Sunday, October 19, 2014

LAST DAYS IN AMSTERDAM

Sharon's sister arrived on the 16th so we did a little sight seeing that day to keep her awake.  We did let her rest for just a bit ( no sleeping, just sitting) and than went down the block to catch a canal boat. I ran ahead to the Anne Frank House to see what the line looked liked and determined we could do better so we hopped on the canal and had a leisurely hour tour.  

                                         

After introducing Sandra to Dutch Pancakes we we were walking back to the house and discovered a relatively short line for the Anne Frank House.  We took advantage or it and only spend an hour in line before gaining admittance.  


No pictures are allowed in the house and since almost everyone knows the story I'm not going to go into any detail except to say the house is not furnished as was the request of Otto Frank ( father) , the lone survivor of his family.  There is a model of the house as it looked with furnishings.  There are a number of exceprts from her diary on the walls and a number of short films and memorabilia in the various rooms. Who turned the family in is still unknown and the very sad ending is that the camp was liberated one month after Anne's death.  She died without knowing that her father was alive, she thought everyone had died.  

The next day we had reservations for the Van Gogh Museum.  We hopped a tram and headed that way early afternoon.  We were a bit early so passed the time just wandering around.


                                         


We went to the Van Gogh museum and again no pictures are allowed.  I didn't even bother taking a picture of the building - it's rather unimpressive.  They are builiding a new entrance however which is going to be beautiful.

We just walked around some more after spending a couple of hours in the museum and just by  chance we ended up at the floating flower market.  Lucky Sandra!


                                               



We caught a tram back to Central Station and since it was nearing the dinner hour we decided to eat at the floating Chinese Retaurant near the station - The Sea Palace.  It was a marvelous choice.  Beautiful restaurant, friendly and efficient service, and excellent food and wine choices.  Plus it's always so nice to eat where the view is of water.  


                                         


                                     



Leaving the restaurant we were talking and walking and missed our street home and ended up in the Red Light District.  I know, I said one trip there was enough but Sandra hadn't seen it so we walked around briefly.  There were some lovely street decorations up so I think Amsterdam is getting ready for Christmas.


                                         

Of course a few Red Lights - not Christmas decorations.



   Yup! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


The canals at night - so beautiful!


Saturday we had to show Sandra the market.  Sad to think it's our last visit.  It was such fun to go every Saturday - we never got tired of it!

Now with winter lots of stalls with furs!

Scarfs.
                                          

Of course cheese stalls galore.

Wonderful assortment of mushrooms!


  Beautiful organic produce!

Fun hats


Scarfs made of men's suit coat sleeves.

Purses out of jackets.

Wonderful breads!

Models of dutch buildings along with some delft tiles.

Flowers!

Our last night out we went to Pasta e Basta where we enjoyed pasta and music.  The waitresses all sing and  the music ranged from jazz and pop to opera.  They had a wonderful antipasti bar where you could help yourself and go back as many times as you wished.  ( I don't think three times is too many, do you?) The bar itself was a grand paino,  so fitting!



The restaurant was beautiful but too dark to really take pictures of any quality.


The antipasti "piano" bar. The menu consisted of 14 different pasta dishes and the table chooses three and the pasta's are served family style.

Some of the antipasti.  The best prosciutto and a veal and tuna dish that was to die for.  

It was a fun evening!











































1 comment :

  1. After all your posts from Amsterdam I've decided James and I need to go there. That market looks awesome. It's interesting to see that other parts of the world begin decorating for Christmas early too.

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