The bus coming into Brugge from Paris was running late, so an hr and a half after we were supposed to leave we all finally boarded the bus. The traffic getting there was just insane. It was bumper to bumper all the way. I think it was actually worse then I have seen in Sydney.

We arrived at our hostel at 8:30pm (which was 2 1/2 hrs after we were meant to be there), and the 15 of us on the bus decided we would head out have a drink and check out the ever so famous Red Light District. We went to a bar called 'The Bulldog' which is pretty popular in good old Amsterdam. Upstairs was the bar, downstairs was the 'Coffee Shop'. Needless to say the place just smelt of pot, and when you'r trying to have a quiet drink with your mates, it's not exactly great.

We decided to move on and the 6 guys in the group decided to lead the way to the district with the city map and get us all there in one piece. Obviously with guys directing it took us a bit longer then it should've to get there, but hey in the end we made it so it's all good. I have to say this place is the most seedy and dirty place I've ever been to. There are just shop windows after shop windows after shop windows all with the red lights above them. The alley ways which they are in are so narrow (and 2 way mind you), that when you actually walk past these windows the girls in bras and barely there g-strings who are trying to dance sexy to get the guys interested, are right there in your face. If the curtains are closed in the windows then you know the girls is getting busy with a paying customer, and let me tell you a few curtains were closed.

We found out that it costs their pimp 150 euros to hire out the window for 8hrs. Some of us thought that was a bit steep, however when the girls charge a minium 50 euro for 15 mins with guys for the very basic service, and then any additional things that the guys want costs 20 euro each (which mind you also includes being called 'daddy'), then these girls and their pimps are just racking in the money. The girls even have their own union, so this is a very important profession in Amsterdam. The oldest prostitute in Amsterdam we found out is 77yrs old. We didn't find out how popular she is with the guys, but I'd say that they would have to be completely drunk and very stoned to pay her 50 euro for anything.

After a while a few of us girls decided that we had seen enough and at midnight went and had dinner. The ones that stayed behind ended up going and checking out a sex show for 25 euro, which they told us the next day was the biggest waste of money ever. I think the best sex show in town actually charges 40 euro.

The next day 3 of us decided to do a free walking tour around the city. Unfortunately the weather was crazy hot, so it wasn't as enjoyable as it could be, but we still learnt a far bit. Saw the smallest coffee shop in Amsterdam and also the bar that was in Ocean's 12, among other things of course.

That night a few of us decided to do the 'Ultimate Party Tour' which is a pub crawl to 6 bars with 6 free drinks and vodka shots. This was the night that I started drinking beer, cos really had no choice cos the spirits were so damn expensive there. So I turned into a Heineken girl for the night. Vodka shots weren't too bad, however when you walk into the pub's the guys running the tour would just get you to open your mouth and they would pour the shot from the bottle into your mouth, very classy indeed, but hey we're in Amsterdam would more should we expect.

The night was pretty good, but after the 5 club a few of us were ready to call it quits. It was definitely a night we will remember.

Next day after a nice sleep in and checking out a few of the shops, Ranee, Shani and myself decided we would go and visit Anne Frank's house. At 6pm the queue to get in was still pretty long, however it moved pretty quickly which was good. Unfortunately we were not able to take pictures inside the house, but I got one from outside, so I guess this will have to do.

It was great being able to go into all the rooms in the house and walk up the staircase behind the bookcase. The way they have preserved everything in the house is amazing. We found out that the Anne Frank's diary is now available in 60 languages, which just shows how many people her story has touched.

This pretty much wraps up my time in Amsterdam. Decided that besides Anne Franks house I really didn't like the place and probably would never go back. It was just too seedy and dirty. If you're a guy who likes to get drunk, stoned and pay for services then I guess this is the place to go.

Next stop 10hr bus trip to Berlin........