Rijksmuseum, the Louvre of Amsterdam

We waved goodbye this morning to Kate (on her "new" bike just bought last night for just 45 euros  from an on-line bike seller) and Rebecca as they headed off to try new hair styles. 

Norm and I caught the tram and found our way to the Rijksmuseum before 10. For almost three hours we tried to see as much as we could of the more than a million objects of art, including 5,000 paintings, dating from 1400-1900. There are still a few we didn't get to, although the building itself is wonderful, after a 10-year closure and a one billion dollar renovation. We must have seen at least half that value in a small number of Rembrandts, Vermeers and Van Goghs.

It seems most people are only interested in two things, Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's Kitchen Maid. The crowds were amazing and increased by the afternoon, just in time for us to leave. Here's a picture of people taking pictures of a big picture hanging on the wall.

And without the many people.

One of the enjoyable sites in the museum is the library. Quite impressive! You look down over three floors of book stacks connected by a spiral staircase; the place is open only to scholars and researchers.

One can only really manage one museum a day. 

The building alone is a work of art. You can see at the end of the hallway above hangs the Night Watch. The building seems designed to draw you right to it. Clever!

Time for walking now and we came upon Rembrant's Night Watch as a sculpture, although somebody hung a towel around the artist's neck. You can get right up close to the figures of the Night Watch, including the little girl and a dog, closer than they let you at the Rijksmuseum.

Lunch at the Bagel Cafe. Yes we had bagels, one with goat cheese, walnuts, arugula, honey and tomatoes. The other had jam. Delicious! 

We headed towards the waterfront. The boats using the waterways all at the same time show remarkable skill at manoeuvring. As a draw bridge lifted and closed we watched three ships gracefully slide past each other.

Although we knew where we were going, the pathway is always changing. We surprised ourselves by coming to the Hermitage, a museum of art of Alexander, Napoleon and Josephine. We didn't visit but did enjoy their gardens. 

And the I Amsterdam. 

Couldn't resist a "real windmilll" right in town. 

As we moved along the docks we counted eight or more river boats and a number of cruise ships. Amsterdam does invite the world. 

Finally back to Centraal station to head home. We barely got our shoes off when Duncan asked us to join them down on the waterfront at a micro brewery. Not wanting to pass up this opportunity we headed right out again. Turns out the brewery wasn't to be, so we rendezvous for snacks at a classy food faire in converted tram barns just off the Kinkerstraat (yes, real street name). Pizza, rice wraps, sushi, fries, burgers, beer, wine and hot dogs. We had it all! A full day. 

And Yellow Bunny has a new friend, Miffy. Created by Dick Bruna. Famous here just like YB. 

Relaxing in our room. 

You know you are in Amsterdam when...

A good night's sleep and we were ready to explore Amsterdam. Yummy breakfast included in our room. Service is slow but the food is delicious. According to Rebecca that's the way it is in Europe. Oh well, we have time on our hands.

Took the tram into town and decided to get the touristy spots covered so more time to explore the off the beaten paths. 

One of the "cutest" cars here is the Canta. It can be driven without a licence, on the bike paths and can anywhere a bike can go. You see them parked on the sidewalk, and the couple of Cantas we've seen in motion sound like they're powered by a lawnmower, a small one. Apparently you can fit three people in them. Duncan says they cost 13,000 euros new, but the elderly apparently can get a subsidy. Kate just can't wait to get one. 

Walking through the central part of Amsterdam, there are many tourists. But the streets and buildings have such interesting views, we had to take many pictures. You may notice the toque and scarf I had to borrow to keep warm. Spring is a little cool here right now. 

You can't do Amsterdam without seeing Dam Square. Somewhat less exciting than when I saw it 38 years ago. There were carnival rides, souvenir stands and vendors selling lovely Dutch treats like olieballen (deep fried dumplings with powdered sugar) and poffertjes (tiny puffy pancakes). Next week is the annual commemoration of the liberation of Holland and the end of the Second World War and King Willem is to appear to the crowds to mark these special days.

More walking, lunch at Brabantse Aap (means the ape from Brabant, we think). Good beer, coquettes, falafel sandwich, and Brie, walnut and fig panini. And of course the frites with mayonnaise. 

Walking home to work off this lunch took us another hour or so. But doing so, we got to see where the real people live. We found interesting neighbourhoods where we bought some Gouda cheese, dried Turkish figs, olives, wine and baguettes ready for snacking back at Duncan and Rebecca's. 

Biking is the means of transportation here. There are bikes everywhere, carrying one to five people. So cool.

And so many bikes..... How do you find yours? 

Graffiti are everywhere and here is just one example. 

I AMsterdam!

Nothing like a cold beer after schlepping those extra bags from airport to train to taxi to our hotel room.  Once we checked into the Skotel (school hotel) where there are many young people learning the travel business, we had a rewarding three hour nap. 

Mine seemed to go down faster than the others. Followed with burgers and frites with mayo.

 Feels good to be in Amsterdam. We have now connected with Kate and heard amazing tales of her travels and STILL lost luggage, had a walk with Duncan, Peanut and Blue, and mint tea and stroopwaffel with Rebecca and her best friend Courtney.  

Tomorrow we go exploring. 

Immigrating or just a holiday?

We are off to Amsterdam, Germany and Belgium. From the picture below you might think we are immigrating. 

But no we are just helping our children with things they need.......

All is good as we wait for our flight to Amsterdam in a couple of hours. 

And Norman is still smiling! Stay tuned for more adventures.