Day 658, 22 Mar ' 16, Ten kate Markt, Foodhallen, 9 Streets, Rembrandthuis, Waterlooplein Fleamarkt.
Turns out little Luca is prone to yipping and barking a bit when left alone, so today we saddled up with the doggie bag and the doggie and took off exploring together. First off we walked to Dam Square and took our inaugural official tram ride with Luca. Feels very unusual for us as only guide dogs are allowed on public transport in Australia. But then smelling marijuana wafting out of coffee shops is also rather unusual (for us). Lovely to be able to go almost everywhere with our favourite schnauzer in tow (and he thinks it's Christmas as well). First off we visited the Ten Kate Markt (logically enough on Ten kate Straat - god bless Dutch naming practicality). This market is less touristy and more cheaperie than the Albert Cuyp and we got some dips, fruit & veges, seed bread and muesli to keep us going. Right behind Ten Kate is Amsterdam's FoodHallen. Loads of trendy cafes/bars/restaurants set up in an old tram depot and now seriously poshed up with "local" this and "artisan" that. Not for the faint-of-wallet. On the way back into town we shared our tram with a kitty in a basket. All well behaved. We bought 7 day tram passes for unlimited travel so hopping on and off on a whim is great. We stopped at Westerkerk on the return and oogled the 5 hour queue at the Anne Frank House. Loco. Mad. Crazy. Bonkers. Not us - we booked weeks ago and have a time slot for immediate entry lined up for 29 March. We had lunch at Cafe Jennifer - my fave spot from my first visit to A'dam - falafel sandwich still a cracker. Quite a novelty indeed to have Luca sitting on the seat next to us with his head poking out of his doggie bag - taking it all in. After lunch we walked the Negen Straatjes or "Nine Streets" - lots of boutiques and cafes. Finally home for a quick sit and to drop off Luca. As enlightened as the Dutch are with dogs in shopping centres, restaurants, trams etc... they're still not allowed in the big museums (can't believe we can't stick them in the cloakroom - that'll be two coats, one handbag, one dogbag and one dog...) Anyway - off to Rembrandthuis - just a 5 minute walk away. First use of our new Museum Kaart. We arrived in time for the etching demonstration and the paint mixing/colour demo and then appreciated the amazing 54 million euro Rembrandt on display. Only authenticated in 2008! Quite a story to it. Was always doubted to be a Rembrandt work... not signed etc. Perhaps "School or Studio of". Anyway - they cleaned off many layers of thick, yellow varnish and discovered the signature - Voila! Instant millions. Walked back via Waterlooplein flea market but just had a quick look. At the rate I'm going I'll need a new-to-me pair of pre-loved sneakers before we leave here... my current ones which were (only €2 euro at the flea market in Spain last year) are finally on their last legs (feets?) Home for a sit, a rest and a planning session for tomorrow... Diamonds? Modern Art?