Planes, Trains, and Automobiles... boats and bikes too!

For my birthday this year, Steve booked us (him and I... alone) a trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands for a long weekend.  With the help of wonderful friends... (thanks Mike and Rokzanne) we left on Thursday night and returned Tuesday evening.

We have arrived:

We arrived late Thursday evening, grabbed a cab and headed straight for the hotel.  Once we were settled in we ordered a pizza and tried to get to sleep as early as possible so we could make the most of our time there beginning in the morning.

We started our day by walking to the metro to ride into the city- and to start soaking it all in.

Bikes were everywhere in Amsterdam. There are more bikes than people... or cars.  

 Metro:

 We got off the metro and started walking... we were not too sure where we were headed except for somewhere to eat.  

It was the best going into this trip without any expectations or a long list of things to do or see.  It makes it a lot more interesting and relaxing.

Walking to food: 

 We happened to walk by this bakery/restaurant that looked and smelled amazing!  

Everything was fresh and from local farms.  We couldn't resist and are so glad we didn't.  

This was our view from our table: overlooking the 'kitchen'.

 Best hot chocolate EVER!

 We then started walking into the center, down side streets, shopping streets,

 and all around the town.   

 I love graffiti and this town was full of walls, doors, and more.  

And finally stopped in Rembrandt Square: 

Where is Steve?

.... and again?

We grabbed a table for a drink and to people watch... 

.... and within minutes were happy to hear Mexican music playing. 

After a bit- we started walking again...

We walked along the water, down side streets, all around again... 

Of course we had to stop in the chocolate shop we walked by...

totally worth it!!

... and kept walking

Steve looking to see where we were at...

... to the Anne Frank House. This was the only thing I wanted to see in Amsterdam... and of course the line had a wait that was almost 2 hours long.

This statue was around the corner from her house:

While we were debating on whether we should get in line or try again tomorrow, we were approached by a guy trying to fill up his boat for a boat tour- one thing we had talked about doing earlier.  

It didn't take much for him to 'convince' us to take it... and that was it, we would try again for the Anne Frank House tomorrow- and meet up with our new friend (who happened to be from Santa Cruz, California) an hour later.

So- we walked around until it was time for us to take the tour.

The tour started right on time... and our boat was full.  3 girls from the states, 2 of their friends who one met while studying abroad- they all just graduated college a few weeks prior, and 3 women from Argentina. 

Our captain: 

We were SO glad we took this route in tours instead of getting on a larger more full tour boat.  We had great weather, heard all about the history of Amsterdam, their government and reasons for legalizing certain things, and a great time!!  

I even got to drive the boat!!

This bridge was so low... the boat barely fit under.  

We had to all duck to go through:

 After the boat cruise Steve and I grabbed some dinner and then sat outside people watching.  People watching can be amazing in many cities but Amsterdam is the best place to watch... you will see everything!  I do think we were visiting at a popular time too though, we met so many people who were either taking a bachelor/bachelorette trip or a graduation celebratory trip.

Either way: we loved every minute!!  

... while people watching, I noticed a group of about 15 guys trying to take turns taking pictures of their group across from our table.  I got up and took their picture for them all (bachelor party weekend) and about an hour later- they came back around and sat with us at our table. They were hilarious- from London and having a great time.  

After hanging out for a few hours- we called it a night... and headed back to our place.  We had to take the night bus to get back... the metro closes down at 12am... I was shocked that in a city like this, the metro would shut down so early but the night buses take over and it all works out... 

Amsterdam... I love you already and it has only been a day.  

I am SO glad we are still here for another 3 days!!