn or spike). It's big tapas basically, and you only get one of each item.

Walking into the restaurant alone was a little daunting. It was my first evening there, I hadn't yet had a chance to try out the idea that all Dutch people speak perfect English (they do) and had no idea what the set up was there. There was a long and very attractive display of food on the bar, no waiting staff to be seen, tables or stools at the bar.

As soon as I walked in however, the staff appeared, I was offered a seat on a stool (I do wish I'd asked for a table though, stools are not flattering to big behinds) and talked through the display of food. My goodness. There must have been 30 different items. Not only did my waiter remember each and every one, he was describing them to me in English. And let's face it, coming up with a translation for figs or caramelised onions is a step up from, "Where is the station?"

I was greedy (this is a theme, you'll notice) and had four. I really should have had three. I ate approx 3/4 of each one, so I did them justice. I have come home with a much larger capacity for food than I went there with, I can tell you.

Once you made your selection, the waiter disappeared with the food and it was cooked/ reheated/ finished (?) When it came back it was hot and yummy anyway.

The place was charming, the staff attentive and the food absolutely divine. I had fizzy water with my meal - and it was a BIG meal - and it came to less than 20 euros.

I can't quite remember what each dish was now!
Back left is a fig stuffed with something and blue cheese.
Back right has a fried egg on top (the Dutch love their eggs, more of that later) and I think proscuitto.
Front left was a gorgeously rich and creamy spinach tart.
Front right was mackerel on scrambled eggs and bread.
The lighting was dim, hence the poor quality of the photo!

Actually, before the La Oliva adventure I had already eaten - no pics though. I went to another recommended place for brunch. I'd travelled through the night after all, arriving Central Amsterdam approx 11.00. So feeling terribly tired and a bit sick (I didn't sleep on the coach) I dropped off my bags and went on a walking tour.

My research paid off - while walking I saw so many of the things I read about - I was pretty well oriented from the word go from poring over the map so long. I walked out to Bagels & Beans. When I got in and stood still for the first time in about 20 hours, I felt the floor vibrating under my feet. I asked the waitress whether it was moving. It wasn't. I said, "I haven't been to a coffeeshop!"

Bless the Dutch, they're used to it. I went to sit outside just in case - it was very disconcerting. Only to find the cobbles under my feet were doing the same thing. The feeling didn't dissipate for hours! But that's why I was drinking water with my meal above anyway.

The next adventure after La Oliva was the tour of the Red Light District. Randy Roy's Red Light Tour to be exact. It cost 12.50 euros (all money will be in euros from now on - I can't be bothered to find the euro symbol!) which included a drink. Not bad for nearly two hours entertainment.

We were a group of six including me, and our guide, who moved from the Netherlands to America when he was nine, and came back on the death of his parents a couple of years ago. He obviously loved his city and was very proud of it. He was an informative and personable guide; he managed to talk to all of us about our lives in the course of the tour.

We went into places I would never have dared go. One alley in particular - the thinnest alley in Amsterdam, you had to squeeze sideways if anyone else was coming through - I simply would not have wanted to go through. There were girls working each side of it; you could easily touch both windows at the same time if you wanted to.

It was surprisingly full-on. As we went past a sex club the man on the door called out and offered us a family discount ;) I'm pretty sure he was joking - there are quite a few Red Light Tours and he would have recognised us as such. The girls were very close to their windows, the pavements very narrow in places and they were very proactive, tapping on windows, beckoning people in. Some girls worked two to a booth - there was a specific area for girls offering threesomes. There were also areas for silicon, African, Asian etc.

We also went past the Casa Rosso - a famous sex cabaret. The notable thing about that was that the owner had bought swans at some point in the past, and released them onto the canal. They dispersed during the day, but at night came home to the stretch of canal in front of the club. There were dozens of them! So my Amsterdam tip - if you go to the Red Light District at night, take bread. Both kinds.

We ended in a locals bar. Very snug and cosy (gessilig). I wanted to go back there, but after all it would have been less fun on my own.

Below is a picture of a heron on a car, because I didn't take my camera to the RLD as advised. It's not dangerous, but the working girls will not tolerate photos being taken - to the extent they will charge out and "confiscate" your camera, so it's best to leave it in the hotel rather than be tempted.

Down to Albert Cuypmarkt; the longest street market in Amsterdam.
It's in the De Pijp area of the city - the furthest reach from my hotel.

I did ask a uniformed iAmsterdam person which tram I needed to get, and where from, but he was too busy complimenting me on my hair and my bag to give much useful information! He did tell me which tram to get, but was hazy on the details, as he admitted he cycled everywhere.

That was a real surprise to me - the amount of cyclists. Yes, I know it's in all of the guidebooks, but until you see them en masse (as we did, coming though the Netherlands during rush hour) you can't really comprehend it.

