Amsterdam

Another train trip and we arrived in a wet and dreary Amsterdam. We stayed in a small hotel instead of airbnb for a change and they had the longest, steepest staircase I've ever seen. We bought some cheap dodgy umbrellas and headed out into the gloom. We were right in the centre of town and it was only a few minutes to the Red Light District. It's so weird seeing the prostitutes in the windows offering their services. Being mid-afternoon the girls working weren't exactly the cream of the crop.....

Next day the weather a bit better so we decided to go for a cycle through the countryside. We caught a train to Zaandam just north of Amsterdam and hired some bikes at the station for the bargain price of 5 euros per day. We rode from there to Zaanse Schans where there are traditional Dutch houses and windmills. Most of the way is either bike lanes or separate bike roads which makes it very easy to get around. Coming back into the wind was less fun on our single speed bikes and after 20km our fitness was waning. We were overtaken by a 90 year old woman at one stage which was slightly embarrassing, but I'll blame the bike.

Back in town we had a snack at Febo which is a brilliant fast food shop with little windows you put money into and get a little croquette or burger. I'm sure we took a few years off our lives but I think it was worth it.

Croquettes in little compartments at Febo

Another healthy snack

It was rainy and freezing again the next day so we headed to Anne Frank's house which was just around the corner from our hotel. It was ok, but I think they assumed that everyone who goes there has already read her diary so there wasn't much info available. Also at the display of the diary pages there was a miniscule sign in the corner that said something like "to preserve the diary the pages on display are copies of the original". hmmmm

Since it was miserable outside we were looking for something close-by and indoors to do so we went to the sex museum which was ridiculous. It had haunted-house style robots and stuff that pop out and flash you.

Museum display

Robot flasher

- Joe