Monday 4 April - I arrive in Amsterdam (from Amersfoort). Marion had booked me a hotel that I wanted to get to before I headed out for my meeting with a possible employer who just so happens to based in Amsterdam (NOMOBO). My meeting was at 15:00 (that's 3p) so I had plenty of time (I arrived in Amsterdam at 10a).
Purchased an all day pass for the metro, tram and (with a little help from some friendly dutch) headed outside to grab the tram. Marion suggested I take the tram to the Rijksmuseum, then the hotel was a short walk from the museum. That worked perfectly. Dropped my luggage, then headed out to walk the city, finding my way back to Amsterdam Centraal to get public transport out to the NOMOBO offices. (stopped and got an order of fries with mayonnaise - very Dutch). I figured I would take public transport, then my app said it would be a 36 minute walk to the office. I was good with that. Well little did I know that where I got off my 36 minute walk would take me through the fields, around lakes and under the highway! Nothing like seeing a bit of the country, in the drizzle and cold of Netherlands! At least my path was paved (for walking and of course biking). I made it to NOMOBO early so I could dry out before my meeting.
Fries with dutch mayo
ready to walk the city and to NOMOBO - think I'll look presentable for my meeting?
my walk to NOMOBO through the countryside
After the meeting, I decided to do what most logical people would do...take an Uber back to my hotel. After checking in, I headed out to dinner at a seafood restaurant just around the corner from the hotel. It was wonderful. Then I called it a day. I realize when traveling alone, you can do as much or as little as you want. So I cuddled into my single bed for a night of streaming random shows.
Tuesday 5 April - I just wanted to explore the city and decided to just walk around the neighborhoods taking it all in. I had a coffee & croissant and headed out to stroll through the city. Love everything about the city. Bikes, small cars, carts, trams, buses everywhere.! There are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. For lunch I found a local place to enjoy a traditional Dutch lunch; croquettes (Krokettens), After lunch I strolled over to see the Koninklijk Theater. Such architectural details and a beautiful building. It was not open, so I did not go inside but it was well worth the walk to see the exterior.
Koninkljk Theater
on the theater
just one of the many great buildings in the city
House boat and Amsterdam buildings. Love the architecture of this city.
tulips!
bikes and the canals of Amsterdam
Wednesday 6 April - I booked a bike tour for 2p this afternoon so decided to start my day finding a new hip coffee spot where I enjoyed a healthy bowl of fruit, granola and yogurt (YUM). As I was eating, I received a text from the tour company that they wanted to postpone the bike trip to the next day. So I decided to head to the Rijksmuseum (I had purchased a ticket for 10a Thurs so was hoping they would let me change and use it today). The museum was amazing! So much to take in, you can't possibly see it all in one day. I spent most of my time going through the Revolusi! exhibit which was about Indonesia obtaining independence from the Netherlands. WOW. It was quite the exhibit and very educational. I wandered to other areas of the museum, but after a couple hours museum fatigue took hold of me. Time to eat! Found a great little Indonesian restaurant (YUM), then back to the hotel to watch 2 movies (why not with such crappy weather, boy was I glad the bike company changed the tour!).
yummy breakfast bowl. It has inspired me to make my breakfast bowls healthy and pretty
Rijksmuseum and gardens
The 400 year old Rembrandt " The Night Watch" - crazy to think it is 400 years old! wow!!
Thursday 7 April - Found a great little local place for breakfast, not far from the hotel. Had a yummy dutch pancake for breakfast (totally different than our American pancakes), Headed to another part of town that is home to a daily street market. The area was called Pijp. I liked the vibe of this neighborhood, plus I found lots of vintage shops (my favorite). Wandered to the other side of town to meet up for my bike tour, with a stop for some carrot, ginger soup. The bike ride was super fun, navigating the streets of Amsterdam was a bit challenging (following a tour guide) but so well worth it. Met a couple of American's on the tour, a couple from NYC and one young guy from Orlando. After the bike tour, headed to DamSquare to meet Marion & Julia for dinner. Julia had lived and worked in Amsterdam for about 5 years so I got a couple ideas for my Friday (last day in Amsterdam). Said goodbye (again) to my friend, knowing it will not be so long next time before I see her again.
Dutch pancake (bacon and apple)
side street on way to Pijp
Fish at the market
This cute dog was running around the market with a balloon in his mouth.
Bike tour guide Wendawyn
house boats along the many canals
the dancing houses.
Bike tour
Dam Square
Marion and Julia
After dinner. Final goodbye
Friday 8 April - Laundry day! Thanks to Google, found a laundry spot about 10 minute walk from the hotel in an area of the city I hadn't been. Put my clothes in the washer, found a place close to eat breakfast, completing the drying as I finished breakfast. Worked perfectly. ,Walked around the 9 streets neighborhood (9straatjes) that Julia recommended, found the febo location (a wall offer snacks for purchase, sort of like a big vending machine), then happy hours & snacks at a fancy restaurant near the hotel called Momo. Back to the hotel for a rest before I headed back out, across town to get on my 9p, one hour boat tour.
Febo
Canals by night - on the boat cruise
draw bridge
Amsterdam at night
Saturday 9 April - Dutch pancake breakfast, walk to Pijp area again for the Saturday market, (got hailed on), in hotel relaxing, tram to Amsterdam Central, 15:15 train to Paris Nord.
Transporting via bike (kids and packages)
One of the many small cars driving around. Love the bright green.
Another small car cruising through the streets.
Now this is what I call good dog walking!!
So much to see and do in Amsterdam. I love the history and people of the Netherlands. I learned so much and had a fabulous time. Till next time....
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