The Amsterdam flag has 3X's on it, which are commonly known to represent Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll. We learned that more likely the 3X's originally refer to the Floods, Plague and Fire that were prevalent in Amsterdam. Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll sounds much more fun. We enjoyed Amsterdam with it's canals and bicycles everywhere! Sometimes it's hard to tell if you're walking on a road, on the sidewalk or a bike lane. Sometimes it's actually all three, so you have to just sort it out and WATCH OUT for bikes coming your way!
We did a sweet canal ride and did a LOT of walking around the city. Most places are walkable, but it could mean 30-40 mins of winding through the canals and over bridges. We were only in Amsterdam for 3 days, but I feel like we covered a lot of ground! We even visited a small town outside of Amsterdam called Zaans Schans, known for it's old fashioned windmills. And we met up with my friend Miiko's daughter, Ella, who is going to school there.
Our introduction to Amsterdam was a very long and steep escalator.Netherlands Stroopwaffel! I like the simple ones better, but this one was pretty tasty with all the extra caramel and blueberries on the top.Zoe at the Bloemmarkt in the big Dutch clogs.Me in the big Dutch clogs. HahaBeautiful Tulips! I have never seen such a dark black tulip!The KattenKabinet is a cat museum with all things cats. It was small, but cute.The KattenKabinet token cat.Too many cat drawings, art and photos to show all. . .Weird toys in the local toy store. These are Fugglers! Funny Ugly. Haha!Mannekin Pis Fries! Lots of fries and lots of sauces.A canal cruise in Amsterdam! Open boat, a tour of the cities via the canals and drinks!Some of the bridges were super low and even the staff had to crouch down so they didn't get hit in the head.Under the tunnels.The Maritime Museum - we didn't go to it, but it's a cool building.Scot, enjoying the cruise.Clock Tower known as Jack's Tower - the legend is that the bellringer was drunk and rang the bell at any time throughout the day, but he still kept his job. It gives some encouragement to others who may not be the best at their jobs. Haha.A row of crooked buildings. . . Amsterdam is on a swamp after all.A flower boat on the canalThe "skinny bridge" has a legend too. Two sisters lived on opposite sides of the canal. Their father said he would build a bridge so they could see each other. He started with a thick bridge on one end, but as he got toward the middle he ran out of money so the bridge became narrower and narrower until there was just a wooden plank.A cool house boat along the Amstel. It costs $500K for just the water space. The lease lasts for 99 years. And the house boats themselves are very expensive.Hotel De L'Europe - This building started as a simple tower "Het Rondeel." After several renovations and changes in ownership, it is currently owned by the Heineken Company.Legen has it that Heineken named the restaurant on the first floor after his wife, Marie. And around the corner on the other side of the hotel, there is a bar called Freddy's where he could hang out.The Riljks Museum (I'll have to check the spelling on that)Sunset over the canal in Amsterdam.Cool light art in the park.The Grachten Museum - XXX - Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll baby! Actually it's a really cool museum that describes the history of Amsterdam. I would definitely recommend to anyone who visits.Inside the interactive map room where they explain how Amsterdam was laid out.A closeup of the Bullshit Bat. Part of a comic called "Chad in Amsterdam."The Anne Frank House - if you want to get a tour of the inside, get tickets early! We were SOL on this one, but walked the outside.Visiting Zaanse SchansThe old windmills in Zaanse Schans - is a very cute town.In Zaanse Schans - This is the dirtiest sheep I have ever seen! I couldn't even figure out what animal it was until I walked up close.Some cool Art in the Amsterdam metro station.Blues Brothers!
