So I was a bit bummed that I didn't have enough time in Belgium to make a day trip to Bruges, or Antwerp, or anywhere other than the capital, as my fourth day of the trip was spent on the train to Amsterdam. Actually I should really say trains. I bought the ticket and was told that there was a direct train to Amsterdam central (as well as a stop at Schiphol airport where my hotel was), so I whipped out my PamBee in an attempt to get some much needed rest on the 2-3 hour journey. After the train was delayed at Gare Centrale for 45 min, we were told that we were finally going to be moving. Then told the train was cancelled. Then told to move to one on another platform. And we finally got moving, until we reached some random stop in the Netherlands and told that unless you're going to Rotterdam you should get off the train. So yet another change. About 20 minutes later in another city I cannot remember we changed trains again. Then when we arrived in Utrecht we had to change trains AGAIN! In total, not counting the metro system in Brussels, I had been on 5 different trains going from Brussels to Amsterdam. The only break I had was that it stopped at Schiphol Airport before Amsterdam Centraal, so I could walk to my hotel from the train rather than endure my 6th train.



Anyways, the hotel in Amsterdam was AMAZING! The biggest hotel bed I have ever slept in my life (believe me there have been quite a few). So comfy, so soft, and you could control the lighting.






Even a toy to keep company at night.

Rain shower and loo, with lighting. Sometimes I'd have blue, pink, green, orange. Whatever felt appropriate.

The Rijksmuseum, which houses some of Rembrant's famous works as well as a few by Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet. I was really bummed, because if I had arrived only 2 weeks later I could have seen Damien Hirst's For the Love of God (The platinum skull, diamond encrusted, asking price of 50 million pounds). If I get a Dusseldorf flight on my reserve I'm gonna take a train and see it.

Museumplein

I can't really remember what this is, I think though it's the church near Anne Frank Huis.

Shady street at sunset with the famous 'coffeehouses' everyone kept egging me to visit.

Anne Frank Huis, where Anne Frank and her family hid out during WW2 during the Nazi Occupation of the Netherlands. The queue was HUGE but totally worth the visit.

Concerthall

Best apple pie I have ever had, from Winkel.

Prinselgraht, one of the numerous canals in Amsterdam

Heiniken Brewery. I didn't go in, mainly because I don't drink beer, but I'm guessing that Heiniken tastes no different in the Netherlands than anywhere else in the world.

Holtkamp, a family run business, that sold Dutch coquettes made-to order. Much better than the croquette vending machines at Febo. I must have had about 5 from this place. Mmmmm.

Vondelpark where some people go to take magic mushrooms. I was just happy having some space to ride my bicycle without crashin into kids, or getting run over by cars...

To be honest, as much as Amsterdam is a popular destination is amongst crew, I found that I enjoyed myself in Brussels more, as tourists treat it for the wonderful city it is rather than an adult playground. I also went to the red light district in AMS, and just found it seedy, brimming with sex shops and coffee houses. It did have a Vlamse fries somewhere which was alright, but walking around there and seeing girls in windows, some of which were very pretty, was just sad. I wish that I had enough time for a day trip to Rotterdam, or The Hague, but alas the downside of reserve is the inability to extend leave by bidding or swapping for days off.

So now I'm back in Dubai, with jars of Andalouse sauce, and Neuman's chocolates in tow, plus some more additions to my Christmas decoration and magnets collection. My next leave is in December and I'm already on Tripadvisor planning my next big adventure.

Labels: Holidays

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