AMSTERDAM

During our stay in Amsterdam, the temperature was around 9 to 12 C with showers on and off most of the days. Though we were not use to such uncomfortable weather condition,  we managed to visit some of the places we planned to see.   

According to the guide book, there are more than one hundred kilometers of canals in Amsterdam, along with about 1,500 bridges.

One of the retractable bridges for boats to cruise through.

I was a bit confused initially as all the canals, bridges and streets looked alike at a glance.

  A city with many unique buildings.

There are many historical buildings around. This Landmark Hirsch building is one of the historic preservation.

The most fashionable urban boutique hotel - the Park Hotel in Amsterdam

 One of the oldest way for a ride in the city.

Trams provide the best way to get around Amsterdam and they run regularly until  midnight.

This Rijks museum is the largest museum in the Netherlands with a collection of a journey through Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages and Renaissance until the 20th century.   Each year, they have more than a million visitors.   

   As we came closer to the museum.

There are many cyclists in the city. I believed it is one of the main modes of transportation in Amsterdam. I noticed that bicycle riders have their own roadways, signs, traffic signals, and have the right of way in many situations. 

Cars have to make way for riders when they were in the bicycle lane.

Many of the designated bicycle parking like this one can be seen in the city.

  
We also visited the Waterlooplein Flea market. This outdoor bazaar has almost everything for sale, from second hand clothing to food, flowers and all sorts of merchandizes. Traditionally it is the oldest and most interesting market of Amsterdam,

A cheese stall. 

Home made chocolates

Colourful traditional wooden shoes.

End of the market place.
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 We had lunch in the a Dutch caf'e consisted mainly sandwiches and burgers.

It's 10 EUR for this burger set with coffee.

My choice was this 13.5 EUR all day breakfast.

 

A typical Dutch burger-white coffee set - the beef was almost raw!

Amsterdam is a beautiful city with a lot of attractions. Dutch people are very friendly and they speak English. We planned to visit the "Keukenhof Gardens" for the tulips on our last day.