Amsterdam
Trip Start
May 21, 2008
1
32
39
Trip End
Jul 01, 2008
Amsterdam,
Noord-Holland,
Netherlands
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Well we have arrived at the end of our journey, well the cruise part that is. What a busy city, and of course we arrived just in time for the Soccer Match between Holland/Netherlands and Russia. The city was decked out in orange streamers and flags, with soccer balls everywhere. Lots of revellers, but sadly they were to be disappointed with the loss of the match.
We went on a Canal tour that afternoon, a lovely way to see the city. It really seems to be like what I would imagine Venice would be, Northern European style. The houseboats, the fascinating lopsided houses, lots of quaint bridges, and all forms of water craft. We did another tour of the city by bus, and walked to the floating flower markets. Just beautiful, lots of colur, and all types of bulbs for sale. Also growing kits and seed packs for Marijuana, quite legal here
Orange revellers
. You certainly can tell which coffee shops serve it, when you walk by the smell is dominating.Back onboard for a while and that night we went on a walking tour through the Red Light district. I suppose you can't come to Amsterdam without including this on your first visit. I thought it was a bit tame really, perhaps a lot of the girls (and guys) were watching the football.
Sunday morning time to disembark, quite an anti-climax. We were all feeling a bit sad, the cruise had been simply gorgeous, and I could not recommend it highly enough.
We found our little Hotel where we are spending the next 2 nights. Very close to the museums, the large park - "Vondelpark" and to a Diamond Museum and factory. Went on a tour of this, saw the new diamond cut, from 58 facets to 220, what a sparkle! Just so pretty, and no they did not give any free samples. Bugger.
