Amsterdam 5-13
If you only have one day in the beautiful city of Amsterdam, there are two things that you must do. First we went to the famous Rijksmuseum, recently reopened after 13 years of restoration. Even if you’re not an art connoisseur, the works of Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Gogh and other masters will astound you with their amazing detail. What is fascinating about some of these paintings is that they were done before photography existed so they represent our only visual understanding of what people looked like, dressed like and did hundreds of years ago. Obviously, the museum is a very popular attraction so the usual crowds and lines were ever present, but once inside, that did not detract from the spectacular collection this world-famous museum contains.
The crowds and lines were ever present, but once inside, that did not detract from the spectacular collection of the Rijksmuseum.
There is a point of course, like eating chocolate, where you have had so much, no matter how good it is, you just can’t see anymore. Four hours was enough, and I think we were the last ones out the door. Back on the street, the second thing we had to do, or at least for Gary, was to re-experience one of the most popular dishes in town; fresh hot French fries in a cone with the big dollop of fresh mayonnaise dribbled over the top. He discovered this delicacy on his first visit to Amsterdam some 45 years ago and the tasty snack is still very popular.
As popular as it was 45 years ago, hot French fries with mayonnaise are still a local favorite.
No one in the world makes better French fries than the little snack shops scattered around the city of Amsterdam.
If you haven’t tried fresh hot French fries in a cone with the big dollop of fresh mayonnaise dribbled over the top, you haven’t been to Amsterdam.
We wandered around downtown, over the bridges and along the web of concentric canals that circle the city. There is the flower market with the selection of tulips Holland is known for. We loved the unique architecture of Dutch homes, narrow multistory brick buildings that often feature a pulley at the very top to lift furniture to the upper floors. Amsterdam is a very multicultural city so there are great restaurants to please any taste. We found good eats at the Asian Kitchen. Just before the rain clouds came, we managed to stop by the historic “Dam Square” a traditional meeting place for travelers from around the world. Gary had sat on the steps with his backpack back in 1969 in route to Afghanistan. Along the way, he caught the love of travel that he still has today. Amsterdam is clearly a city that must visited more than once.
We wandered around downtown, over the bridges and along the web of concentric canals that circle the city.
Holland is famous for tulips, but the flower market has much more to offer.
The Asian Kitchen’s friendly cooks prepared a spicy dinner for a reasonable price.
The Dam Square may be where Gary first caught the travel bug.
you got good taste: mayo is the only way to go with fries!