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Published: June 26th 2017
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Geo: 52.3738, 4.89095
We woke to a cloudy but dry morning/ As we have found there is nothing much open in these big cities for tourists before 10am so we took our time. We left the hotel at 9-30 and strolled down the Kalverstraat which is the main shopping street. We found a small patisserie where we stopped for coffee and croissants for breakfast. We then reached Dam Square. This is the hub of the city which contains the Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk and the Dam Monument.The changing of the guard was happening at the palace as we arrived and then there must have been a morning reception as we watched guests show their invites to the guards and be admitted to the palace.
We walked on to the Central Station. This was our meeting place with Kim Sutherland, an ex student whom I haven't seen for 30 years. However, we were not meeting her until 12-45 so we went on an hour canal cruise.This left at 11 and was most enjoyable.Amsterdam has over 160 canals and the only true river, the Amstel. We first went into the very large canal behind the Railway station before turning into some of the smaller
waterways. We went past many of the major sights including the Rembrandt Museum, the Opera House, Westerkerk, once the largest church in Europe with an extremely high tower and the house of Anne Frank, outside of which was a large queue waiting to be admitted. There are many houseboats lining the canals which have all manner of plants etc on them.They are all supposed to come out of the water every 7 years but many look like they haven't moved for ages.
On our return we went to the station and duly at 12-45 I took my stance under the Starbuck's sign in the main entrance which I thought was the meeting place. I had seen another Starbuck's further on but Kim had said just inside the door. I waited for an hour. I did check the other Starbuck's but not for about 25 minutes. Realising that some dreadful mixup had occurred and hoping there was nothing wrong we returned to the hotel and on Facebook there was a message. Kim had waited at the other place. In the end to quote Shakespeare, All's Well That End's Well. We found our way by tram and taxi to Kim's Studio where we
had coffee and cookies and we got to meet Puggsely and have a great catch-up. Kim even drove us back to the station in her beloved Fiat 500.
We returned to the hotel for a rest and then, at 7-30pm set out to look for dinner. The Reception Clerk recommended a nearby Italian restaurant called Incanto. This was excellent. Situated on the first floor it looked out onto the Munt Tower and the canals. We had a top class meal there, starting with quail and then I had a Gnocchi and Lobster while Fletcher enjoyed a Rack of Lamb. Finishing with Gelato and Limoncello we were truly sated.
The afternoon rain rather dampened everything but all in all the highs outnumbered the lows.
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