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Published: August 3rd 2018
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Just a few countries this time. France we have visited a few times in the past but the Netherlands and Iceland are new for us.
A meme that circulated at some stage noted that "I would love to visit that place but it is just too far away - said no Australian ... ever". Of course, it would be more accurate to refer to Australians who travel. We travel, and distance has never been an issue but, just quietly, there were times on the Brisbane - Singapore leg, sitting bolt upright for over 7 hours overnight on a seat that refused to recline, I definitely was not looking forward to the remaining 15 hours of the trip. Long haul air travel was losing its allure. I may have given some indication of discomfort, frustration or something. Eventually, the person who had to listen to my mumblings had a quiet discussiom with the cabin staff who immediately rectified the situation using considerable force. I consoled myself thinking that they didn't have to be concerned that, if they destroyed the seat, it would could be even more uncomfortable.
Amsterdam is the first port of call for this trip. This city of
bikes, museums and canals was, in our youth, one of those places that young people tended to visit to play. The red light district was considered very naughty and there was always the chance that you could get stoned out of your mind. That was a long time ago when such things were exciting but, when we walked through the area around the Dam it seemed that there are a lot of tourists keen to either relive the experience or have it for the first time.
We stayed in de Pijp (pronounced 'De Pipe') in a comfortable and very well located B and B. Public transport in Amsterdam is, compared to where we come from, excellent. The train from Schipol Airport had us in the Central Station in about 20 minutes. From there it was a tram, complete with a useful and helpful conductor, to deliver us to a point in very easy walking distance to our accommodation.
Amsterdam generally struck us as a relaxed and easy city that goes about its business quietly and calmly. There are times, of course, when things become urgent. We were a little surprised to see people sprinting for trains as though
it was their last chance to get home when another was due in 10 minutes, but then we don't spend much time in cities these days. Walking through the streets at most times of the day, particularly in de Pijp, we were struck by the quiet.
Bikes are quiet. They are also ridden quite quickly and aggressively at times. It is worth paying attention to the protocols that operate. As a pedestrian it is best not to stray onto that part of the roadway that is owned by the bikes. Much consternation can be caused. Bells are rung and what sounds like bad language can be heard. Very little lycra on these bike paths. Just people going about their business. We did note that the occasional lycra clad rider with their very flash, light and expensive looking racing bikes tended to ride with the motor vehicles rather than with the other bikes. Interestingly, motor scooters and some smaller motor bikes clearly were regarded as 'bikes' and also use the bicycle paths.
We visited in peak season and, as one might expect, there were large numbers of tourists about. The area around the Dam - where you find the
Royal Palace - and Nieuwmarkt, which is in the older part of the city and adjoins the Red Light district, were overflowing with people. Popular attractions such as the Anne Frank House had extensive queues even though you had to book on-line.
There seem to more museums in the city that one might reasonably require but, helpfully, some of the major ones have been grouped into the Museum Kwartier. The largest there is the Rijksmuseum and that is said to take many days to 'do' properly. We didn't.
Canal tours are a handy way of having a look around the city. There are Hop On Hop Off buses and also HoHo boats. We opted for a smaller boat tour with Kin Boats with a driver/guide who has an amazing ability to navigate the skinniest of canals and the tightest of turns. A well spent hour or more.
The Albert Cuyp Market was a couple of hundred metres away from our accommodation. There wasn't a lot in it that we needed but it was fun to wander about and look for stuff we might have wanted.
We enjoyed Amsterdam which, to us, seems a very easy place
to live in. Our next visit, should there be one, will be outside peak season.
We will be back in the Netherlands a couple of times this trip for short periods but, for now, it is off to the wilds of Iceland for a few weeks.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Great to see you blogging again!!
Two years is a long time for your fans not to hear from you. Glad you are on the road again. Eager to follow along on your adventure. We love all the museums that Amsterdam has to offer .... and the canals are picturesque.