Well, we’ve handed over our tent and sleeping bags (and a few other smaller items) to our friends Toot and Karen who are sending the stuff back in their camper to NZ, so we are now ‘tentless’ for our last week ha-ha. Today we’re off to our airBnB that we booked in the countryside just out of Katwijk, south Holland – a small town approx. 40 kms from Amsterdam.
Its in a great location for sightseeing around the area. Our hosts Jan and Dika are very welcoming, and we apparently have the place to ourselves for the 4 nights. A bonus – no fighting over the bathroom👍
We spend our days visiting the area and seeing the towns of Leiden, Alkmaar, Hoorn, Volendam and Zaanse Schans and of course, Amsterdam. Holland’s towns are consistently beautiful; we are struck by the overall prettiness, amazing canals and unique housing and architecture. The only downside is that it seems this time of year there is plenty of fog that doesn’t lift until later in the afternoon.
Also, you can’t escape the cyclists who rule the streets! Cycleways both sides, on every road!!
Amsterdam
We venture into Amsterdam by train. Jan, our host has kindly offered to drive us into Leiden (about a 10 min drive) and pick us up tonight. Just an FYI, next time we’d do things a bit differently. If you use the Park and Ride system, you get a discount on the train trip. Because we didn’t, it cost us 38€ For the 35 min return train trip for two – gulp!
We arrive at Amsterdam Centraal, its a bit overcast but this doesn’t detract from the buzz of the city. From art and museums; canals and waterways; bars and coffeeshops with wafts of Mary Juana and the red light district with the ladies displaying their ‘wares’ – it really is a city where there is something for everyone!
Canal houses
The Canal houses that line the canals date back 250-500 years ago and every canal house was built to be unique from the other and although built with the same shape, each one was personalised with an ornamental piece, such as the gables and plaques. Also, these houses are very narrow as during the time that these house were built, taxes were determined by the house frontage so the canny Dutch built their houses deep and narrow to avoid high taxation. The other interesting fact is that you notice that many of the houses lean out at the top. This was done deliberately to attach a hoist at the top of the facade to allow for furniture to be hoisted up to the top floor as the houses were too narrow to carry furniture up the stairs.
Canal and waterways
With 65 miles of canals, Amsterdam is the most ‘watery’ city in the world. Today, the water in the canals is cleaner than it has ever been in their history. Three times a week, 14 of the 16 existing waterlocks around the city close up, so clean water can be pumped in from the big lake IJsselmeer. The current that creates pushes the dirty canalwater out through the open locks on the other side of the city. Specialized cleaning boats with big scoops and nets patrol frequently to clean surface dirt. Since 2005, all the houseboats in the city are connected to the sewer system.
Amsterdam’s ‘love-hate’ relationship with weed
Despite what you may think, marjuana is not legal in the Netherlands. So let me explain about the ‘coffeeshops’ who sell it (and yes, they are specifically called a ‘coffeeshop’ as opposed to a ‘koffeehuis, a coffee shop’ or ‘cafe’ who sell coffee – yes, the black stuff – so don’t get them mixed up😉). These have been operating in a bit of a grey area – legally speaking that is. It is a practice tolerated by police, and although illegal, the shops are given permits to trade. Given that it is estimated that 25-30% of people who visit Amsterdam spend time in a coffeeshop, it is obviously a lucrative business for many.
Red light district of Amsterdam
Its small and a bit of a sleazy area of town, but prostitution is legal in the Netherlandsbut not on the streets. That’s why prostitutes in Amsterdam stand up behind a window and have their own room. The name of “Red Light District” comes from the red neon lights that highlight the 300 windows where women are working. There are also ‘Blue lights’ that designate transgender or transvestites – but we didn’t actually see any of these. We wandered around a few lanes and saw some of the red lights lit up with the women scantily dressed.
Fish market
Of course, our day woudn’t be complete without a visit to the fish market. Oh Yum, small pieces of mixed fried fish and seafood. Can’t beat it!
Tomorrow, we start our journey back to Paris for our flight home. But first Bruges!
Well a belated happy birthday Sinclair from us. I see that you managed to survive the celebrations & don’t look a day older.
Looks like you have had an awesome time, it’s always a bit of a bummer when the end of a great experience, is just around the corner.
You are an awesome scribe Cathy, have enjoyed the reading.
See you at some stage when you get back.
Tony & Marcia
Thanks for the birthday wishes u2. Hard to believe this is all coming to an end. Yes, we’re keen to catch up so hopefully we’ll see you both very soon!