| Page Views: 205 Last Visit to Amsterdam: June, 2005 | Amsterdam by MonicaLouise - last update: Jun 4, 2008 |
Spui Street Corner Bistro After four trips to Amsterdam and surrounding areas in Holland I chose this shot for my intro picture because it is one of my favorite places in the world. Don't get me wrong - on all my trips I visited plenty of the must-sees: The Anne Frank House, The Rijksmuseum, The Van Gogh Museum, The "red-light" district, The Hague, Madurodam, Floriade, Delft, etc. but watching the Dutch world go by from this corner is a priceless experience shared with ordinary regulars who stop by this cafe on their way home from work for Leeuw Bier or Duval or whatever. We had to search for what seemed hours to find it the second time back but persisted and have looked forward to spending "down time" here on every return trip. Only adult beverages served, no food - but there are plenty of dining spots on the busy block of Spui Street to the right of where this photo was taken from across the square. We would even watch for an outside table to open up at the tapas bar across and down the street, toddle over for dinner and look longingly back at whoever was sitting in our vacated spot. |
| My Blue Bike at the Gates to Vondel Park |
|  | BIKING By the fourth time in Amsterdam, I was ready to try the whole biking scene that makes this area so cool. One of many things, I should say. Anyway, I started out on my solo journey with "training wheels" in Vondel Park which was just a block or two away from the rental store. I was so pleased that because of my short stature (5'4" and short legs) I got to return the glaring red tourist rental and was offered this little blue bike - I could even cover up the front rental logo with my bag. I don't know if I fooled anyone but I so wanted to fit in. After looping through the park I ventured out into the "real world" of the Overtoom. And so on. Can't wait to do it again... |
| | ANOTHER DAY - ANOTHER BIKE Just a street shot taken while wandering about with the camera. Click on this photo to get the full effect of the enlarged version - I loved the architectural details of this building and the bike casually parked in front...
Amsterdam is a wonderful place to seek out back corners and tiny roads interlaced with canals - mix in the busy natives swarming around on their bikes all in a days routine - a visual paradise. |
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MonicaLouise's Amsterdam Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 3 - Photos: 9 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2 | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for MonicaLouise about Amsterdam | | | | |
ozalp Fri Jun 12, 2009 20:28 UTC
Hi Monica. Thanks for visiting my page and your help. Amsterdam is a lovely city. I think I could live there. |
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