I wish I'd taken a photo of some of them. They have their carriers on the front, like big wheelbarrows. Children, pets, shopping all ride in these. With panniers on the back of course. I saw a woman with a baby in a sling, another child and a dog in front AND talking on her mobile while negotiating traffic.

One of the wonderful things is the bridges across the canal are all raised. This means the road along the canal is humped too. It's great to sit beside a bridge and watch the bikes bob up and down, seemingly without effort, like fish rising out of the water. I'm sure plenty of effort is involved in both of course!

Digression over - I walked to the market and got the tram home. It was interesting to be sure. The most interesting thing I didn't purchase and didn't take a picture of - gutted. I was eyeing up a food stall and thought to myself, "Haha, that looks like a penis!" A closer look suggested, "That really does! It looks like a really accurate model of a cock!" It was. Cocks made out of chocolate to be precise, available in small, medium and large. I can't believe I didn't buy one for this year's Secret Santa. What a cock.

While there, I took the opportunity to visit another recommended place; La Tarte de Ma Tante. It's a fabulously camp and kitsch cafe and cake shop. In fact I'd already been to Kitsch Kitchen to buy a new bag (I needed one between the two sizes I had) and purse (I left mine at home!) The tablecloths are from there, so as the waitress pointed out I fitted right in. In fact all three came to talk to me while I was there, one about me hair, another about my sunglasses and the third as mentioned (she was serving me at the time).

I went for something chocolate with kirche. In the lickle bowl is cream and kirche syrup and a grape.

Will you ever believe I don't have a sweet tooth again?
Nom nom nom.

Okay, we're on a cakie theme now, why not?
These aren't necessarily chronological, but bear with me.

Went to the De Bejinkorf (the Beehive) - Amsterdam's version of Harrods. I whiled some time away there, but the most exciting things were the beautiful cakes. I didn't buy one - they were too big and too expensive for one little tourist on a budget, but pretty good value for money for two-four I think. Photos are free anyway, and I get to share them with you.

And here are some cakies I did buy.
Blame certain substances for a certain condition occasionally called the munchies...
And yes it was cheaper to buy two :)

These were from a glorious patisserie just round the corner from my hotel - a shopping street not mentioned in any guidebooks but lovely all the same. I dallied there whenever I was headed in that direction.

There was a branch of Albert Heijn there, a Netherlands supermarket. Apparently it's the most expensive of the supermarkets, but as all tourists know a supermarket is much cheaper than eating out. And it was close! I bought some stroopwafels there, and a Dutch tulip vase as a present for my ma. Seen below with carnations in - tulips aren't out in this country yet. Okay so I didn't shop there instead of eating out, but I did buy my fizzy water there.

Oops, I forgot to include the pic of the Heineken Brewey, on the way to Albert Cuypstraat.

I didn't go in this one - nor The House of Bols - because in the end I had so much else to do! But I will admit that one of the great things about being on the Continent is that they serve their beer is such little glasses! This meant that I could stop off in one of the many, many bars, have a lickle beer, go to the loo, rearrange my bag etc, and only pay a small amount of money and not have enough for the beer monster to kick in. I had a single beer with practically every meal, but I also drank litres of fizzy water and orange juice (guess where that was?) I was never drunk in Amsterdam, and I never felt out of control when I was out on the streets. Well, once. But I was being escorted home at the time. Americans have lovely safe arms ;)

Anyway.
Here is the brewery and the view from a local bar just up from my hotel. The people in there were lovely - they all greeted me a la Cheers when they heard I was English. I felt quite proud that I was there for a small Amsterdam measure, and had my book to hand. No pint-swilling-football-hooligan/laddette me.

And to Keuken van 1870.
Again, a TripAdvisor recommendation.
I didn't realise how close the Spui was to my hotel when I flagged it as a place to go. Basically I went down an alley (where the exit door to my hotel was anyway) and the first street I hit was Spuistraat. Home to Female and Partners, where I went to buy a vibrator (I didn't, too expensive) the Abraxis Coffeeshop (friendly staff, lovely muffins!) and 1870.

It was described as small and simple, with large portions for cheap prices. All correct. Again, not only did the waitress speak fluent and firendly English to me, but a waiter came over to talk about the Stephen King book I was reading. The waitress had mentioned it to him because he was a fan.

The next few pics are from there. No, I didn't finish my dinner. I did try though. Mussels and sides and a glass of lager cost me under 20 again. It might even have been under 15, I can't remember. The set menu is even less, but sadly that evening it had dishes on that I just didn't like. TBH I don't think I could have eaten three course there anyway, given the portion size!

The tables are long and scrubbed. When it's busy people are seated all together. That must be nice, but I was into early dinners and early nights on my trip - I was at breakfast for 08.30 every day after all - so as you can see it was almost empty on my visit. It was already filling up by the time I left though.

