Day two in Amsterdam. We felt pretty good this morning thanks to the first real sleep in a couple days. With our new found vigor we decided to head out to the Rijks Museum for some upscale tourist action. There is currently a master works exhibit on with works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and many others. We spent about two hours checking out sketches, sculptures, furniture, china, and of course paintings.
Following the art attack we decided that our next destination would be Anne Frank House. On the way we encountered some painted elephants; does every city have painted animals now, and who came up with this idea? We also ended up walking through some super fabulous shopping strip with all sorts of snooty clothing and accessory shops (Gucci, Rolex, etc.) We ended up walking the two or three kilometers to Anne Frank house, which was good, but unintended — the friggin ‘Stop and Go’ bus wouldn’t pick us up on Prinsen Gracht. I imagine the Anne Frank House is likely to evoke all sorts of reactions from people; mine was one of contemplation.
After toodling around more of the city today, I got much more of a sense that it is a pretty big city, not like Victoria where there is just one or two main business areas. There are loads, upon loads of shops, restaurants, and other businesses.
All in all, a great day, but I think I can speak for all of us, we’re exhausted.
I am posting this at about 10pm Amsterdam time.
Our temporary residence in Amsterdam on Raamgracht (main floor of the building just below the bell tower.
Ducks racing on one of the canals near our vacation rental.
Looking towards our vacation rental from the other side of the canal.
Another one... looking towards our vacation rental from the other side of the canal.
Lisa and I near the mushroom shop. I'm pretty sure they weren't selling the mushrooms you might be thinking of.
I give the camera to Michelle for five minutes and this is what we get -- smut.
Bike down! Bike Down! Someone call 911.
For the beer lovers, the Heineken brewery.
Billboard for the master works exhibit at the Rijks Museum.
It took about 30 minutes to make it through the line up of tourists at the Rijks Museum. If you want to go, consider an e-ticket purchased online.
One of many painted elephants around the city.
Ahhhhh, psychadelic elephant attacking Van Gogh museum.
Another Amsterdam elephant.
Lisa and Michelle near the Van Gogh museum and within attack range of painted elephants.
Raymond the elephant was gentle and considerate.
M is for Michelle.
Kids playing with terd (Dutch for turd). How many words can one derive from the letters in Amsterdam?
Raadhuiss Straat; pretty busy with peeps.
The church near Anne Frank House.
Waiting in line at Anne Frank House.
Ah yes, the age-old art of sign vandalization lives on in Amsterdam; no, Lisa was not the perpetrator.
Nearly back at the abode for a rest, but surely another canal photo wouldn't hurt.
Amsterdam Muziektheater.
Benedict de Spinoza. Someone who had interesting ideas apparently.
Oh god, Michelle is going to want to stop here everyday until we leave.
It's not delivery, it's Dr. Oetker! After yesterday's blog post we headed out at 10pm for some food. Pickings were slim so we went with some pretty run of the mill pizza in one of the bar areas.
mmmm… puccini is probably the best chocolate I have ever had. The dark chocolate/cinnamon bombini was delightful and the size of them makes it very easy to share. I was saddened to learn that they are only good for about 7 days, making it virtually impossible to bring some home to share. Thanks for the great post K
That was my first thought…”Hmmm, maybe she will bring me some puccini?”
I am becoming a blog slut, checking the blog before I even check my email, blogging instead of doing my school work. Its pretty easy to do anything besides school work.
Super photos, so fun to enjoy them while you are there experiencing it!
Hope you guys have another great day tomorrow
Surely they have a Fedex/UPS in amsterdam??? A little puccini love to your friends at home??
I am loving this blog posting, I feel like I am right there with you, except I’m not I’m here… at home instead….I agree surely there is a way to get some of that chocolate home to your beloved friends.
Did any of you “Baby-boom shadow”, GEN X, GEN Y or whatever people consider that 2 week old Puccini might actually taste better then hot out of the chocolate machine Coffee Crisp??? Huhhh did ja!
You do have another cuilinerie winner close at hand BEER. Yes, beer. When in Dublin visit Guinesse. Drink beer. When in Amsterdam. Visit the brewery and have a Heini. A travellers must.
We (both sides of my personality, Di & Ji) love this blog. It is a fine inexpensive vacation for those of us who read and watch.
Best. DiJi.
My apologies for your shallow blog readers. Surrounded by Rembrandt, Vermeer, architecture etc. and they obsess about “puccini”. Photos and commentary are fantastic. You don’t have an address for that cinema do you? What is the male version of a blog slut????
Thanks for the GREAT pictures and the commentary is tooooooo funny. The comments are great too. Love reading this at the end of the day! Great picture by Shelley as well! But comes in second to the kids playing with the turd!
I am significantly culturally challenged as well. The puccini pics. were the most significant part of the day for me as well!
Well, we have painted whales and eagles in Hongcouver! Live on Puccini! (and DNTO – definitely not the opera) But I am digging the architecture shots.