So was looking for a little break from work in the new year, since this weather was dragging on, decide a short break wouldnt be a bad idea- less planning, less packing, less expensive..you get the gist

My first choice was Paris, then thought Cyprus or Turkey for a bit of sunshine, then Amsterdam

Amsterdam stuck, less/no language barrier,clean, a bit quirky and orangey, tourist friendly, very good reviews with almost no complaint or rip offs, similar weather tick tick tick and plenty of information online- massive bonus plus they are non aggressive

was reviewing the price and as usual didn't make my mind up, was busy swallowing the huge amount of information, reading reviews on tripadvisor etc etc- the accommodation/flight prices shooting up gradually until 2weeks to my leave date

Main Aim was
Visit the Museum and Parks
Experience the City Canal Tour
Experience the City Bike Ride
and any extras


finally booked the hotel, then the flight...

Friday-Monday

ive reduced the size as much as i can hope it works

Double Decker Train noice

Just Outside Amsterdam Zuid station, 5-7mins train ride from Schipol

World Trade Centre Amsterdam

Bicycles are probably more than cars in this city!!! different sizes, colours, style

Hotel..

was drizzling a bit on the way to the hotel..got in didnt even shower just slept off! had to wake up 5am to get the flight at 7.45

to be continued..

Are you updating us in real time or this happend before?

Either ways, it looks interesting.. Singing up.


No forget snap those ashes inside show-glass, I always hear of them but wonder if its true and no weed up too much..

not real time, 2 weekends ago

will uodate later at home

no pictures in the red light district- you might loose your camera!

Dis Guy: not real time, 2 weekends ago

will uodate later at home

no pictures in the red light district- you might loose your camera!

Like what percentage of Netherlanders speaks English?

I love Amsterdam! Thanks for sharing
Did you go to any of the art museums?

fados4sure:
Like what percentage of Netherlanders speaks English?

I never have much problem communicating in English.

fados4sure:
Like what percentage of Netherlanders speaks English?

quiet a lot of them didnt really have much problem, its a very mixed city,

Flytefalls: I love Amsterdam! Thanks for sharing
Did you go to any of the art museums?


I never have much problem communicating in English.

yes about 4 in total, there are loads of them!!!


forgot to mention i picked up the two Iamsterdam City Card I bought online at the tourist office inside the airport, you can buy them on arrival or before you arrive, no deliveries- they can also be picked up at most of the tourist offices in the city with a proof of purchase and i.d

The cards give you free entry into about 40 museums!! huge discounts on other museums, Free Transport-the trams and some buses
25% discount in over 50 restaurants, waffles shops, ice cream shops, etc etc and it has a big map where all these museums,shops,train connections..

it comes in 24hr, 48hr, 72hr all depending on how long your staying for- got 2 48hrs- they expire exactly 48hrs after first use!

after snoozing for some hours decide to have a feel of the city,
a bit of mix up on the road, trams lanes, car lanes, cycle lane and pedestrian walkways in that order
even got carried away watching people ride bikes with so much ease and confidence
as in girls with high heels, women with their kids strapped in small carriages at the front and shopping in lil carriages at the back

Very interesting ***

loving this journal please continue.

I can understand that no pics at the red light district but who will take your camera? the police or the women in the window?

omega25red: loving this journal please continue.

I can understand that no pics at the red light district but who will take your camera? the police or the women in the window?

its not an official rule or anything like that but its an advisory-plus there some with bouncers walking up and down...

you can take pictures in the district but you wouldn't want to stay in front of a semi naked snapping away on the street will you?

it was starting to drizzle again, got the tram 5 looking for anything to warm up with, food, attraction nearby museum
got off at Hobbemastraat stop in the Museumplein [museum square] which has - Van Gogh museum, Stedelijk museum,Diamant Museum,, Rijksmuseum there are some shops there, small local restaurant- small talk something, I can see some familiar looking food on there menu so decided to hide in there for some warmth and wake up food!

The Van Gogh Museum is closed for renovation- its on display somewhere else, chilled inside the museum shop and found the iconic Iamsterdam letter

did some walk around the park, watched some few street artists, still figuring out the tram route but the cold was winning and retired back to the hotel

the hotel int itself is an attraction!! the design is out of this world!!

you get a moodpad- this remote controls everything, TV-on demand films, local and english speaking channels, you can control the blinds, lightening, temperature with the remote control

if your bored in your room- you can go down to the lobby- a section with about 6 pcs, mini boardroom styled area where you actually see peopl (guests or locals not too sure) doing work or brain storming sessions, 3 TVs you actually feel like you're at home!

and a big plus you can call anywhere in the world for free from your room!!

# dont think the hotel is ideal for families with little kids though- quiet different from the traditional hotels

day 2 itinerary

to visit one or two museums
Bike Tour
Canal Tour
and any extras

We got on the tram again-this time we knew where to stand!
got lazy and cozy on the train we decided to give the map a rest; just follow it to where the buzz is
and hopefully find a restaurant serving pasta, bolognese anything familiar food with high carbs!
we got down at Spuistraat, theres a lot of buzz around here, shops, books, a museum somewhere according to the map
we wandered around a bit, found an Italian restaurant-locked! a steak house-not serving yet! Ouch
and then a pizza shop serving wedges, pasta, spaghetti bolognese! stuffed myself well well
then hit the streets- got a few tips on using the map from the shop girl

Found the Amsterdam Museum some few streets away

Walk on Art..preview

moi

Wow! Amsterdam my beloveth City, I just gbadun this country sha, well my time wil come

this museum is huge!!! bring your comfy shoes cos theres a lot of walking...


Kpanla Exhibition

Stock fish!

This is breathtakingly nice! You sure did have fun, mate!

still in the Amsterdam Museum..


a section dedicated to the history of their football team

Where are the foooooood pics? Share!

The Van Gogh museum was my favourite

Happy Easter Weekend!

exiting the museum

Mm

was going for the bike tour next but it got windy and the ground was wet
..wasnt actually confident with the road layout and trams anyway- off the list!

walked around the area a bit hard rock cafe, went into some Irish bar preparing for St Patricks Day..before going for the canal cruise

Nice. Been to Amsterdam myself several times and find it very interesting. Nice piece.

oh boy reducing these pics no easy o

one hour canal cruise with prerecorded commentary about the city and canals