The last stop on our grand tour was the Dutch
capital of Amsterdam. Many of our friends had recently visited the ‘dam, so we
were anticipating cooler temperatures, insane nightlife, and handsome Dutch
demigods at every turn.
In reality, it was over 90 degrees each day were there,
and most bars close around 1am. We still enjoyed out time in the city, and here
is a round-up of places worth checking out: 
The Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk is one of the three popular museums
at Museumplein (along with the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum). I like contemporary
art, and there was a Matisse exhibition going on, so I opted to check that out
while J & E went to Van Gogh. The Stedelijk has this quirky, bathtub shape,
and is located next to the Van Gogh museum. I really enjoyed “The Oasis of
Matisse”, especially how you could journey through the many phases of his
career. Matisse spent many decades seeking inspiration in Nice, and having just
come from there, I was able to detect elements of the region in his works.
Also, Keti Koti (a Surinamese festival celebrating independence from the Dutch) was going on at Museumplein.
Anne Frank House
Another site we were looking forward to seeing was
the Anne Frank house/museum. We passed by there our first day in the city, only
to find the line wrapped around the corner and down the street (which was
pretty impressive, considering it was 92 degrees out). Later, we tried to go
online and book tickets, but they were sold out for all of July… and August. I’ve
heard mixed things about the Anne Frank house, but still wish I had the chance
to experience it for myself. If you’re super keen on visiting the site, I recommend
booking your tickets WAY in advance.
Bloemenmarkt
Bloemenmarkt is Amsterdam’s famous floating
flower market. Here, you can find all types of flowers and purchase tulips for
your own garden. Even if you’re not much of a gardener, there are a few
souvenir shops that sell a variety of beautiful hand-painted wooden tulips, and
they have deals where you can create a “bouquet” complete with a vase to take
home – a great souvenir for any flower-lover in your life.
Black Bikes
Cycling is a must in Amsterdam, especially if
you’re lucking enough to be there during a heatwave (jokes). On a serious note,
it is a truly fast and authentic way to get around the city. We rented bikes at
a spot nearby our hostel, wandered around the city with the hopes of making our
way back to Museumplein. One thing worth noting is it is there is no “slow lane”…
i.e. people who are trying to get places will zip by you on their bikes/mopeds.
So, it’s best to have a general idea of where you are headed so you don’t have
to stop every five minutes, or just have an open mind and roam the city.
 |
| #notmybike |
 |
| Photographic proof I locked up my bike -- better safe than sorry |
Sex Museum
Located on Damrak, the Sex Museum is exactly
what you’d expect: a museum about sex. There are some interesting facts and entertaining
displays, including a scary pop-out mannequin with his netherlands out. It’s nothing to call home about, but if you have 30 minutes to spare
or an immature sense of humor, it’s worth popping in. Also, I’ve heard it’s an
entertaining activity for after you’ve enjoyed a delicious cappuccino at the
nearby 420 café.
The Winston
We stayed at the Winston, in the red light
district. Overall, we were really happy with our experience at the hostel.
There was a free breakfast every morning from 8-10am that was quite filling.
There is Belushi’s bar and restaurant on the first floor, and the Winston
Kingdom nightclub is next door. You get discounts at the bar for staying at the
hostel, and also reduced entry into the club. Despite all the commotion
downstairs, we were on the second floor and had no issues getting shuteye. If
you’re looking for a great hostel in the heart of Amsterdam’s nightlife, the
Winston is the perfect spot.
 |
| Our trippy abode |
Sadly, some food-borne illness prevented me from exploring all of Amsterdam's culinary delights; however, I did take some Gouda home and it's been DELICIOUS. Amsterdam is a unique city, and I am glad we were able to spend a few days there.
No comments