Having found our feet in Amsterdam we were
keen to really delve into history and attractions that the city had to offer.
Yesterday we had looked enviously at the sun seekers lounging on their boats,
with not a care in the world, so as the sun was still shining; we decided two
could play at that game.
All aboard!
We floated down the many canals of
Amsterdam on an open top tour cruise, listening as our guide explained to us so
many of the buildings we had seen the day before.
In Amsterdam there are strict regulations
of building work and modification of properties. Because the buildings are so
old and of a certain design, and rework is frowned upon, and is extremely hard
to get approval from. This also includes the inside too, so no crazy glass
walls or trampoline floors, Cribs USA style!
Also because Amsterdam is so flat, the land
is very susceptible to flooding, and so the land pressure is a carefully
controlled science, so new housing is rarely built. This has meant there is a
shortage of properties. However one thing they are not short on are canals, and
so the residents have taken to the water.
These canal boats are permanent fixed
residents, with water, electricity and gas. They have an address and post is
delivered to them. So of them don’t even look like boats, but more like chalets
on water.
After our taking the weight off our feet
for a couple of hours we were back on the road, and feeling inspired to see the
hot spots of Amsterdam, there was only one place on our minds. I AMsterdam.
Situated behind the Rijksmuseum, the
large 3D I AMsterdam sculpture is an icon and of course a sought after photo
opportunity. Always the ready photographer I was keen to capture the moment...
along with about a hundred other people. Every which way people were on it, around
it, in front of it, making getting a decent shot much harder than I imagined.
Plus a pesky fountain stands in the way of
getting a full width shot. Better start saving for a wide angle lens then.
Now I’m known for sometimes still being a
bit of child, so seeing little kids cast off their shoes and dive into the
fountain, I decided to follow my inner child.
Well, why do they get all of the fun?
Isn't this the coolest house art you have seen?
There was one thing about Amsterdam that
both me and Nessa were disappointed in, and that was the food, or lack of it.
As Amsterdam is such a tourist destination every single outlet is a burger
joint, pizza place or steakhouse. There isn’t really a Dutch cuisine. Being
such a foodie, this was really disappointing as I consider it my hobby eating
out at unusual and unique places.
However while it wasn’t the authentic Dutch
cuisine we so desperately sort, we stumbled upon the most gorgeous Middle
Eastern cafe. Located in a converted church, Bazar served authentic Middle Eastern
food, which was a feast for the eyes as well as the belly.
We both opted for the Lahmacun Turkish
Pizza (Saved on food envy) which topped with finely chopped veal mixed with
fresh tomato sauce, Middle Eastern spices, Kashkaval cheese and with a mint
yogurt dip.
I’ve always loved Middle Eastern food,
having gained a love for it from the many street food stalls dotted around
London. If you have never tried any type of Middle Eastern I seriously
recommend you get your butt over to the nearest stall, you haven’t lived until
you’ve had Yumurtalı ekmek which is a sort of French toast.
Now having said previously that Amsterdam
was a misunderstood city because everyone thinks that it is just Sex and drugs,
well I still stand by that, however I cannot deny that Amsterdam does have that
side to it. We all know about the Red Light District and its tolerance to prostitution.
Now while me and Nessa are hardly going to go down that route, we were curious
to see a little more ‘Adult’ Amsterdam. Well, when in Rome Amsterdam.
The Sex Museum is right on the busiest
street of Amsterdam, , just in front of the Central Train Station, so hardly
hiding down some seedy back street. And that is just it, nothing in Amsterdam
is seedy. I will admit I thought I’d have genitals thrust in my face (pun
totally intended) yet there is no of that, it is absolutely discrete, you could
pass on by without ever really coming into contact with Sex and Drugs- OK, minus
the sign for the Sex Museum that is.
Now I’m afraid there are no pictures as one,
I didn’t take any and two I defiantly couldn’t have out any up. I would be shut
down in a flash! Let’s just say you have to go in with an open mind, and not be
prudish in the slightest. I said it was discrete... on the outside. Inside is
another ball game.
However never one to leave you in the dark here is a cheeky snap. Don’t say I don’t treat you.
Feeling a little wide eyed and stunned, we
defiantly needed a strong one! In the few days I had to prepare for Amsterdam I
had heard of this little cocktail bar called Hiding in Plain Sight. It has a
reputation of being one of the best cocktail bars in Europe. Well with that
reputation I had to try it for myself.
It is a tiny little bar, hidden rather in a
quiet, suburban part of town; an odd place for a bar, but then this was no
commercial tourist dive. This was pure cocktail mastery. No fluffy fruit punch
to be found here. Only the good stuff.
