Trip to Amsterdam
July 26, 2010
Last Friday my best friend Sue and me took of to Amsterdam for a 2 day trip. As usual one of us was late and this time it wasn’t me. So when Sue arrived she hurried to buy a ticket, and 10 minutes later we catched our train. In the train we discussed the transfer from train in Eindhoven. We only had two minutes to change platforms and smoke a sigaret in the smoking area. Our conclusion was not to smoke a sigaret in Eindhoven. After 35 minutes we arrived in Eindhoven. We really wanted a sigaret. We were gladly suprised to see that our train was a few minutes late. A trainconductor was smoking a sigaret too. Now there was no need to walk all the way to the smoking area. After 5 minutes or so, our train to Amsterdam Central arrived. After 1 Hour and 20 minutes we finally arrived in Amsterdam.
We knew how to get to our Bed and Breakfast. We had OV chipcard, because all public transportation is only accesable with the this card. That damn card costs 8 euro and then you need to put money on it. That’s another 15 euro or so for two days. We thought to be smart and ask were we could get on the tram. We saw a police officer and we asked him. He said tram 7 and 13 don’t stop here at the central station, you can catch it on Leidseplein (Leidse Square). Gullible as we are we believed him and decided to first go for a good cup of coffee and a smoke. And then would walk to the Leidse plein in the assumption that we had enough time.
We passed the Dam and the Royal Palace. Along the way we went into a few little stores. One of them was the Open Shop, very friendly owner. She explained the concept of her store. If you love self made extravert clothing and accesories this is the place for you.
After that time was running out. We had to check in the B&B on 4 o’clock and it was half past 2. We finally reached a square but it was the wrong one, we were on Rembrandt square. Another police officer told us there was no need to walk all the way to Leidseplein, because our tram also comes at the Central Station and The Dam. That first officer just told us a lot of …. shit. Luckely we knew our way back to the Dam and after 10 minutes we were on the tram to Amsterdam West, De Baarsjes. Because of the good tips of the B&B owner we found that in less than 5 minutes.
We booked a beautiful and cosy Bed and Breakfast from owner Miguel Scheer. The B&B looked very well and it had everything you need. The cutest thing was the cupboardbed, in dutch called a bedstee. I loved the setting. It was very well arranged. The location was perfect, near public transportation 5 minutes, a small shopping center 5 minutes and the best of al a big park nearby Rembrandtpark, also 5 minutes from the B&B.
Settling in and freshing up we went to the closest supermarket to do some grocery shopping for diner. After cooking diner we went to Rembrandtpark to do some sightseeing.
I like nature and at home i go for walks every day. For me it’s very relaxing and these are new surroundings for me. I think Lady would love a park like this. Too bad she wasn’t with me to run and play. Maybe some other time. That did not make it less fun because i’m a big kid from nature and when i saw a tree i climbed it. Other people in the park looked at me like i was totally nuts. I did not care, it felt good.
After all that exercise and excitement we decided to go back to the B&B. We watched a some movies and had some laughs. Then i decided to turn in for the night because tomorrow would be a long day and i wanted to be fresh and energized. I didn’t fall a sleep right away because i missed my dog Lady and i’m not used to sleeping alone.
The next day i was up bright and early and after a cup of coffee we went on our way to Amsterdam Centrum. We did this by foot because we wanted to see more of Amsterdam. After 30 minutes or so we reached the centrum. There is so much to see and to do, it’s unbelievable You have to see it for yourself, Amsterdam is one of a kind. Even if you stay here for a whole month, you will never see everything and do al the things they have overthere. Like the beautifull canals, there are so many of them. It is mission impossible to see them all in one day.
We saw so many great old buildings, towers and churches. You dont know were to look next because they’re all beatiful and unique. Walking trough the centrum you can really imagine how life was in Amsterdam a few centuries ago. We had a map. Looking back on the map now, we still see so much that we haven’t seen yet. We had to stop for breaks a few times because we did it all by foot. But you can sightsee Amsterdam also with a canalboot, bus, canalbike, with a guide or with a horse and coach. So also for the less adventures or sportive persons there are lots of ways to see the centrum.
Amsterdam has more then 50 museums and exhibits, for example the Anne Frank House, Rijks Museum, Van Gogh museum, The Royal Palace, het Stedelijk museum, Nemo science center, Resistance museum, Vodka museum, Amsterdam Historical museum, Diamond museum, Erotic museum, Hasj and Marihuana and Hemp museum, Jewish museum, Madamme Tussaud, Sex museum, bags museum and many more.
Sue is a big horror fan so we decided to visit the Torture Museum. That was a lot of fun and i saw a lots of things that i never knew that it existed.
After a long and super fun day we went back to central station to go home but with the promis that we would be back here very soon. There is still so much to see and to do. I’m gone miss Amsterdam when i’m back in my small town Tegelen. And can only advise everyone that reads this post to visit Amsterdam and fall in love with it’s freespirit and lovely surroundings just like me.
