Itinerary getting very clogged
Sun doesn't rise until 8.50, Bryn and I trying and failing to understand the daylight saving plus CET time zoning. We were out in the dark grabbing a taxi to nearby Schotterbos Parkrun. In a proper park, winding paths, and lots of back and forth, but lovely environment. The marshalls super welcoming, perhaps the friendliest international parkrun we have done since Lismore, Australia. Stopped for a cuppa afterwards in local tennis club, the RD, British (of course) plenty of connections with Swansea and Newport so lots to talk about.
Bus back into Haarlem, change of clothes and then out to find the train station. Market day in Haarlem, but we were focused on the journey to the capital, a whole 20 minutes or so on the train. The entrance we took out of the station took us straight onto a sweeping river vista, and we got our bearings to navigate our way through the canals and into the city centre.
Cultural tourism here requires (?) a visit to the Red Light District (no photos for many obvious reasons) and taking in the local cafe aromas. We did this whilst drinking in the canals and some of the architecture of a city with modern and medieval history in abundance. We caught the tram down to Rembrandt Square, honoured the artist with a few beers watching Premiership football, eating Italian food (second good food choice of the trip), having a 'coffee' and then seeing Carys unleashing her latent skate talent on the world. (he was a bit of a boy by all accounts so perhaps a reasonable tribute)
We floated back toward the station via tram and foot, and then an easy return trip to Haarlem, Chrissi and I enjoyed a cocktail nightcap in a swanky bar, the kids preferring to eat crisps and biscuits in their room. We then got back to eat crisps and biscuits in our room.
Footnote today and key observation from several bars/cafes/restaurants we have now frequented in the Netherlands - the stairs to the toilets (up or down) always seem very steep! That's the level we are operating on here, I did say this was likely to the blog lite, will try and up my game in 2024.
Great Clog pun in the title, it just had to be done!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have had a great day in Amsterdam, there really is nothing like walking around the city, with the canals acting like giant half-moon connections between places, so even if you are in a new place you can always get back to the centre easily.
I had a friend who tutored with me at the Open University who worked in Amsterdam and I visited his home when I was there 30 years or so ago - the houses have the same steep staircases as the cafes and bars - he told me that Amsterdam real estate was so expensive in the days when it was a bigger commercial centre than London, meant that land was premium priced, so building were built narrow and tall - you'll see this in the classic houses around the canals - hence the stair technology developed in a very different style from the English style which initially was created for large country houses, not for town houses.
yeah, we realised after a while the steepness not just reserved to the pubs and bars. Some of the stairwells in Anne Frank museum were a slight challenge, but nothing compared to what they had to endure obvs.
DeleteSounds like a great trip as usual you cram so much into a day Lovely to have a blog again
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the stairs in the restaurants and coffee shops, narrow and steep! Especially if a little worse for wear
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite cities. Been there numerous times. Enjoy the rest of you stay. It looks like you're enjoying it all.
ReplyDeleteWe found Amsterdam a lovely city. If you get a chance the Rijksmuseum is worth a visit and also Anne Frank house. We didn’t manage to get to the Van Gogh museum but I’m told that’s well worth visiting. Enjoy the remainder of your stay.
ReplyDeletecouldn't get into the former, but did manage the latter as you will see. We are getting better at booking things in advance, but not perfect!!
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