Amsterdam, Netherlands

Our enjoyment of the city break to Amsterdam in winter was perhaps muted due to the time of year we had chosen. Whilst flights were cheap, they were for a reason as the city in our opinion wasn't as lively and fun as we had expected. The wintry gloom and cold wind blowing over the canals made us very uncomfortable.
Amsterdam is a city best known for its liberal views on pot and porn. It attracts the party crowd but also the art and culture lover. Maybe we will come back another time, in another season and enjoy it more.

I Amsterdam Pass
As our time in the city was short and Mei was feeling under the weather due to a cold, we bought the 24 hour I Amsterdam pass that gave us access to free public transport (trams were very convenient when we were too lazy to walk), a canal cruise that cycled through several different languages and explained the architectural highlights of the city. We also had access to and visited the Hermitage (17th century painters like Rubens and Van Dyck), Van Gogh and Diamond museums. 

One of the many canal bridges

A series of arches

The canals

Olie all rugged up

Part of a museum

Dutch Tulips

The season we visited was also not great for seeing tulips. However we did visit a street that sold a variety of bulbs and flowers that were blooming away happily even though it was right in the middle of winter.

Tulips in winter

Night Life

We also made sure we were occupied at night - taking many walks past a very busy canal for tourists with red lighting and exotic window displays with a side trip to the local organic coffee establishment for a cupcake.

Exploring the canals at night

Food in Amsterdam

We ate loads of chips (tasted better than Belgium), FEBO (vending machine croquettes), apple pastries and chose to eat Japanese and Chinese food instead of the widely available Argentinian Grill (more common that McDonald restaurants).

FEBO!

Eating was good for the cold

Apple pastries

Japanese pickle

Very good sashimi

Lamb cutlets caramelising over a flame

Coffee and cake - favourite activities of Amsterdam visitors

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