July 30 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Another nice and slow start to the day. This one is bright and sunny though. Nice change for the rain showers. Still rained today. I have finally figured out that when the wind gets up and the streets clear and people are standing under shelter it is time for me to do the same. Wait 5 minutes and off you can go again. Afternoon turned out great. Mostly sunny!

Walked a lot today. I went through the flea market. Only 2 or 3 blocks long with the usual stuff for sale. Lots of souvenirs, clothes, shoes, and even some second hand stuff. There is quite a few LP albums for sale , both in the flea market and some music shops close by. It is really coming back I guess.

Spent the rest of the afternoon just wandering around the streets, looking at

shops and watching people. And there are plenty of people around. The city is very busy! Stopped for churros! I resisted 2 shops but did not make it by the 3rd. They are so good!

Relaxing dinner at pub next door. They did up a very nice steak!


July 29 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Nice to not be on a schedule! Very relaxing morning. Breakfast at the pub just next door. Excellent, fresh bread and croissant, cheese, ham, egg AND superb coffee! Went to the floating Flower market. Not many live flowers but lots of bulbs for sale, and of course, they ship any where! There was even cannabis starter sets, seeds included!

Just wandered around and ended up walking through the Rijks Museum. It is a huge place. The area was also very busy with people trying to get tickets to the various museums.

 It took awhile but found the Heineken brewery, which they call the Heineken Experience, as usual I seem to take the scenic route to find anything. This translates as - Got lost! It was really interesting. Some displays about the history of the family and brewery, a 3D ride (moving platform and water spray timed with a 2D film about beer brewing), video games, interactive electronics and of course finished with a tasting! They really know how to attract the 20 somethings!

Dinner with friends, Mario and Karen, a couple we met on the river cruise. It had only been a day but it was like an old reunion. Lots of fun and laughs!


July 28 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Off the boat at 10.30 and into hotel. Nice but certainly not the boat! Back to reality!
Made our way back to the train station and bought train ticket to Hanover.

Then went to the Royal Palace. Built in 17th century as a town hall and then converted by Napoleon's brother to a palace. Very lavish.

Then to church, yes another one, and listened to a pipe organ concert. 5000 pipes, amazing to listen to the organ. This is more a museum/exhibition hall now, but still used to inaugurate the King and Queens.

Went to Anne Frank House. We had to wait in line, in the wind and some rain for about 2 hours. It took about 1 hour to go through the museum. It is the actual house where 8 people lived in a hidden room. The museum takes you through the rooms they stayed in. Amazing place and such a story.


July 27 Sailing over night to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Arrived about 7 am to wind rain and temperature of about 15 degrees! What a change.

City tour by bus and not walking but included a canal boat tour which gave an interesting view of life on the canals. Many boats that people live in.

Spent the afternoon relaxing on boat and then after dinner out for a walk. Got lost but that is ok, saw lots of interesting places. Ended up in the Red Light district. The openness is very interesting. Everything imagined, down to the red lights over the windowed doors of the ladies available for business.

Also strange to be walking down the street past a 'coffee shop' and smelling weed! And probably a bong shop next door. And then another 'coffee shop'! If you want a real coffee you need to go to a 'coffee house'! The streets were really crowded, I am guessing with tourists.