After recently passing an exam I thought I deserved a reward, so I treated myself to a weekend in Amsterdam. I arrived by train Friday night after spending my week in Apeldoorn for work. I picked a hotel close to the Centraal Station so that I wouldn't have to haul my luggage or myself too far after the long week. If you collect Hilton points I would recommend the Double Tree Hilton, next to the station. It wasn't as nice as the Park Hotel, where I stayed last time, but it was a standard Double Tree. After a quick shower and clothes change I hit the town for dinner. As it was getting late, 9ish, I ended up just grabbing a Pizza near the hotel. Afterwards I strolled south along the Damrak to city hall. On my way back to the hotel I walked through the red light district where I stopped in at a little Jamaican pub for a couple drinks.
Waking up Saturday morning I had a massive western breakfast! my American friends who travel internationally know what I mean. Eggs, bacon, sausage, real orange juice, fresh fruit, etc. All the American fixings versus the cold meats, cheese, and bread that dominate most European breakfasts. I enjoy that as well but sometimes a guy just wants some biscuits with sausage gravy! After eating too much, I stashing a few to-go snacks in my bag and was off.
Having been to Amsterdam once before I elected to rent a bike instead of walking and taking the tram to get around. It was a great idea as I was able to see and do a lot more. I headed to the opposite end of town to start with where I visited the Rijk Museum. After some time there I pedaled through a couple parks and along at least a half dozen parks before stopping for lunch. After lunch I did the new Rick Steves walking tour of Amsterdam. Not having done a self-guided walk of the city before I did find a couple new and interesting places. The flower markets and a quiet courtyard where poorly Christian women could live were two of the new ones I liked. I worked up an appetite with all the cycling and walking I had so I stopped for a traditional dutch snack, as recommended by Steve, smoked eel... not good. I was happy to find some Patates (fries) with mayo, also a Dutch treat, a few meters further down the street. I spent the rest of Saturday wandering around nearish to the hotel. I checked out the new Nemo museum and the tall ships nearby.
Sunday morning was basically: wake up, shower, breakfast, train station, and airport. After a short flight I was back in the UK and home in Cheltenham by early afternoon. Can't wait for my ski trip to Austria next weekend!