The menu was as cheeky as it was it was
difficult to choose. However having chosen our tipples we were both extremely
pleased. Strong, dark and classic. No messing. I can see why it has gained a reputation.
Hiding in Plain Sight was good.
If not a little off beat... Serrano ham anyone?
Finally having a little Dutch courage (Man
I am on FIRE with these puns today) we decided to pay a visit to the one and
only Red Light District. Now again, no photos are it is strictly prohibited to
take photos of the girls, however I will again leave you with a lingering shot
of down the street.
Was it what you expected?


Thanks for you comment - I've just found your blog and love it already.
ReplyDeleteThis just looks like the best trip ever!!
I'm pretty jealous :)
You take amazing photo's, i'm so bad at photo's!!
Kelly || DayDreamsDaisyChains.com
Oh I am so pleased you love it! :)
DeleteI would whole heartily recomend Amsterdam to anyone.
Oh thanks, and you are not terrible at all. Trust me I've only gotten better with lots of practice and after taking lots of terrible pictures too! xx
those cocktails look mental!! The weed out there isnt chemical crap like it is over here too so your mind isnt all mental. I love the last picture too it's not seedy at all i think the legality of it makes it alot safer!
ReplyDeletexx
The cocktails were lovely. I don't do drugs, so I can't personally comment, but I can imagine that being the case. x
DeleteThe place looks amazing I wish I was there and you look stylish and beautiful enjoying yourself.
ReplyDeletehttp://tifi11@blogspot.com
weirdest comment BUT you have really nice eyebrows, haha! xx
ReplyDeleteNot at all. In fact I loved this comment. I love my eyebrows, but there not to everyone's taste, so the fact that you like them is music to my ears :) xx
DeleteLoved the post Hun, you d made me really want to visit x
ReplyDeleteI lived in Amsterdam in 2000, so this was a nice blast from the past! It took me a month to find a decent place (and I paid through the nose for it) and move out of corporate accommodation.
ReplyDeleteIs the diamond-replica of Van Gogh's sunflowers still on display in the diamond exchange across from the Van Gogh Museum? I used to love standing in front of it, staring at all the canary yellow diamonds...
If you ever go back, I recommend L'Express Restaurant on Utrechtsestraat. Not Dutch food, but a fabulous little Franco-Belgian restaurant. Some friends of mine went there in February this year after I recommended it, and said it was amazing. I was chuffed to hear it was still good!
Really? I hope I did your city justice!
DeleteI didn't actually go to the Van Gogh, so I'm not sure, but that sounds stunning. There were so many other things I wanted to do, but just didn't have time. Might mean another trip soon then... ha
Oh I wish I had heard about this place before, Franco- Belgian sounds lovely. :) xx
Amsterdam looks so lovely! It is such a shame that it has that reputation for those two things, i personally would never have thought to go here but after reading you're post i have changed my mind! Fab post and lovely blog :) xx
ReplyDeleteClaire does beauty
Yeah it was so funny, because I had no interest really, as I thought it had this 'reputation', so it was Nessa who suggeted we go, but I'm glad she did.
DeleteI think the biggest change was my mums mind, seeing my pictures, she was like, Oh, its nice!
aw wish I'd heard of hiding in plain sight before I went to the Dam. Loving your photos and tales! x
ReplyDeleteYou really seem to have got the most out of your time in Amsterdam! :)
ReplyDeletewww.gingerbreadsmiles.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for stopping by my blog hun :) I've followed yours. Stay in touch xx
ReplyDeletewww.polkadotsnw.blogspot.com
Great post! This looks good, Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBrittany, xx
http://polkaanddots.blogspot.co.uk/
I adore amsterdam its one of the prettiest places and the people are lovely, also how good is the food!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time, ive followed you! Have a browse over at my blog @
http://sophie-henderson.blogspot.co.uk
xx
After reading both of your posts I want to go to Amsterdam! I love your photos especially those of you paddling. Those cocktails....wow!
ReplyDeleteEm
Em’s Mixed Bag
So funny to read this blog post as I am from Amsterdam. It feels like seeing the city I bike through every day (and know so well) through a tourist's eyes. And I mean this in a funny & positive way! I'm happy you enjoyed your visit!
ReplyDeleteReally? Oh I hope I did your city proud! I thoroughly enjoyed your city :) Thanks for having me! :) x
DeleteYour photos are awesome! I'm going to Amsterdam in January! I'm excited! x
ReplyDeleteThat food looks so good!
ReplyDeletehttp://golddustk.blogspot.co.uk/
x