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This is a pretty common scene around Amsterdam. In order to get around more
quickly, Cheryl and I rented bikes while we were in town. We spent 85% of
the time appreciating the scenery...and the other 15% panicking for our lives
trying not to get plowed down by other bikes, cars, or trains.
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Bridges with cafes on them are also common scenes throughout Amsterdam. Around
early afternoon, these cafes become very crowded with people sitting out having
a drink and enjoying the weather.
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At night, many of the bridges and edges of the canals are lit with small lights.
Fortunately, our bikes were also equiped with lights that made it easier to
get around after dark. Surprisingly, it felt quite safe being out late at night.
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I like how this small boy is lost in his own world as he rides across
his reflection in the pond. The picture was taken in the reflecting
pool behind the Rijksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum contains Dutch art from
the 19th and 20th century.
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We took a train to Haarlem which is about
15 minutes outside of Amsterdam. In Haarlem we rented bikes to trek through
the tulip fields on our way to Keukenhof. The 20+ mile bike ride was a bit
aggressive since the only bikes we could rent were single-speed with pedal
brakes and seats that were less than comfortable. But the chance to get off
the main roads and pedal through the bulbfields made it well worth the sore
butts.
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Keukenhof is 70 acres of flower gardens that were set up in 1949 to show off
Dutch bulbs. There are over 7 million bulbs planted at Keukenhof. The time
period when we visited is the time when the bulbs are typically in full bloom.
Holland was just getting over the coldest April in 300 years so many of the
tulips were still waiting to bloom. Either way, the sights were incredible.
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These are examples of just some of the flowers that were blooming in
the Keukenhof gardens while we were there. It amazed me that we could smell the
flowers from miles away.
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I guess they were trying to kick the habbit. While walking along
one of the canals, I came upon a guy and girl who were tossing
some sort of plant into the canal. I got a bit closer and, sure
enough, it was marijuana. The neighborhood swans and ducks that
ate it up probably had no idea what hit them...and their buddies
probably had a pretty hard time trying to figure out why they
were swimming in circles.
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Another typical view along the canals in Amsterdam. The
difference is that I took this one in the Red Light District.
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This is the clock tower just around the corner from the Anne Frank
house. She talks about it in her diary as she could hear it ring.
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This is the bookshelf which concealed the secret door to
where Anne Frank, her family, and others hid when the Nazis
occupied the Netherlands. The house has now been turned
into a museum which allows you to walk around freely and
learn about their stay in hiding.
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A picture of me standing outside of the Anne Frank House. It
was recently rennovated to look as acurate as possible to what
it looked like during World War II.
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Along the streets there are several of these public toilets. They don't often
have the most pleasant smell, but I suppose it's better than the alternative
of using the canals.
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