Amsterdam






May 29, 2012 Tuesday


We landed in Amsterdam at 12.45 p.m. We got a minor scare at the baggage claim when our bags didn't show up! We were filing a claim when they showed up! It was wonderful meeting our family in Amsterdam. We had taken the train from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Central where we met them. Netherlands reminds me very much of Germany. The trains, trams and the road network are very good. We took the tram from Amsterdam Central (Tram Number 9) to the Ibis Hotel at Stopera. After putting our bags in the room we headed out for a stroll in Amsterdam. It was a cloudy and pleasant afternoon. We wandered the streets around the canals. There were a lot of bicyclists and we had to really watch out while walking. There were special bike designated lanes. There were young and old people on different kinds of bikes. Many bikes didn't have traditional brakes and they needed the cyclist to move the pedal anti-clockwise to cause the cycle to break speed. Some bikes had huge carry-on racks where people put all kinds of luggage as well as children.




There were beautiful row houses with facade's that had different kinds of gargoyles. There were huge gothic cathedrals and clock towers. There were wonderful flowers in bloom. There were people on boats with some having drinks. 




There were people on the patio restaurants drinking and eating. There were folks sitting on the sidewalk cafe's and bars. There were numerous "coffee shops" selling all kinds of edibles with marijuana. Cafe's here sell regular coffee and Coffee Shops sell all things marijuana. People looked extremely fit as all the bicycling must be helping them physically. 



We had coffee, tea and snacks at a cafe outside overlooking a canal and a square. It was wonderful evening as we watched people go by and the boats on the water. We took more walks admiring the architecture and ambience. We hopped on to a few trams and reached Dam Square. There were buskers performing their street acts. Nearby there was Madame Tussads wax museum and a huge cathedral. There was a huge crowd on the square. 




After a couple of more trams we reached the Jordan neighborhood. This was more residential part of Amsterdam and more quieter. We wandered around the streets by the canal. We started looking for places to eat. There were all kinds of Turkish places to eat but we finally found a wonderful Italian place for dinner. Dinner was authentic Italian served at a slow pace. The food was very delicious. It was a great dinner treat from dad. We were all thankful that we were here together. 






We found our way back to Amsterdam Central. Amsterdam Central is a huge architectural wonder just like NY Grand Central. We took the tram back to our hotel in Stopera. The houses here in downtown Amsterdam are very old and are narrow. There was a period in history where houses got measured by the width and the number of windows. They had to pay taxes accordingly. So people built narrow houses with few windows. It was a wonderful day and evening in Amsterdam. 




Our grand finale was at Dam square red light area. It was extremely surprising to see prostitutes so our in the open and organized. Each of them display themselves through a glass door and entertain their customers in a very small room. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam and it is amazing to see their openness about it!    



May 30, 2012 Wednesday

We got up early to head to the airport. This time we took a taxi van. The ride to Schiphol  airport was short. We boarded Vueling airlines flight to Barcelona after having breakfast at the airport. 


Click here to view all photos from Amsterdam 

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