Amsterdam, Part Two

After grabbing breakfast at the hotel, we hit the streets again! This time we headed down to the Van Gogh Museum. We were smart and bought a two in one ticket at the Rijksmuseum, so we were able to avoid the (very long) queue and walk right in!

It was an interesting museum and there is no doubting that the man had talent, but I must admit he is not my favourite painter. There were a few standouts though. One painting of his bedroom and another of a Japanese bridge - I thought both of those were quite cool.

We then all decided it was time to hit a "coffee shop". So we first tried Dampkring (as featured in Oceans Twelve), but it was way too busy, so we then headed to Abraxas. It was quite trendy and definitely catered to a younger more hip scene, but we went in anyway. Not being a smoker myself, I just had a Brownie (like Kearns). Tamsin was a bit more adventurous and tried a mint tea (with weed of course). Claire just sat back laughing at us!

Anyway, after we finished we went and had a drink in the Nieuwmarkt and that is when the Brownie hit me (and Kearns as well!). So rather then make fools of ourselves we headed back to the hotel to have a nap (and very strange dreams!).

Afterwards we headed to a funky restaurant for dinner. Ben was still feeling the effects of the Brownie, so he was not very interactive, but the rest of us all enjoyed it! Ben then headed back to the hotel while Claire, Tamsin and I went and had Pannekoeken and a drink to round off the day!

The next day we decided to leave the city and head to Haarlem for a look around. Before any of you get too worried (Mum!) this Haarlem is considerably safer then its namesake in New York. Anyway, after a quick train ride we were walking around the small town. It was typically Dutch - noone closes the curtains in the windows and noone cares if you look in - and being a beautiful day it was nice to just wander around.

After having a coffee at a great place over looking one of the canals we headed into an old (well so we thought) Dutch Windmill to look around. Unfortunately it was just built to look traditional, it was in fact only four years old, but then there was an old windmill on the site before that, so I guess it is okay.

Anyway, we got a tour from a guy who knew way too much about windmills, but he was still interesting to listen to. It took close to two hours, and unfortunately I have forgotten most of what I learnt, but if you are ever in Haarlem the windmill tour and recommended!

We headed back to the city centre for a late lunch and a carnival had popped up in the four hours since we had been there! So while it was noisy, it was nice to sit back and soak up the atmosphere!

We then jumped on the train and headed back to the city. The weekend was catching up with us, so we went and had a drink and then a nap before heading out to a dutch restaurant - De Roode Leeuw (Red Lion) for dinner. Tamsin made up some story about wanting to take some photos around the red light district (although I think that was just an excuse to go back there!) so we headed over there before heading back to the hotel!



More Canals


Haarlem


Haarlem


The Windmill


More Windmill


Carnival Rides!


Carnival Rides!