JAYNE'S BLOG: Throwback : My 2010 Amsterdam Journey

Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Throwback : My 2010 Amsterdam Journey

I've been to Amsterdam once. It was long time ago (4 years ago) and I almost forget all the details about my excursions.

BTW my trip to Holland was organized by travel agent. 12 Days Europe excursions. Amsterdam was just a stop by in between country hopping. Traveling by couch from Frankfurt. We stayed 2 nights in Amsterdam before proceed to our next destination.

Kenapa tetiba I mengenang kembali kembara silam? hihihi...sebabnya kerana Holland trip dulu takde pun cover banyak tempat. Sempat round-round Damrak Sq pada waktu malam pertama sampai. Esoknya city tour (mostly dalam bas saja). Ok.... tujuan sebenarnya adalah kerana I nak plan nak ke Amsterdam lagi semata-mata untuk ke Keukenhof dan Giethorn.

Here are some of my throwback pictures of ILoveAmsterdam.

Really? Really? where r the weeds?

Stayed at Hem Hotel Amsterdam. Very far from city center.

Of course the TA chooses this hotel to saves cost.

Taken in the morning. Very cold hokayyy!

I LOVE AMSTERDAM

DAMRAK SQUARE AT NIGHT

The Dam is the very centre and heart of the city, and is the center of Amsterdam attractions. Although there are arguably prettier sights in Amsterdam. As an historical site however, it is fascinating and worth taking the time to appreciate. The Dam has seen many historical dramas unfold over the years, and was for example, the reception area for Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 take-over of the city. The impressive history of the square is well documented in the Amsterdam Historical Museum. The Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) which dominates the square, was originally used as the town hall and its classical facade and fine sculptures were intended to glorify the city of Amsterdam and its government. In contrast to its turbulent history, the square is now a peaceful place and is home to hundreds of pigeons and tourists resting their tired feet from walking among nearby Amsterdam attractions.

The guys and I

Damrak Square

At The Pier

1st time eating Kebab's (Turkish Food)

Lets do some shopping!

Ms fat hihih

Souvenirs Shopping

ZAANSE SCHANS WINDMILL

The Netherlands is synonymous for its windmills, clogs, tulips, canals, cheese markets… practically everything that you would expect to find in a charming and utterly picturesque country. But, whatever image you associate with the lowlands, the first thing likely to come to mind is the windmill (molen). Such is the importance of these living monuments that there is even a National Windmill Day (11 May), and on festive occasions or national holidays molens are decked out in flowers, garlands, figures of angels or the Dutch flag. For centuries, windmills have helped the Dutch fight water shortages so it is little wonder that they were the first to develop ‘windmill technology.’ In the glory days, the Netherlands boasted more than 10,000 mills but the molen population today stands at a mere 1,000. Many of the remaining mills are open to the public and a couple have even been transformed into homes, but a word of warning, these are not museums!

Typical I Was Here Picture

Naughty tourists He He He

The Tourists and Guide

Cheese Market

Peacefully beautiful n romantic!

The Dutch

You want?

Family from Penang

I love it here

Maybe one day : Again

I'm so gendut!

Happy to be here


Last picture before leaving

NEXT, VOLENDAM

For a glimpse into the past, and a drive along the low-lying fields and windmills of North Holland, Volendam is an ideal day trip destination from Amsterdam. Too cute to be true, the quaint fishing village surrounds a picture-postcard harbor lined with wooden houses, where locals still wear traditional Dutch clogs, aprons and bonnets.

Historically, Volendam’s claim to fame was as the harbor for the neighboring town of Edam. More recently, it’s easy to see why artists like Picasso and Renoir were drawn here to paint scenes of the harbor lined with steep-roofed fishermen’s houses, canals and drawbridges.

Today, tranquil streets lined with gabled homes run back from the boat-filled harbor, and the port is fringed with souvenir shops and Dutch cafes. Take a stroll away from the water to get a sense of old Volendam, and drop into the town’s museum to see traditional costumes, harbor paintings, maritime paraphernalia and a massive collection of cigars.