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Amsterdam, Netherlands

We arrived in Amsterdam after a long 13 hr flight from Kuala Lumpur. I had misplaced our “no jet lag” pills when I did our final pack in KL so were also not feeling as bright as perhaps we could have, but in reality not that bad and not jet lagged – just a wee tired. My Chinese nausea pills are apparently also good for travel sickness and they did keep the nausea and other end at bay (thankfully). The plane was not as clean, tidy or comfortable as the leg from Auckland to KL, and accordingly Malaysian Airlines has now gone down in my esteem. I really don’t think its all it is cracked up to be and worth the extra money you are charged compared to some other airlines.

Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is well set out and we got through customs very quickly and efficiently. Our connecting train was underground in the airport which was also very convenient. First impressions of Europe – Amsterdam are cool air, tall Europeans, very friendly, quick to speak good English to you, and helpful. Incidentally when we were getting some warm clothes out of our bags at the airport we found the no jet lag pills. Oh well at least they will be there for the trip home (if I don’t misplace them again).

We managed the 3 changes of train, bus, and tram and a 5 min walk from the tram stop along a canal to our home for next 4 nights, a bed and breakfast. Paul our host is awesome, so friendly and professional. Maps, help sheets, suggestions and even Rick Steves’ guide books. Complimentary chocolate brownie bites and black current liquor (a dutch speciality) to enjoy at our leisure added to the warm welcome. The B&amp;B is in a lovely area where it is a 2km walk through Vondel park to town. There are plenty of shops and restaurants close by too.

We showered, had a coffee (great plunger roast also included) and headed off through the park to town to get some lunch. They have unusual ducks which look like a cross between a duck and a goose here and we saw some lovely cranes nesting. Heaps of people walking, running, biking out with children and dogs. Jovial people, a man even asked me for a kiss – yep still got it!

Our first view of Amsterdam city at other end of canal was striking. It’s edged by yes another canal and is postcard perfect with gables and Dutch architecture everywhere. Feeling seedy again we grabbed a Dutch Apple and Cinnamon pancake to share although Vern was quick to take photo of me tucking in to make out it was all mine. The other half of our lunch was a chicken soup at €4.90 and €8.9 for pancake.

One thing Rick Steves mentioned was BEWARE of the bicycles. OMG they whiz and zing at tremendous speed everywhere and on lanes that run next to pedestrian side walks so you have to be so careful not to get run over or walk in wrong spot. Add to that we still are thinking right hand rule! In all seriousness it’s a real hazard but at the same time very fascinating. Apparently there are about 600,000 bikes in Amsterdam!

Seediness settled we hopped on an obligatory canal cruise, which was awesome. Unfortunately it was impossible to get any decent shots due to cloudy glass and crowding, but no worries I will get them on our walkabouts later.

Amsterdam is really beautiful, and BIG. The canals and lovely buildings go on for blocks and blocks. We can’t wait to explore more. We walked the 2.5km back home a little worse for wear due to our big travel trip across the world, had a cuppa and headed local for a light but good genuine Italian pizza. We finally made it to bed very tired but happy at local time 9pm, which of course is 6 hr behind KL.

I am still a little sick and now have sinus after the flight but am managing with determination and panodol 🙂 Makes me thankful we are doing this as travel gets more challenging in some ways the older you get, might be a lot wiser but the body is not quite as resilient!

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