One main reason for choosing the hotel we were in last night and are in tonight is that there is a Metro station next door. We wanted to be able to get into Amsterdam easily by public transport. Centraal station is less than half an hour by train. We had booked a canal cruise, which was a nice relaxing way to start our sightseeing this morning. Lots of bridges (Venice has about 400 bridges and Amsterdam about 200), leaning buildings and decorated facards. As the buildings are squashed in, many slope out a bit at the top and have a pully under the gable to allow furniture to be lifted up or down and in or out of the buildings. There are many short term lets, especially for students, so apparently it is not unusual to see a couch coming past a window or down to the street.
Four doors to display
4 ladies’? wares
Amsterdam wasn’t quite what we expected. I think we were so taken with the smaller canals and simpler canal side buildings in Delft and Leiden that in comparison Amsterdam was a little disappointing. It was interesting though and we are pleased we went there. After wandering around the older part of Amsterdam, and the Red light district, we caught a tram for about 20 minutes which allowed us to see the “normal” parts of the city, but then we were into the suburbs. Off the tram and we caught a tram back towards Centraal, but stopped on the way at a lively little square where we had coffee and an early, light meal. Back on the tram to Centraal station, then train back to the hotel. As you’d expect, Amsterdam is a very busy city, people, trams and bicycles everywhere, lots of tourist boats on the canal and some cars.
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