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.