June 21-22 Amsterdam (maria)

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Today we leave Den Haag for Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands. The pretty countryside can be seen from our train. I am just in awe at how much effort has gone into reclaiming the land (polders) from the sea. Also impressive are the many types of windmills (smock, belt, tower, post) and their uses (sawing timber; extracting oil, making dyes/paints or paper; milling corn/mustard; water pumping/draining). In less than an hour, we arrive at Amsterdam Centraal Station (which sits on 3 artificial islands) and walk to our apartment located in the nearby Canal Ring. The weather is just gorgeous and we are eager to explore the city.

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Photos

Langestraat in the Grachtengordel
i.e., Canal Ring or Jordan -- between the Singel and Herengracht canals

Tourists
A'dam

Coster Diamond House & Museum
alas, no freebies with the very interesting tour about grading, cutting and polishing diamonds

Van Gogh Museum
a chronological presentation of the Artist's work 1853-1890. Sad life but love his work.

More tourists!
The Museumplein (Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, VG Museum)

Dam Square
monument commemorates Dutch WWII casualties; site of original Amstel River dam/settlement

Homomonument
in the shape of a pink triangle; commemorates gay men and women who lost their lives in WWII; and is an international monument against hatred and discrimination

HUP HOLLAND!
World Cup Fever

J & M
The Fevered

Comments

[karen]

Great too see you.
Sounds wonderful, can't decide who to vote for in the finals -should be a great game!