http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Europe , Netherlands , North Holland , Amsterdam en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 01:43:20 +0000 Tue, 21 May 2013 01:43:20 +0000 Time for a little culture so I jumped onto the old folks bus and headed to what seemed like a retirement village that is Keukenhof.There I wandered around and had a perve at some really amazing looking tulip fields colours as far as the eye can see. Im not one to go all goo goo over flowers so they must be pretty cool if even I think they are worth looking at.After a few hours I had to get away http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-786787.html After a day of walking around Amsterdam city it was time to spend half a day walking around the whole country. So off we went and drove to Maduradam a large model park of Holland... that has been shrunken down in size.The detail on the models was pretty amazing and quite funny to see after you have actually been in the full size real versions of it. We acted like kids all day wandering around H http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/Amsterdam-Zuidoost/blog-786784.html After a long flight over... well two long flights over one with 7 hours of no entertainment system I Finally made it to Amsterdam. Was great to see a familiar face on the other side of the arrivals terminal which was just as great to not have to find my way to into town and look for a hostel at 6am.Given the long flight it was natural that I should have a snooze so it was said we would sleep f http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/Amsterdam-Zuidoost/blog-786778.html Last day in A39dam we were up early and had breakfast in our apartment the Bakery closed due to it being a national holiday today ascension day. We had been looking forward to visiting the Rijksmuseum State Museum where Rembrandt39s the Nighwatch is kept. The building is massive see photos just the buildings alone inside and out were worth coming for magnificent We have walk http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-785244.html Today we made breakfast in our apartment we needed to use up our food we only have today and tomorrow before we move on to our next adventure.We wanted to do the free canal cruise that came as part of our IAMSTERDAM Card. We walked around for about two hours through the beautiful neighbourhoods along the Amstel River and then thought we found the right boat company but it turned out we actual http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-785113.html After about 9 hours of the smoothest flying we have ever experienced Josh and I have finally made it to Amsterdam. I am also pleased to report that all flying anxieties were conquered of course due to the smooth flight a great selection of movies and hours of Tetris battling. On that note I might add that KLM airlines are pretty amazing always coming by with drinks food and more apprecia http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-785008.html We started the day with breakfast at the Bakery down the street and we asked them for watered down coffee for Steve and the waitress assured us that their coffee was very weak Dutch coffee and so Steve said ok When the coffee came it looked identical to all the other Dutch coffees he39s had and it was just as strong so from hereon in it39s Starbucks only Yes there are Starbucks here http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-784888.html This morning we took the tram to the Prinsengracht to see the Anne Frank House for weeks I had been trying to get tickets online but they were all sold out we had no choice either stand in line or don39t see it. We stood in line...for 1 hour we figured if we stand in line for anything this would be it. photoIt was powerful to see the video of Otto Frank and hear him talk of his daughter http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-784616.html This afternoon we walked to the Vondelpark it was very beautiful with all it39s big trees..see photo ..on the way there however Steve needed to find a bathroom well we couldn39t find one or so I thought but apparently he did...see photo We were not able to get to Dam square in time for the Remembrance Ceremony so we went to the Ceremony at the Weteringsplantsoen at the spot wher http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-784237.html Great flight in on KLM They served us two complete meals and the 8 hr flight was over before we knew it ofcourse neither of us got any sleep so when we landed at 800 am in Amsterdam we were starting to get tired and the day still ahead of us taking notes for next time timing of flights is important. We caught the train under Schiphol Airport a double decker train and were at Amsterdam Ce http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-784206.html Howdy folksBeen a bit since I last wrote so I figured it was time I got on it. There39s a lot to write about so here it goesLast I wrote I was just heading into Budapest. Since then I have been to Zurich Paris Lille Bruges Rotterdam and currently Amsterdam. It39s been a crazy two weeks of travel and it39s only about to get crazier. Budapest for those of you that have not been is an http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-783958.html This was my third time visiting Amsterdam here is a little info of my trip and Queens Day. Background Queen39s Day Koninginnedag in Dutch in Amsterdam is a unique night and day carnivallike event at the end of April each year. The event includes a huge party all people wear orange across the whole city and is combined with the market throughout the streets. This year was the last Queen http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-783957.html ltstrong stylemsobidifontweight normalgtSeattle to Bucharest I am on the first leg of a cruise on the Danube River in Eastern Europe. I am traveling with my travel pal Bill Kepper who arrived at SeaTac airport limping along with a painful hip. He has complained of hip problems for some time. This could be problematic for him since I expect we will be doing quite a bit walking at stops http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-783257.html Not the best of nights with screaming laughter punuating the air throughout finally sleeping we woke to heavy rain. We shouldnt complain as this is the first real rain we have had on our travels to date but being British.we DO Woolly was all for staying in bed for the day but we wrapped ourselves up and set off to Amsterdam for a second time. The trams are so efficient and running every t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/Amsterdam-Zuidoost/blog-783171.html Getting an early start is unusual for us but we made it off the site by 9.30am ready for the day ahead the first stop was to be the Delft Pottery finding it was easy enough we just followed the coaches getting in proved to be a problem two hours wait we decided to leave it and head to our next destination Woolly says This was the one I had been looking forward to most Woolly World. The d http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/Amsterdam-Zuidoost/blog-783099.html We are leaving later this week just four and we39ll be in the air heading to this great city. See you soon. So much to doooooooo http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-782131.html Amsterdam can be an intimidating city at first. It is fast paced. It is loud. It can be a bit dirty and trashy and bawdy it can also be sleazy if you turn down the right alley. It is bars and coffee shops and pubs and cafes and smoke and music and noise. Its shops and trade without end. Its food stalls and smells and crowds and people and an occasional person that less sensitive people migh http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/Amsterdam-Zuidoost/blog-781127.html I have been to Amsterdam before so although our canal cruise was peaceful and beautiful it didn39t have the thrill of the new. I did however buy a new hat. I lost my original very cosy hat on the train to Newcastle and was halfheartedly looking for a replacement. We came across a flea market where a guy had a box full of faux fur hats 5 each. Here39s the one I bought. It39s a b http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-779873.html Last view of the UK for a while http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-779830.html First leg of my epic journey to China completed with a short flight to the very cool Schipol airport in Amsterdam. I love this crazy airport so much. There39s the seating made to look like your own living room complete with sofas and log effect fires and the library the art gallery and the Delftware teacup seats in the restaurant. Then there39s the weird cocktail bar with signs saying 39 http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-779639.html