Amsterdam

What can I say about Amsterdam other than "WOW". Such an amazing place. We stayed a bit out of the central city yet still next to a train station. We bought a 48hr public transport ticket so we could navigate easily. The weather was great too.

We went to Zaans Schans windmills which was lovely to just wander through. Several working windmills were in operation.

Then the cheese farm although there were so many people we didn't stay, but found the cheese was available at every second store in the city anyway.

Another great experience was the wooden shoe workshop and clog making demonstration. Absolutely fascinating.

At Zaandam we wandered through the streets, had a bite to eat and were enamoured by the Inntel Hotel building that looks like a brightly coloured Jenga tower. Very popular location also.

Back in the city centre we were astounded at the sheer volume of people, it was almost too much to handle, but also gives the city it's fun vibe. We wandered the streets of the Jordaan district on the canals, saw Anne Frank Huis which was very underwhelming, simply a door with her name on it, so we chilled canal side with a couple of drinks and watched the world go by, including the canal boat whose slogan was 'smoke and cruise in style', and boy they certainly were. The smell of marijuana wafting down the canal was strong, the driver would have to be totally stoned after a full day of that, it wasn't an open air boat!!

The streets are amazing, filled with wonderful architecture and the whole place has a happy, vibrant atmosphere. Mark even got to pour his own beer from the beer wall at the gastro pub next to our accommodation.

Another shopping puzzle: whipping cream in Dutch is "slag room". So we had koffie with slag room each morning. 🤣