730 days: Canal City

The first city of my travels was Amsterdam. Headed off on the Eurostar with Todd early Thursday morning. Was a bit of a running start as we found out our seats had been double booked and we had to sprint down the platform to a free carriage with only minutes to spare! Arrived in Amsterdam in the afternoon, and had a wander round the city. Found a local cheese shop which gave you tasters, their grilled Gouda was amazing! Stumbled across the flower market along the canal, found the main Dom square with an elegant town hall. Learnt very quickly to stay out of the bike lanes - everyone cycles, and they move so fast! They also have right of way, so you will be knocked down if your standing in the wrong place! Enjoyed a yummy dinner and found some waffles with caramel in the middle at a corner stores on our way home - heaven!

Day two the weather was a bit average so we headed to the Amsterdam museum. Had a very interesting exhibit on the history of Amsterdam. Incredible that the hole city is built on stilts, and you can see some of the buildings starting to sway to one side. This happens when the foundation poles come above the water level and start to degrade with oxygen - not so good! Afterwards we jumped aboard a canal boat cruse to get a different perspective of the city. An amazing maze of canals, with the gorgeous roofed houses stacked together. The guide pointed out the smallest house on the canal which was 1.5m wide! Not much room for your bed or much else! After our boat trip we wandered across to the Jordaan district in the west of the city, which has all sorts of boutique shops. To
dd managed to find a sweet shop on his quest for salty liquorice - not quite my cup of tea! Then after the legs gave up, enjoyed a wine and delicious steak at one of the squares 'Leidse Plein'

Saturday I found some Dutch pancakes for breakfast - bit heavier than the usual with icing sugar and syrup - yummy yum. Then Todd had to head back to London, so after sending him on his way and checking into my hostel I cruised into town and found some of the local markets with everything from produce to clothing. Finished of the evening by going to Anne Franks house in an attempt to avoid the que. Was still a 45 minute wait, but well worth it. They have made a modern museum in the house next to it, but it takes you through the original house and where they were hiding.

Sunday was my last day in Amsterdam. I found the Bernhof monastery which is an internal square closed in the centre of the city, with a very peaceful atmosphere, and a gorgeous old chapel. Then it was off to catch my first overnight train to Berlin. Quite and experience with 6 people in the space of two bunks stacked three high! So it was goodbye to Amsterdam, a beautiful city, definitely worth a visit.