Europe 2014: Amsterdam 3 nights before train to Cologne

Monday 12th May 2014

Disembarked the ferry at 7:45am and managed to get off before 100s of Indians on tour. Had a bit of a hiccup at the border with a pedantic Dutch border guard who wanted to see evidence of every flight/ferry and some hotels we have booked and then proceeded to add up every day we will be in the 'Schengen Zone' of Europe. He got to 110 days, well over the 90 days we are allowed. Fortunately we were certain about our scheduling (and luckily hadn't tried to fudge any dates despite the internet suggesting no border guard was likely to add up the days too carefully) so were able to remain relaxed until the guard realised he hadn't deducted our time in Croatia which is outside of the 'zone'. Finally we were in The Netherlands and we hurried to the train station.

Our hotel for next trip

We just snuck onto the 8:11am train but then after going for 40 minutes there was a problem with a crash on the line and the train couldn't continue so we had to swap lines and eventually ended up at the airport before getting back into Amsterdam Central at 10:15am. We caught a tram to Irene's AirBnB place and she showed us through our artists studio that will be our home for 3 nights.

Irene has her woven artworks on the walls and it is a lovely little flat with garden right to the door. Irene has 2 annual museum passes here so we went to the Van Gogh museum which is usually 15 Euros. It was great along with the work of Felix Vallotton.

Went on a canal cruise for 75 minutes 15 Euros which was very interesting. Found a supermarket to stock up on fruit etc.

Just love Amsterdam it is such a fantastic city. The canals, the bikes (nearly got Sandy a few times) which have their own lanes on the footpaths, the people, the amazing buildings and houses, it is just super.

Palladium cafe for lunch, Gollem's Proefiokaal pub dinner with trivia night in Dutch and 50 beers on tap.

Tuesday 13th May 2014

Visited the Rijksmuseum which was amazing and must be the best museum in the world. Well worth the 15 Euros but we were free on the museum passes of Irene's.

Rijksmuseum in the background

Walked to the floating flower market and through the red light district. Considered going to Anne Frank's House which was also free on our museum pass but even at 6pm the waiting time in the queue was over an hour long. Walked through Jordaan area and then home.

Had a great Indonesian meal at Kartika called a rice table which was 11 dishes brought out all at once on a long heated platform.

Wednesday 14th May 2014

Took the tram to Central Station and then visited St Nicolas Church which is very impressive. Then took the tram to the Jewish Museum which we entered for free with Irene's cards. At 9 Euros it would have been expensive.

Walked through a market and past the Icebar where they serve the drinks in a minus 10 degree bar in glasses made of ice and then to Rembrandt Square. Walked home via Vondel Park. Had dinner at the Seafood Bar which was great value.

Thursday 15th May 2014

Left Amsterdam on 10:34am train for Cologne. Cracked 200km/h a few times.