'dam you!

Having not set foot on the continent for four months, it was not before time that we took a couple of days off to visit Amsterdam last weekend. After too long in London, our initial impressions were that of space, quiet and cleanliness, impressions that were only confirmed the longer we stayed...

Museumplein

Canal of fire

In a town reminiscent of Melbourne (particularly the cafes and shops in the Jordaan and Utrechtsestratt areas, though maybe it's just the trams?), we thought it only right that we had numerous, extended sampling of the cafe culture which is so lacking in London. Not deterred by the lack of chain-establishments, we put in the hard yards sampling what real food and coffee should taste-like. The culinary highlight being undoubtably the heavy influence of Indonesian food, which seems part of pretty much every menu. Though our soft, non-spice eating english palates (and digestive systems) had more trouble than they should have, which caused us some concern regarding how we'll deal with real food on our return home...

Aimes and Crista at the Albert Cruyp Market

City of bikes

We also caught up with our friends Crista and Ruben who we met travelling in Laos some 3 years ago now. As well as being great to catch up after so long, visiting their place allowed us to see the non-touristic side of the Dam, one which is filled with open windows, stacks of bikes and some very tall timber. While acknowleding that both of us may be slightly vertically challenged, it was still a shock to venture into their local to find that we must have missed the sign saying that you must be taller than 6''6' to enter...

Crista also accompanied us to the Albert Cruyp Street Market where we were able to sample the traditional dutch cuisine of smoked herrings, stroopwaffles and frites and mayonnaise (or should that be mayonnaise and frites?).

Tilting houses and 'lifts' which are apparently still used when moving in - very cool!

When in Amsterdam...
Ruben, Christa and Hobbes
Queuing for the much loved mayonnaise and frites

Being first timers we tried to fit in some of the prerequisite Amsterdam sight seeing in between our relaxing, taking in the Riyksmuseum (impressive even though part closed), the Van Gogh Museum (not bad) and the Heineken Brewery (a whole lot of nothing...). Being a very walkable city we ended up covering what is now our standard several kilometres a day checking out the various neighbourhoods, and (importantly) managing to avoid being run down by any trams, cyclists or cars, which could not be taken for granted.

Despite having the best 4 days of the year, it wasn't all sunshine
A is for Amy