DAY 7
July 20, 2022 (Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS)
Second Day in Amsterdam Starts With Breakfast...
We have now become accustomed to eating a buffet breakfast each morning that is made up of cheese, meats, pastries, breads, sausages, eggs, cereals, juices and coffee.
And Amsterdam did not disappoint. Just one floor up from the lobby, where we ate dinner last night, was a spread of breakfast delights starting at 7 a.m.
Surprisingly, when I went down at 7 when they opened, no one else from the group was there. As I left, people started to arrive.
A Small Stop To A Windmill City...
As we left the hotel, we met our local tour guide named Olga who took us first to a very small but quaint windmill village called Zaanse Schans, where some of the original windmills are still located. Some of these windmills would grind wheat, pump water and press oil from seeds. As we explored the little area on foot, we passed several windmills, and small houses. At the end we had a glimpse of cows, ducks, goats and roosters all living in peace and harmony.
After some souvenir shopping, we loaded up the bus and headed toward the city center. Olga gave us very detailed information about the city of Amsterdam as we took off. Due to the government restricting buses from entering the city center, we had to do a large loop around the city to see the sights. Olga was quite informative and very energetic as she pointed out many buildings and landmarks, adding her bits of humour along the way. She had us laughing the entire time, despite appearing as though she collected her equivalent to National Insurance about 10 years ago…
An Hour Of Free Time...
By 12:30 we had arrived in an area where we were free to explore for an hour. Most of us had lunch in a restaurant in the area. Some of us went to the pub to get fish and chips but they weren’t serving any lunch until 2 p.m.
So it was a sandwich from the local pizzeria right across from the pub for lunch.
Michael's Surprise - A visit to the Diamond Company
After lunch we walked to a nearby Diamond Company –  Diamant Museum Amsterdam, that makes diamonds and places them in rings, necklaces, watches and other jewelry. As we entered we actually saw workers taking the diamond and shaping them from a rough chunk of diamond into the fine cut stone that we often see. However, they have created a new cut with 201 facets instead of the regular 57. We were treated to a showing upstairs where we were shown the various karats from $400 up to $60,000 in varying sizes. As we worked our way to the exit, there were Mont Blanc pens for $375 and Mont Blanc Belts for $275, and near the end many watch brands like Fossil and G-Shock. Of course the ‘souvenir’ shop was at the exit to make sure we got our magnets and clog keychains.
A Visit To The Home of Anne Frank...
After the Diamond company, we walked our way about 20 minutes to the home of Anne Frank for a tour. We were an hour early so we had some free time until the tour began.Â
Some of us went across the street to the food store, while others went to explore the shops heading toward the city center. What did I do? I went to look for a belt!Â
Unfortunately, I discovered I had left my belt in Hamburg when we left a few days ago… so on to H & M it was in the city center on the 4th floor to find my belt – and some shorts and a cap for tomorrow – it is HOT! There was lots to see in the city square including pigeons, hundreds of people and a cathedral!
At 5:30 p.m. we all walked a few steps to the Anne Frank tour. Half of the group went in first and were given personal speaker devices that we had to hold near various places on the walls of each room that would then play an audio clip in English of what was being shown in that particular room. Some rooms had video footage on a tv screen, while others had photographs and the real diaries of Anne Frank behind a glass encasement.Â
Many of the rooms were small and several stairs were SO STEEP you had to hold on for dear life to climb up to the next floor. The tour took you through the short life of Anne Frank and her diaries with explanations by Otto, her father and others involved in her life.Â
At the end, there was a store where you could buy various books outlining accounts of her diary information.
Its DINNER TIME - Chinese Food...
At the end of the Anne Frank tour, we were all ready for dinner. We walked a few minutes down the street to a Chinese Restaurant and headed up two flights of stairs. At the top our tables were waiting and the waiters immediately began their service. The tables were outfitted with the huge ‘lazy-susan’ type center where everything rotates.Â
First was the chicken and corn soup – which looked like a typical chicken noodle with corn in it and a little thick – delicious.
Afterwards a variety of food that Bahamians are use to back home and some that had us saying “what in the world is this” food came to the table.Â
Typical chicken with broccoli and sweet and sour fish (breaded) were delicious.Â
We had to ask what the other dish was – and was told pork in a brown gravy (it was only later that we were told ‘and tofu’ and wondered why the ‘pork’ was so mushy).Â
Soon came the white rice and the steamed bok choy.
You could hear the conversation and laughter at each table as the meal progressed. I think everyone was quite satisfied with the meal – we know Bahamians love Chinese food.
Afterwards, we headed another few blocks to the bus station where we caught bus 22 toward the hotel which, after 5 stops dropped us right in front of the IBIS hotel.
Michael gave us the instructions for tomorrow – we are off to PARIS but FIRST – due to the labour strikes, we have to take a bus through the country of BELGIUM – the city of BRUSSELS – another unexpected twist to this 2-week adventure.
We will get to stop in Brussels and see the city, despite it being a national holiday there. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
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The Bus Ride Home...
After filling our bellies with Chinese Food, we walked toward the bus station to use our passes we were given yesterday.Â
Again we followed Michael down the sidewalks and through a tunnel and up the stairs to find our bus.Â
When #22 pulled up, we all piled on board, some standing, some sitting and others jammed up between other people – all while wearing our masks. It was exciting to ride the bus, as it was making several stops letting people off.Â
After the 4th stop, I noticed the name of the upcoming stop – Nassauplein – what a coincidence.Â
By the time we got in, we were glad to get a good night’s sleep.
STAY TUNED FOR TOMORROW...
ONE WEEK is done and at the start of Week 2 –Â Day 8 on Thursday morning, June 21, we head out at 9am to Paris via Brussels in Belgium. We should arrive in Paris by tomorrow afternoon.
