A Liam Abroad

Amsterdam

Final day of tour number two and you guessed it rain, rain, rain!

This meant that there was to be no canal rides. Which in pouring rain didn’t bother me too much. Although I feel I haven’t seen enough of the cultural part of the place. It did leave the day open for some exploring of the city though.

Hate to say it, but not really feeling any connection to Amsterdam. It’s way too alternate and just not a me type of city. There’s a massive American, touristy influence.

I had a sandwich for lunch and was paranoid it was laced with weed. So far, so good though. I’ll just avoid the brownies.

Nothing really special to report this arvo in this city. Rain hung around most of the day. Did done admin things including posting home my heavy items. Pray to God they get back safely. Amsterdam has the cheapest postage going around.

The final activities on this tour were a cruise down the canals and dinner.

The cruise wasn’t anything special, but did allow me to see some of Amsterdam the weather today prevented me from viewing properly. It’s similar to Venice in the respect that there are canals and small bridges everywhere.

It also gave great views of the busy streets, which currently as I’ve previously mentioned are all decorated for the football. Orange galore. Bicycles everywhere too. It’s the way to get around. Not your usual bike though. Granny bikes and oversized bikes. They have right of way. That would take some getting used to.

Dinner was a Dutch rice table affair. Asian food in Amsterdam? I know. Confused me too. I’ve gone right off the cuisine for some reason. But it was tasty enough and there was heaps of it, which is always vitally important.

Free day to roam the streets of Amsterdam on my own tomorrow! I’m thinking that I need to try a burger from the fast food joint that serves burgers next door. Purely because they come from a vending machine. Food is readily available here. People get the munchies after a few puffs of the green stuff!

On the road again…

So today marks the final day on the road. The drive from the Rhine Valley in Germany to Amsterdam in the Netherlands is the final leg of my European adventure.

Our first stop allowed time for a sausage roll. It’s just not the same as a meat pie though which will be high on my to eat list as soon as I arrive home. That and Farmers Union Iced Coffee.

Anyway I’m getting ahead of myself.

Stopped off at a cheese factory. They also make clogs which I initially thought was a bit strange. But they sort of go together. Hard to explain so you’ll just have to believe me. Had a taste of some of the varieties of cheese. And a very yummy wafer biscuit, but back to the cheese… Some were not too shabby. A cheese with pesto for example was quite nice. Others not so nice. In fact the normal cheese was the one I disliked the most. Weird. But that’s cheese!

The clog display was interesting. Who wears clogs anymore I hear you ask? Well the Dutch do in the garden apparently. I don’t know if you would even be able to bring them back through customs being wood and all. So no clogs for me. Good to see tradition isn’t dead here though.

There was a record attempt to see how many people could fit inside a giant clog. My claustrophobic fear prevented me from taking part in that one.

The scenery in these areas has such a country feel about it. Large, wide open spaces. All flat. Paddocks filled with cows and sheep. Extremely green. Windmills everywhere. The old school windmills and the modern wind turbines.

We then went on a gentle bike ride. I rode a granny bike for the first time. Good old pedaling backwards to brake. The short ride took in the town of Edam. Windmills and canals. Very scenic. And the sun was out too which made a pleasant change from previous days.

Eventually the final hotel stop on my world wide adventure was made in Amsterdam. Given that I have no interest whatsoever in drugs and didn’t really want to attend a sex show, I’m not sure how much I will enjoy this city. Drugs are slowly becoming illegal and rightly so. Find more productive things to do with your time people.

The famous red light district which again doesn’t hold much interest for me is quite unusual. Prostitution is legal and hence every second week all prostitutes have to have a check up. Rather than have them on the street, the Dutch attempt to look after them displaying them in windows instead. It’s not wrong it’s different…?

Looking forward tomorrow to seeing some of the markets and canals that also make Amsterdam what it is. Weather is supposed to be ordinary though so fingers crossed it all goes ok.

Finished my day with some more football. It’s huge in the Netherlands. Shops all over the place are decorated for the event. Orange galore. I blend in as a result!