Dinner!

And me - a little too close to the flash - ready for maxed out portions.

No food in this post!
Yay!

This is the gloriously art deco Theater Tuschinki, a cinema. I didn't go to see a film there, so no pics of the interior, but according to the interwebz it is just as extraordinary.

It's on a narrow street, so I couldn't get it all in. Also a dull day, sadly.

The details are beautiful.

Goodness, am I still going?

Here is the Bloemenmarkt. It's a flower market based on barges moored on the canal. As you can see they all have canalside entrances anyway, so although it's technically a floating market, it's not quite up to Far Eastern standards.

I bought a couple of gifts for family and friends of family here. Mostly unusual coloured tulips in tins or china clogs. Too heavy to post, which is why you got none.

Note the Christmas Store to the right. It was gorgeous, but over-plastered with "Don't Touch!" signs. I'm sure it's a real problem with kids in the high season, but it put me off buying. Also we have no real Christmas fanatics in my family. Still, I was tempted to get something for Secret Santa.

Great pics! I can't wait to go there...someday.

My late lunch of uitsmijter when I was going to the Verzetsmuseum (the Amsterdam Resistance). This is three fried eggs with cheese and ham. What a porker. And there's me walking around a museum which features self-sacrifice, oppression, resistance, Jewish persecution, poverty and hunger. But selfishly, better to have enjoyed it before going in, I wouldn't have dared order it when I came out!

I also had a boiled egg every morning for breakfast. Some hard, some soft. I think it depended on who was cooking and how much attention they paid. Every morning a croissant, a wholemeal roll and a crumpet. Bizarre but true. Then a dish of butter, one of blackcurrant preserve and a plate of cheese. And the egg.

Oh, and here's a pic of me waiting to leave Victoria, because I haven't put it in so far.

Grumpy? Well, I did leave home at midday, and at this point it's about 21.30. Had a lovely time with my Godfather (the non-paedo priest) and my bro though. Yeah, it's a posed photo, but if you're on your own with a camera what can you do?

I was accosted by a big burly German man actually. He had a shaved head and a walrus moustache and a couple of thousand euros beer-belly. He spoke to me in German, as did the sweet confused Grandfatherly figure earlier. But then I was sat in the area where the coaches to Munich leave, so that's fair enough. It made me smile though. Not only did the big Herr look like Steve Pemberton's fatter older brother, but I was reading an account of the work foreign teens did in the French Resistance...

Cheers chick. That's it for now.
There are a few more to come but even my self-obsession has limits!

I'm weird about food (I might die in a foreign country) but those eggs look gooooooooooood!

Did you make it to the Van Gogh museum? One of my colleagues, who works in Cleveland, told me at conference that he and some buddies had gone to Amsterdam. I wanted to smack him! I asked him, in front of everyone else, if he had gone to the Van Gogh museum and he said yes. Then I did smack him. Later, I secretly asked him about the coffee shops...and he grinned, yes he went to those too. ;)

I love the Dutch tulip vase you got your mother. :thumbsup:

Excellent Sundae. A lot of that food looked really good. Those mussels. :yum:

Shawnee, you'd definitely find food in Amsterdam that you could eat.
I like pretty much all food, so I shopped around - price was my main motivator - but trust me there were things you would not find "foreign". McD's and BK at the very least. You'd also go for Bagels and Beans (the beans being coffee) and Barney's (to follow).

I even had a kebab. Yumski scrumski. No photo though, as I was a little ashamed of myself :) But the shop was in the alley next to the hotel! I walked past it a couple of times a day!

I didn't go to either of the big museums. Not the Van Gogh - I'm just not a fan - or the Rijksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum is still under wraps and only showing a small selection of items. I was tempted, but in the end walking the streets proved more of a draw. I don't regret it, as I already intend to go back there anyway.

Bruce - I so fell in love with those vases. Given my druthers I'd have bought a Delft one, or at least a Delft style one. But I know Mum's opinion of "going too far" and "flaboyance"! Need to buy the gift to suit the giftee. Away from the more avant garde ones it's beautiful in its own right.

Most excellent!

Some moar.

Canal shots from my cruise.
I did take some video, but it's not great quality and anyway it's a bit dull.
Not for me! I loved it, but the relaxed pace of the waterways does not lend itself to YouTube viewing. I might put it up at some point.

Canalside pics.
I didn't edit out the bumcrack - thought it would please the ladies and Shel.

This is the Magere Brug - translates as the Skinny Bridge. In its way it is as much of an icon as Tower Bridge or Sydney Harbour Bridge, albeit on a smaller scale.

There are much better pics of it of course, so I only tried to get some from a different perspective.