Never before have I seen so many bicycles in one place...big ones, small ones *singing some as big as your head and bigger*, old ones, new ones, decorated ones, broken ones, wheelbarrow ones....you name it!
We left work early, got the Heathrow express and made our way to Amsterdam. Our flight was delayed by 30 min. We were 10th in the queue on the run way...rush hour even at Heathrow!
We arrived about 9.30pm and made our way to find the apartment we had rented. It was about a 5 min walk from Central Station and right near Dam Square...which was the perfect central location. Once changed and settled we made our way out to find some dinner (after negotiating the steepest and windiest staircase you have ever seen, leading to the apartment) and for me to experience Amsterdam for the very first time.
After a bit of a disappointing meal (and meal envy for some), we crossed one of the many canals and tried out the first pub...The Grasshopper. From there we took a wonder around the little streets, coming across all sorts of things...coffee shops, both normal and ones that you would only find in Amsterdam, pubs, shops, x-rated shops, museums, x-rated museums...you name it. Not to mention the red light district, which I had to say was not quite how I expected it. In my own naive way, what I thought would be silhouettes of woman sitting in windows on first or second floors in their apartments, were actually woman in little glass cubicles you could say, with glass doors and windows on the ground level...some lit with fluorescent lights, lighting up both what little 'outfits' they had on and their 'whitened' teeth...they like the bicycles (excuse the pun) also came in all sorts of sizes, ages, decorativeness and prettiness. After much wondering around, when the tiredness of the crazy week before started to kick in, we headed back to our apartment for some much needed rest.
The next day we took it easy in the morning, before heading out to explore. We found a very laid back breakfast cafe (aka incredibly slow service), before heading off to find the Anne Frank Museum (one of the few set work story books I really enjoyed at school). But after taking it a little too easy in the morning, we realised we had been beaten by the rest of the million and one tourists...and the queue for the Anne Frank House was out the door, down the road and around the corner. So we decided to give that a miss, and instead watched the very many boats weaving in and around each other in the narrow canals. We wondered around the streets a little more following the canals and came across a stage that was being set up across the canal for some music festival. As much as the boats weaved in and around each other, we weaved in and around the bicycles...with their bells ringing every two seconds (apparently bicycles ALWAYS have the right of way on pavements and all)...not to mention the cars and the trams! You had to look in all directions before even thinking of stepping off the curb...but still had a few close calls. :)
After a spot of lunch at Amsterdam's most famous chippie...we decided to queue for a canal ride...which was a great way to take in some of Amsterdam's sites and lots and lots more bicycles. The canals were constantly jam packed which made for an interesting ride, in what seemed to be rush hour, again with big boats and little boats trying to make their way around the narrow canals.
We also managed to find a pub, with Sky sports which was showing the South African/New Zealand Tri Nation game, where we surrounded by a bunch of Afrikaaners. Half time, I set off in search of an ATM machine, where I managed to get myself a little lost... After one too many corners, there is no turning back as every little side street looks the same. Just as I had the mobile phone out ready to phone Mark to come and find me...there it I saw it Hotel International (original)...a very happy sight. We continued to watch the game and all I can say is better luck to SA next time...
The Sex Museum was celebrating its 25th birthday...so we were given a free chocolate, glass of sparkling 'something or other' and a pen (rather a strange combo) before embarking on its tour through the ages... Mark decided to seat me on a chair for a photo opportunity (I should have known something was up – again excuse the pun – purely because Mark seldom offers photo opportunities), but unfortunately for him he wasn’t quite ready to capture my expression when the rather normal looking chair started to do some rather abnormal things! :)
We then wondered around a little further before settling on a Thai restaurant for dinner. People watching at night in Amsterdam is the best...no amount of money spent on entertainment could top the sights you see...which made for an interesting evening.
Sunday came and along with it the time to unfortunately make our way back to London...after a lovely fun filled weekend. I had an absolutely awesome birthday week, was incredibly spoilt and felt very loved and lucky! I now feel ready to approach whatever the rest of what my 30s may throw at me!
No comments:
Post a Comment