We parked our bikes in a very clever two-tier bike rack and found our way upstairs to the room we would share for two nights. It had everything we could need including an en-suite loo and a separate decent-sized shower room! We even had TWO electric sockets!!
Sleeping arrangements stayed the same and we were soon unpacked and showered, ready for adventure!
Just a short walk away was a small plaza with an Irish Bar which looked warm and welcoming, I think others had been before on prior trips. The main man there was called Stanley and even though it was late by the time we arrived he agreed to accept a food order, I'm not sure his kitchen staff felt the same!
We had a great meal, sitting on high stools around a tall table. The pub had great atmosphere and we chatted and ate for ages...
After we got back to the hostel we decided to go and get a drink in their own bar before bed, It was cheaper than being out and we girls got a jug of Tequila Sunrise between us!! It lasted surprisingly well and soon the hostel staff chased us off to bed by closing everything down... but we stayed up as long as could ;-)The new day dawned sunny and bright and with no alarm to wake us we awoke contented and with thoughts of breakfast!
The continental offering was strangely satisfying, although I had to force myself away from thoughts of a bacon buttie!
Amsterdam was calling us and it wasn't long before we were out on foot patrol!! Jayne & Lianne, Matt, Gary, Lisa and me! We had quite fancied seeing the Rijksmuseum but the queue was horrendous and so we chose the Costa Diamond museum instead! We saw an amazing selection of sparkling jewels, glittering rings and necklaces, we were allowed to try them on too... but the room wasn't unlocked until we had removed them ALL!!
Happily we meandered through the streets, the sun was shining, the girls were smiling and everything was good! We even managed a spot of shopping - mindful of the fact that we would have to carry anything we bought!
We found a cafe in a large square and stopped for lunch. We laughed and chattered until the food arrived and then tucked in! As we sat there in the sunshine it suddenly dawned on me ... we were sitting having lunch in a cafe in Amsterdam ... and we CYCLED here!! Cycled! On our bikes! From England to Holland, York to Amsterdam! I got a lump in my throat and knew I'd remember that moment...
The food was gorgeous and perfect fuel for the afternoons adventuring. We decided it would be fun to take a trip around the canals and found one which left quite soon - keen as we were to make the most of every minute :-)
The canal trip lasted 75 minutes and was really an eye opener! Did you know that they have massive ocean-going liners moored up in Amsterdam??? They have a bike park, like a huge multi-story but just for bikes, hundreds of them!! The houses along the canals are all so different and so beautiful! The architecture was so detailed and everything immaculate!
Did you know that the trees along the canals are all Dutch Elm because their roots grow straight down and won't compromise the canal walls! Did you also know that they change the water in the canals twice each year!
The others were happily chatting away but I preferred to be out the back, in the open, watching and clicking away... my camera was in overdrive! Everywhere I looked there were images to capture! I was in my element!!
A million photos later the boat arrived back at its berth and Jayne and Lianne took the chance for a quick siesta back at the hostel while Lisa, Gary, Matt and myself found ourselves back at the Irish bar - Stanley came to take our order! We enjoyed a cappuchino and a bask in the sunshine, taking time to absorb the atmosphere and chill...
In the afternoon sunshine Gary & Lisa slipped away to the park to while away an hour or so, I wandered back to the room to find Jayne and Lianne still fast asleep. Downstairs the hostel lounge was empty, apart from a guy using their internet station, so I got myself a drink and took the time to catch up on my journal.
Usually when I'm away I write a journal every day. All the good stuff, all the fun! This trip had seen only enough time to make notes, literally just words, thoughts, places and people, anything that jogged my memory of where and when and how... but even this had left me with over two pages of notes for each day!!
Back in the room the girls were awake and we all freshened up, ready for our night on the town!
The plan was to meet downstairs at 6.30 and head off towards the Red Light District ... well when in Amsterdam...
We were joined by Sandra, Lorna, Joanne & Nic giving us a good-sized group of ten. Together we took a tram to Dam Square and wandered along, trying not to stare into wacky baccy cafes...
After a bar-stop for a drink and a chat with a very exuberant American and his family, we moved on and managed to find an Italian restaurant to eat in.
After leaving the restaurant the streets were even more packed and the darkness showed up the lighted windows and the neon strips which decorated every shop, cinema and bar!
It seems that hubbies were in for a treat and we scoured the shops looking for suitable DVD's!! Mission acomplished and what a treat - the guy in the shop gave us each a small whip to play with and keep ... what a giggle!!
We all had a certain curiosity about the famed Red Light Area and as Jayne seemed to know most about it she seemed to be our guide! 'Would you like to see more ladies?' she asked as we wound our way along...
Back by the main street with its canal we heard a commotion and a naked guy was riding a bike along the street to whooping and cheering from the crowd. We heard he was soon arrested but it was a distraction as we soon realised that we had lost Nic! Where was she? We had all been wandering along, in two's and threes, watching windows and giggling! But Nic was no longer with us!
We stopped and backtracked and soon she was found! Safe again we linked arms and all stayed together - Matt posted himself at the back as rear guard! Nice one Matt :-)
The excitement over we headed back to Dam Square for the Tram and as we walked along we found ourselves chatting with some guys who were also staying at the hostel. They were in the Canadian wheelchair basketball team and were over here for a tournament. They admitted that they had been chatting to the red light girls about the 'services' available to guys in wheelchairs. We were informed that everything was 'very satisfactory'!!
We all got the same tram but the driver was a little hasty in setting off and we all lurched violently - good job the guys had their brakes on!!
Back at the hostel we retired... to the bar! Just for a nightcap, Southern Comfort and lemonade, with a dabble of chatter and a good laugh, before bed!
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1 comment:
So what did your 'hubby' think to his DVD? and do tell us more about the whip and has it been used?
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