Anne Frank and Amsterdam

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Early start, left at 7.15am and second in line to Anne franks house at 8am, very cold but worth the wait. By the time we got out there was a 2 hours wait to get in. Am glad we took the kids to see the play - it gave them context for the museum. All of us were left with lasting impressions of how life was for jews and other minorites under hitler. We can understand why it is just so popular, you couldn't come to Amsterdam without seeing it.

Mid morning we tried the pickled herring sandwich - certainly and aquired taste but we did all try it!

We then headed off to find the free tour - a group of 30 from all over the world, no where as good as the Dublin tour. Just a mismash of info - no flow, and bad call because there was a section walking through the redlight (at daytime) district. We has a lot of explaining to do to the kids - though Greg got to see what the fuss is about without having to come back into town at night. Then the tour went on about drug cafes etc - but on and on so we left the tour about half way through.

Mcdonalds here charge about 50c in euros to use toilets - just the same as 20 yrs ago when they used to chase us packpackers out!! So we've spent a lot of time in Mcdonalds - not eating!

The bikes are everwhere - and just really crazy - not slowing or stopping, unlike home not a helmet in sight. Dogs are everywhere too - much to Kasey's delight.

headed to the Chipsy king for lunch! Sat outside The Bulldog and watched the crowds and buskers.

The to the 2km long Vondelpark to the playground for a while, back to start packing then out to dinner again.

Next day we headed out to line up for the Van Gough museum (after dropping off our bags at central station - we'd culled but thank goodness for taxis!) - well I lined up while the rest of the family went to a park for about 45 minutes. Great exhibition, took us nearly 2 hours to get through. Kasey and i love the gift shop!

Then went to see lots of Diamonds before having a late lunch and a canal cruise which was very basic but gave a good overview of the city.

We then headed to wait for the train - until it pulled in we, and the other travellers weren't sure if we were on the right platform or not, we were but down the wrong end - so it was a bit of a rush to get on but we made it. For some reason there was an hour and a half delay so we were late into Prague. The trip meant very little sleep for Greg and i but the kids slept pretty well. Not sure if there's really an advantage to using trains when flights are so cheap. Was good to see the country from a different perspective.

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Photos

Herring sandwich and the precious
Well, certainly and acquired taste - but we all tried it, pickled herring on fresh roll with pickle and onions.

Chipsy King
fries with mayo