World Travel

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
Pancakes are very popular and good
Mural on the street
Mural on the street
Mural
Mural
I'm not sure if I really would go to this hairdresser
I'm not sure if I really would go to this hairdresser
Not sure why this boat line is called 'lovers'
Not sure why this boat line is called 'lovers'
A huge 'Botel' on the Amstel river
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
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)
The Magere Brug (Thin bridge)
At this sweet spot during the canal tour, it's possible to see through 7 bridges
At this sweet spot during the canal tour, it's possible to see through 7 bridges
How to cycle with an umbrella
How to cycle with an umbrella
Old house
Old house
Idyllic little boat with heavy, oily-looking water
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
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
This lazy guy sure has pointy shoes
Never To Be Perfect
Never To Be Perfect
One of the many canals
What the sign says
This shop has a wide range of products...
This shop has a wide range of products...
Chet Baker died here on May 13, 1958. Memento outside Amsterdam Hotel near the Central Station
One of the many canals
What it says
Chet Baker died here on May 13, 1958. Memento outside Amsterdam Hotel near the Central Station
What it says
House facade
House facade
How far can a house lean forward? I thought this was one of the record holders
How far can a house lean forward? I thought this was one of the record holders
Madonna in a Bar window
Madonna in a Bar window
Amsterdam old-house facade
Amsterdam old-house facade
Colourful tulips at the flower market
Colourful tulips at the flower market
Artichoke flower
Artichoke flower
A passion fruit flower
A passion fruit flower
What a bright flower
What a bright flower
These bright flowers were made of plastic and called 'Disco Tulips'
These bright flowers were made of plastic and called 'Disco Tulips'
Poppies
Poppies
Red Light District Fridge Magnets
Red Light District Fridge Magnets
All sorts of flower bulbs for sale
All sorts of flower bulbs for sale
Facades
Facades
Looking down from the Magere Brug onto the sluices
Looking down from the Magere Brug onto the sluices
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
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'
Iron shutter painting 'Serpentine'
Bright poppies by the riverside
Bright poppies by the riverside
The Netherlands's most famous brewery. You can visit a beer museum inside
The Netherlands's most famous brewery. You can visit a beer museum inside
On the facade of the Rijksmuseum
On the facade of the Rijksmuseum
What a large shoe!
An Amsterdam car stopper, knocked down by some vehicle. These posts were once painted white
A hamburger dispenser, would you believe?
What a large shoe!
A hamburger dispenser, would you believe?
A hamburger dispenser, would you believe?
A guy acting as an Alien. He insisted on a donation of 1 Euro for a photo
A guy acting as an Alien. He insisted on a donation of 1 Euro for a photo
Main Street
Main Street