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.