Rhineland - Amsterdam, Holland

We headed north today through the industrial Ruhr and then into the green canal countryside of Holland to Amsterdam. First stop was a visit to a famous diamond centre where we watched the cutting and polishing of precious stones. Then to the Van Gogh Museum. After lunch we boarded a canal boat and had a cruise to see Amsterdam from water level. We passed the infamous Anne Frank house, the Rijksmuseum, the Lido Bar, floating canal boat restaurants and the Nemo Museum. After our cruise we headed for Dam Square. Dam Square was created in the 13th century when a dam was built around the river Amstel to prevent the Zuiderzee Sea from flooding the city, causing damage and endangering the citizens of Amsterdam. Through the centuries, a number of buildings sprung up around the Square, special events were (and still are) held here, and street entertainers are a common site. In the 1960s, Dam Square was famous for the "hippie" population that hung out at the location. In addition to Madam Tussauds' Wax Musuem, several restaurants, cafés, and shops, there are many excellent attractions to visit in Dam Square. The most prominent is the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace) which was built as a city hall for the magistrates of Amsterdam, it was the largest secular building in Europe in the 17th century. The Dutch royal family no longer lives here, but many special events are still held at the palace.

Near the palace is the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, the largest five-star hotel in the Netherlands established in 1866 by a Polish immigrant.

At the opposite of the Royal Palace stands a tall, white column adorned with sculptures, known as the National Monument. It was erected in 1956 to honor the victims of World War II. The steps leading to the column are a popular place for people to sit and relax on a sunny day.

The Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), adjacent to the palace, was originally built about 1400 and restored to its original grandeur in the mid-1600s after a major fire.

It was built in early Renaissance style. Both inaugurations and royal weddings have been held in this magnificent church.

We walked down the red light district that everyone knows about is the one where women, of all nationalities, parade their wares in red-fringed window parlours, many ready to offer more than a school boy peep-show in a private cabin. I think this was a real eye opener for Ashley, she couldn't stop giggling. I was surprised at the number of cannabis shops and outlets around the area.

Late afternoon we made our way to Anne Frank House. The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank, who hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden rooms at the rear of the building. As well as the preservation of the hiding place and an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, the museum acts as an exhibition space to highlight all forms of persecution and discrimination.

We made our way back to Dam Square and met up with the rest of the group and enjoyed a typical hearty Dutch meal in an authentic 16th century establishment, the Restaurant Haesje Claes, which is part of Amsterdam history. It is renowned for its 8 dining rooms.

Amsterdam 19th Jul y Up early to say our goodbyes to our group. Ashley and I stayed on for another day. Ashley was not feeling well, so I caught the train into Dam Square and walked around Dam Square looking for a travel agent. I booked an afternoon tour of the Windmills and Clog Factory. In the meantime I hired a bicycle taxi and had the driver take me around the local area for a tour. I ended up wandering around the Jewish Quarter and shopped in the markets. I also visited the Rembrandt museum where the painter lived and worked at the height of his local success, it contains a room filled with the classical busts and tribal spear Rembrandt used as props. Back on the bicycle taxi to meet the bus to take me on the afternoon tour. First stop was Voldendam which is a harbour town and well known for its old fishing boats. We also visited the local museum. We continued our journey to the working windmills. From here we went to a cheese factory and then onto a clog factory where we had demonstrations on how to make a clog. The tour ended around 7pm and I had dinner with Ashley as she felt much better.