Monday, April 5, 2010

Amsterdam dam dam dam!


























(click to enlarge)

We just returned from Spring Break, spent four days in Amsterdam. The city was easy to get around, we took the tram and walked everywhere. The first day we visited the Anne Frank House, that was interesting and sad at the same time after that we walked around and had lunch at the famous Pancake House.It was delish and I could have had seconds. Did some shopping and found some beautiful Delft pottery , I fell in love with it all. So beautiful and love the blue and white. We took a canal cruise through the city it was really cool way to see all the houses along the river and house boats. Some of the canal's were so narrow I can't believe we fit through. Afterwards we walked some more, the streets were filled with locals and tourist and the air was filled with the smell of pot. We were just wondering around taking in everything around us and one wrong turn ended us in the Red Light District. Poor Katelyn between the Pot smell and girls in the windows waving I thought she was going to vomit! Not sure if we will win parents of the year but she certainly gained an education this trip. Had a wonderful Italian meal and some yummy tasting wine. Great first day lots of laughs.

Second day we visited the Van Gogh Museum, loved it but it was very crowded.  Next we were off for more educational tours, Heineken brewery of coarse. It was really interesting and fun, something different. Katelyn was the only teen on the tour! Again parents of the year! They give you a wrist band depending on your drinking age so she did not enjoy the best beer in Holland. We had really good food, wine and beer the whole trip.

 Our last day we spent at the Keukenhof Gardens, it was amazing. We were a little early for all the tulips in the fields but the grounds were covered in tulips,crocuses,hyacinths and daffodils. Water fountains and statues of all kinds. It was also Katelyn's sweet 16 birthday that day, wasn't exactly how I think she pictured her 16th would be. I think she has visions of MTV my super sweet 16. But hey she got tulips, windmills, second hand pot smell, art, history, culture shock what more can a girl ask for? A repeat according to her!!!

If you ever get a chance to go to Holland do, it is as beautiful as you can imagine!

23 comments:

Liz Mays said...

That is definitely a place I would love to visit! Very much so!

Sonya said...

YAY Im so glad you liked it here..The Anne frank house was amzing wasnt it. To actually walk in there and the steps leading up to their place was so narrow and loud..I can only imagine how scarey that day must of been when they heard them walking up.

Amsterdam is a great place to visit for sure..it's way more expat friendly but thats largely due to it's size and the fact that it gets so many tourists. Im also inlove with the blue and white patterns! I went to the museum aswell and it was crowded but I loved it.

Im heading to Keukenhof at the end of the month!

Sneaker Teacher said...

Sounds like a fun trip! I think we are going to Amsterdam in May. We have a 4 day weekend so we are going to visit our friends from Portland who live there now.

Andrea said...

Thanks for the glimpse into your trip. Maybe one day...
Hugs, andrea

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Sounds great and the Dutch are traditionally big friends of the British.

Local Girl said...

That sounds like a wonderful trip, I've never been but I'd love to see the tulip fields they always look stunning in the photos. Happy Easter x

Ronda said...

It sounds like a wonderful trip! I would love to visit Amsterdam. Welcome home. Now time to get ready for your next trip! How exciting for you!
XOXO

Barrett said...

You mentioning the Red LIght District brings back some memories for me. I walked through it with my parents a couple of years ago. They were in shock!

I really wanted to tour Anne Frank House, but we just didn't have enough time.

Shady Lady said...

When I was 20, I worked for TWA Getaway Vacations. I went on this crazy, whirlwind 8 day tour that included Amsterdam. By the time we got to Amsterdam it was night and we left the next morning. I saw nothing. I so have to go back.

Nancy C said...

With the possible exception of the Red Light District, this sounds amazing! What an experience!

Unspoken said...

I'd never pass that up!

m. said...

Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I'm a little jealous that my sweet 16 wasn't celebrated in Amsterdam!

Kristina P. said...

My friend served his mission there.

And all the dumb drug addict kids I work with all talk about how they want to move to Amsterdam. They don't even know where it is.

Kwana said...

Fun. You are great parents. What an adventure. Happy Sweet 16 to your sweet girl.

Joyce said...

Sounds like a great experience even the wrong turn. xo

PS Kathy wouldn't it be a hoot if you wore your special dress to pick Prep?!

Melissa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jp said...

HOW COOL!!! I would love to visit, nice pics, hope you all had a blast!

Marla said...

We can hardly wait to make the trip.

Traci said...

This is soooo on my list. And think of it this way -- you were showing her what NOT to do. LOL!
:-)
Traci

G in Berlin said...

I'm off to the Keukenhof tomorrow, so I'm glad you had a good time.

Claudya Martinez said...

If I'm ever in the neighborhood, I'll be sure to stop by.

Killara girl said...

what fun, love your collage. i didn't know anne franks house was there...i missed it!!! never did do too much touristing.

TBM said...

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag, Katelyn!

It sounds like you had a fun filled trip :-)