Amsterdam
Trip Start
Aug 06, 2007
1
19
47
Trip End
Nov 22, 2007
Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Saturday, August 25, 2007
On Thursday morning we left Bruges behind and jumped on the train bound for Amsterdam, Netherlands, on the way we stopped off at Antwerp in belgium to have a look around, pretty boring city actually. Its meant to be the Dimaond capital of the world, and it is but wasn't exciting. Anyway hopped back on the train after a couple of hours and it was PACKED, our packs were sitting in the walkway, we then heard that we needed to get off this train when we got into The Netherlands and board another one, which was just as packed but at least it was a nicer train. we arrived in Amsterdam at around 3pm. To get to the Hostel we took a metro train and a Tram. The Hostel is a little our of the city centre but a 10 minute tram ride is fine. It is a very new place and is HUGE, about 500 beds available all up, we are in a 6 bed dorm this time but we do have our own bathroom in the room.
Now Amsterdam is a very interesting city to say the least. There are more Bikes than people and they are crazy nutcases. Basically they just keep riding and if you don't get out of their way they will run you down. All the bikes are old and look like they are something straight from the 70's but there is a reason for this, alot get stolen so if you had a nice new bike, well you wouldn't for long anyway. Instead of a Multi level car park at Central Station there is a multilevel Bike park. its too funny
The famous Red Light district sounds like it would be such a seedy place but it really isn't. The main strip goes along the canal and besides all the shops and 'Businesses' that line the street its quite a pleasant walk. This was not too late at night though. Most of the people walking around are actually curious tourists like ourselves.
There are 'Coffee shops' everywhere and no they are not quite like the coffee shops we have at home. and well i'm not even sure if they sell coffee, anyway. or at least if they do, the patrons would most likely not be having a latte. but apparently you can get a specially' brewed' tea, not my cup of tea anyway.
We went to the Van Gogh Museum which i had no interest in as i am not an arty person so i found it terribly boring but i didn't realise that i have a copy of one of his pieces at home, and i never knew hehe.
Today (Saturday 25th) we went to The Heineken Brewery, a very commercialised Beer theme park kind of place. It was fun though and you got 3 small glasses of Heineken and also got to do this
http://bluescreen.bitmove.tv/bitmove/cgi/receive.jsp?uid=782 D6FC1B96232270CDC3ED55B980A93&format=wmv
so that pretty much sums up Amsterdam, Interesting but not my favorite so far
Tomorrow morning we are heading to Cologne in Germnay, a 2:30h train ride.
speak sooon
M & V
PS. link to some photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melvic/sets/72157601634790618/
Comments
Hello
Hello over there you travellers, That photos looks liss & Brayden how weird is that.
At least the weather looks really nice for you..
Have fun
XXMommy