Rembrandt Park and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Local Custom Tips

This park is just around the corner from where our hotel was... a block away from the famous Amstel River.

This is a lovely park, peaceful and green. A pleasure to sit and relax in. There is a little cafe on the one side too where you can have something light to eat and a hot drink. Of course, all around the park there are bars and cafes, as there is quite a big nightlife here.

So in the midst of the busy city, this park is an oasis.

Leave a Comment

The wooden shoe has been worn since the Dark Ages throughout Europe (news to me, I only thought the Dutch wore them!). People still wear wooden shoes in Holland because of the swampy ground, and also because there is an ample amount of the wood needed to manufacture them (willows and poplars).

~ The orthopedic shape of the wooden shoe - 'clog' - supports your feet very well
~ They are hygienic. The wood absorbs sweat
~ Wooden shoes are safe as the hard wood provides good protection

Dutch wooden shoes are recognised all over the world and make an excellent gift.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.satgroup.net/white-wooden-shoes-dutch.htm

In Amsterdam and other cities with extensive canals like here, many thousands of people live in well-maintained houseboats along the waterways. Visitors can either use steps leading from the street or drive a boat right up to the front door! You can look into their windows and see them reading their books, or sunning on their deck.

One can feel like quite a voyeur when cruising down the canals going past the house boats, as it's natural to want to see what's inside, and the residents dont seem to particularly mind people peering in... or else they would've put up a curtain or something would they not? (Jen trying to justify her curiosity ;).. )

The photo here is like a still life painting to me. Very special. Just a cropped still of a day in the life of a house boat resident in Amsterdam.

Leave a Comment

Dutch as a language is quite similar to Afrikaans, and us, being South African (although English-speaking, not Afrikaans), can understand Dutch, but not speak it. This really helps when reading local info in Amsterdam, although most communication is in English.

It is always nice to 'listen' to the locals though and even nicer when one can understand what they are saying! Haha Our Afrikaans speaking skills certainly helped us around Amsterdam, but, as they cater for tourists very well, it is not that necessary to learn phrases in Dutch as one does when visiting other countries.

Leave a Comment