Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We traveled to Amsterdam for two half-days during June 2002. Initially there was persistent rain but the sun did manage to poke through it's rays in the end. The Grachten (Canals) of the city are special, apparently one to two vehicles fall into them per week despite the robust-looking metal stoppers on their banks. Amsterdam is famous for it's museums, houses, flowers, coffee shops and red light district. Walking into a couple of streets away from the main routes unexpectedly radiated a very small-town atmosphere. A city well worth visiting!

Pancakes are very popular and good	Mural on the street
Mural	I'm not sure if I really would go to this hairdresser

Not sure why this boat line is called 'lovers'	A huge 'Botel' on the Amstel river
It was raining while we did the canal tour. The boat had a computer controlled canned-voice explanation system in at least 3 languages	The Magere Brug (Thin bridge)
At this sweet spot during the canal tour, it's possible to see through 7 bridges	How to cycle with an umbrella
Old house	Idyllic little boat with heavy, oily-looking water
House n' hook: The hook and the beam at the top of many old-style houses were built to hoist up furniture, since the stairways are mostly too narrow to bring them up	This lazy guy sure has pointy shoes
"Never to be perfect"	What the sign says
One of the many canals	This shop has a wide range of products...
What it says	Chet Baker died here on May 13, 1958. Memento outside Amsterdam Hotel near the Central Station
House facade	How far can a house lean forward? I thought this was one of the record holders
Amsterdam old-house facade	Madonna in a Bar window
Colourful tulips at the flower market	Artichoke flower
Poppies	A passion fruit flower
These bright flowers were made of plastic and called 'Disco Tulips'	What a bright flower
Red Light District Fridge Magnets	All sorts of flower bulbs for sale
Facades	Looking down from the Magere Brug onto the sluices
The sluices	The 'Magere Brug' while opening, usually a rare sight. The thin bridge is supposed to be the most photographed bridge in town
Iron shutter painting 'Serpentine'	The Netherlands's most famous brewery. You can visit a beer museum inside
Bright poppies by the riverside	On the facade of the Rijksmuseum
An Amsterdam car stopper, knocked down by some vehicle. These posts were once painted white	What a large shoe!
A hamburger dispenser, would you believe?	A guy acting as an Alien. He insisted on a donation of 1 Euro for a photo