This was either my first nor my longest visit at Amsterdam. In fact, I had stopped by or transited at Amsterdam too many times… Yet, this was my most joyful visit at Amsterdam, and I would like to share with you what I saw…
===== From Wikidedia =====
Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Found within the province of North Holland, Amsterdam is colloquially referred to as the “Venice of the North“, due to the large number of canals which form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Let’s see — where should I start? Of course, the grand Amsterdam station!! The station itself is already a sight-seeing spot, and you can see why. Immediately walked out of the station, I could already see the river, cruise, and many many good-looking buildings…
My hotel was supposed to be just a short distance from the station, so I pulled my suitcase and started looking for it, with help from the google map. It was not easy, as I’m direction-blinded, but around the station, there were so many things to look at, I kept taking pictures and kept asking around, finally arrived my little cute boutique hotel!! See, even my room is tiny but cute!!
Later, I found that there was a shortcut from the station, and my hotel was right next to the waterway, so it should have been easy to find, but I just walked 30min. and a big circle around it. Haha!!
After check-in, I immediately started walking around. I wanted to look around before dark, and maybe takeout dinner.
The streets were crowded with people and tourists, yet it felt so relaxing and safe. I love the waterways which seemed to connect everywhere. There were also tons of different restaurants, gift shops, grocery stores, even some looked like Chinatown… I couldn’t choose, so just looked around.
This is fun!! I stood on the bridge and took a series of pictures of a boat passing… It looks like cartoon!
When the night was about to fall, the sky changed colors, and the lights turned on, the streets became even more beautiful! It was just a normal day, but the whole town looked like a festival to me!
This is the BEST PART!! The SUNSET and NIGHTVIEW at Amsterdam was the greatest!! The buildings, the lights, the water, the reflection — it was perfect!! I greedily lingered around the shore until it became totally dark. Although it was near a major station, it felt totally safe to walk around at night. Nobody bothered me or came near me.
After I took enough pictures of the night view, I went to the main street to look for my dinner. Of course, there were many tourists and gift shops on the main street, some unknown but beautiful buildings too.
There, I saw a little local restaurant selling Kebabs. Many middle east people chatting or eating at this restaurant. I visited Istanbul twice before, and I love Kebabs. Although there seemed to be no non middle east people this shop, I entered. The fact that I couldn’t even read the menu because it wasn’t written in English, the guy standing behind me kindly explained to me.
And, this was my Kebab!!!!!! It was the BEST kebab I’ve ever eaten in my life!!!!! It only costed me EUR 2-3, but there were so much meat on the plate! As you can see, the amount of meat was much bigger than the bread! (I think, this amount of meat can sell 4 Kebabs in Japan, because the Kebabs sold in Japan are mostly lettuce, just a little bit meat, and it will cost EUR 4-5.) There was no way to sandwich the meat with the bread. Also, the meat was very well-seasoned and juicy, and all-you-can-use special sauce… I was very full just by eating this most tasty Kebab! I could not be any more satisfied! (In fact, until this day, I still miss it! I swear if I ever visit Amsterdam again, I’ll most definitely go to this restaurant again!)
After the very full dinner, I slowly wandered back to my hotel. The city was still full of lights, and the streets were still full of people. It looks like the city never sleeps. Ha! The buildings looked exactly like the magnets for refrigerator, don’t you think?
Ha! This was my midnight snack — yogurt bought from local grocery store. I thought, Netherlands is famous for their milk products. Their yogurt must be good too! (It tasted good, indeed, just a little too much sugar. Haha…)
Next morning, I needed to wake up early. I had bought the ticket to the Van Gogh Museum weeks ago!! I must get there as soon as it opens, spend as much time as possible inside, and then return to hotel to pick up my suitcase, and rush to the airport for my evening flight!!
My breakfast was included, and served in a little Pub right next to the boutique hotel. The Pub was obviously for drinking at night, but in the morning, I was the only guest. The breakfast was self-service, buffet, not bad at all!! It was so interesting to eat breakfast in a Pub. The Pub looked old, but the interior design looked so cozy. I wish I could sit in there longer…
It was too early for any transportation. Also, I wanted to enjoy the quiet morning and beautiful scenery to the most, so I walked to the museum. It was just about 5km away. Indeed, there were so much to see, the scenery kept changing as I walked. Everything looked beautiful, and no people around, so nice!! Even the shop windows looked nice, too bad no shops opened.
Also, I love that I was always walking along the river. The water reflects the buildings and the bridges perfectly! The water was so close to me, almost same level as me. I imagined that if somebody gets drunk, he may fall into the river. Or, somebody can actually take a pee into the river. Haha!!
Finally, the Van Gogh Museum!! Actually, there was a very cute pink Moco Museum next to it, which I only took a photo, no chance to visit.
The Van Gogh Museum was already crowded with people from the morning, and I had to wait in line to take this very photo! It is one of the art museums that I love the most!! Many large famous museums showcased too many artists at the same time, you cannot remember who is who. I prefer to visit the museums for certain particular artists. I found them most interesting. Often time, the style of artists changed gradually when they gets older, depending on their life experiences. It’s interesting to see how their style changes overtime, and know their stories. (Picasso Museum in Barcelona is another one that I highly recommend.)
Van Gogh used to sell paintings, eventually started to paint himself, but nobody appreciated his art at the time. At that time, people thought that his art was weird. His life was so lonely and sad, he was even put into an institute, because people thought he was crazy. Yet, how many genius were crazy? He had the eyes to see what other people cannot see. His art emphasizes the beautiful colors of nature. They become what we love today, long after he was gone. He was never being appreciated, until after he was gone. How sad it is, the life of a great artist.
https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en
After visiting the Van Gogh Museum, I didn’t have time to walk back anymore. Also, it was hot in the day. I just jumped into one of the trams on the road, without knowing the fare. Luckily, I could pay the fare inside the tram. Then, it just quickly brought me back to the station.
Here, my little journey ended… However, other than Amsterdam, I also had a wonderful time at Enschede. Please also check out my post on Enschede!! Bye now~