Friday, September 20, 2013

Europe 2013 – Day 2

August 24th – Amsterdam

Weather – mostly overcast and mild during the day, with a light shower late in the day.

After a much needed good night's sleep, Margaret-Ann and John  set off for The National Monument in Dam Square to meet Terry, the Irish tour guide, for our 3 hour walking tour of old Amsterdam -- exceptionally, well done!

They did a little shopping on the way back to the hotel... including, a bottle of wine ... a great German Riesling for 6 euros!

Later in the afternoon they took a 75 minute canal cruise (originally planned for yesterday) on The Flying Dutchman, which was very relaxing. After the cruise they walked through Vondelpark (Amsterdam's most famous park -- a little like New York's Central Park) and ate a wonderful dinner at a small steakhouse just down the street from their hotel. The weather was great for walking around today -- around 23C and slightly overcast. It started to rain lightly as Margaret-Ann and John were walking back from Vondelpark.

Terry, the tour guide, took the fifth picture below just after going through the Red Light District. Notice that John has a bigger smile on his face than Margaret-Ann.

Roll the cursor over the pictures to read the captions. Click on a picture to enlarge it, then click on the back arrow button in the top left to return to the blog.

Amsterdam's Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) on the west side of Dam Square. August 24, 2013Amsterdam's National Monument on the east side of Dam Square. August 24, 2013Steeple of Amsterdam's 800 year old Oude Kerk. August 24, 2013Hand on breast sculpture just outside Amsterdam's Red Light District. August 24, 2013Margaret-Ann and John on a bridge over a canal just outside Amsterdam's Red Light District. August 24, 2013Looking down the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam's oldest canal, toward Sint Nicolaaskerk (St. Nicholas Church). August 24, 2013Amsterdam's Waag ("weigh house") is a 15th-century building in Nieuwmarkt Square - originally a city gate and part of the walls of Amsterdam, the building has also served as a guildhall, museum, fire station and anatomical theatre. August 24, 2014Amsterdam's East India House was the former headquarters of the once-powerful Dutch East India Company. August 24, 2013Statue in the secluded courtyard of Amsterdam's Begijnhof. August 24, 2013The wooden house (Houten Huys) at Begijnhof 34 is the oldest house in Amsterdam. Augusst 24, 2013Statue in the secluded courtyard of Amsterdam's Begijnhof. August 24, 2013Amsterdam's Tri X's, part of the City's Coat of Arms, symbolize fire, flood and the plague. August 24, 2013Amstterdam's busy Kalverstraat Street, a pedestrian mall with major shopping. August 24, 2013Amserdam's Munttoren ("Mint Tower") . August 24, 2013Statue of Rembrandt in Amsterdam's Rembrandtplein or Rembrandt Square. August 24, 2013Sightseeing boat on Amsterdam's Singelgracht in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. August 23, 2013A replica of the A replica of the "Amsterdam" - an 18th-century cargo ship of the Dutch East India Company moored in the IJ. August 24, 2013A heron in Amsterdam's Vondelpark. August24, 2013A house borderding Amsterdam's Vondelpark. August 24, 2013

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