Amsterdam, Dec 2018

Just before Christmas in 2018 we went to Amsterdam in Holland. We stayed at the Best Western Delphi Hotel just outside the city centre and we got an upgraded room. Nice. The hotel is located on Apollo Road and it was easy to get the tram to the city centre.

Click each photo to enlarge

Amsterdam, Dec 2018

Amsterdam is famous for many things including its canals, bridges and old houses. This is the famous bridge on the corner between Leidsegracht and Keizersgracht

We decided to take a boat tour on the canals. It's a great way of getting around with no hazzle, and it's easy to hop on and hop off.

Amsterdam, Dec 2018

We passed the famous Magere Brug - the Skinny Bridge.

Roger told the skipper that he knows all about maneuvering boats and ferries. So when we approached the quay and the skipper needed to fasten the robe, Roger took over operating the rudder...

Amsterdam, Dec 2018

After the canal tour we went to Starbucks for coffee. It's was nearly Christmas and very cosy.

Here we are in front of the Koninklijk Paleis - the Royal Palace in the city centre.

In the evening we had a look at all the things we bought during the day. Holland is famous for its approach to... cannabis. We decided to give a go ahead to cannabis chocolate...

Amsterdam, Dec 2018

Amsterdam is also famous for its thousands of bicycles - or perhaps millions - and Holland is famous for its wooden shoes. Here's a cargo bike with the cargo container shaped as a wooden shoe...
"Do they come in bear size?" Roger wanted to know. "We could use one at home so McBear could get some exercise..."

Amsterdam has a million museums - well, it feels like a million! It's great because there is always something you can go and see. Among must see museums are Anne Frank's House, the diamond museum and the other museums at the Museum Quarter. We went to see the Hermitage Amsterdam with all its fantastic paintings.

Amsterdam, Dec 2018

Much too soon our extended weekend ended. We got the train to the Schipol International Airport and waited in the lounge for our Aer Lingus flight back to Dublin.