Travel Tips

Mariajoy was back in town and "Terrible Two" friend PetraE just returned to the UK.
Being just on your own is no fun, so I headed towards Amsterdam with Swanet for a day of sightseeing pleasure.
Igraine joined the fun at dinner time after wishing us a sunny afternoon by SMS.

As usual Swanet and I had a calendar of our own and did some fast CD shopping before heading to the Leidseplein and meet up with Maria.
She happened to be at her favorite hotel close to one of my favorite record shop (Record Palace) and just had to go inside and score an album from the basement.

We hopped on a tram and went to the Central Train Station, where we took the West passage to end up at the harbourfront and went East.

After 500 meter we took a right to the former Mail distribution center (Post CS) and went up to Club 11 to have a great view over the city.

After being refreshed we took an interesting "in between"sightseeing trip.

Just follow us on our way:
From Post CS we went over the pedestrian walkway along the Boat Hotel and the Floating Sea Palace Chinese restaurant.
Via the Korte Waal we entered the Chinese quarter at the Binnen Bantammerstraat.
We took the Stormsteeg and took a left to visit the Chinese temple.
A little back on the Zeedijk and a left to enter the RLD at the Boomsteeg.
Right onto the Oudezijds Achterburgwal and a left over the bridge into the Korte Niezel.
We visit the Oude Kerk and continued over the Warmoesstraat into the Papenbrugsteeg and crossed the Damrak (watch out for cyclist and trams!)

Into the ever busy Zoutsteeg, crossing the Nieuwendijk and into the Gravenstraat at the backside of the Nieuwe Kerk.
Crossing the Nieuwenzijds Voorburgwal (again cyclist and more trams!) into the Molsteeg.
Maria discovered a Vegetarian Restaurant at the Spuistraat (next time Maria!) and we went into the Torensteeg and the Oude Leliestraat.
Crossing the canals now along the Leliegracht, taking a left onto the Prinsengracht along the Anne frank House.

Some crazy Dutcman was laying on the street at the Westerkerk and now Maria realized she was part ofn Amsterdam record shop sightseeing tour; too late!
Some serious shopping had to be done at Plattboef at the Rozengracht.
A little back and into the 1e Bloemdwarsstraat, 2e Leliedwarsstraat and Madelievenstraat.
Nature called, so we skipped a planned record shop visit and via the Anjeliersstraat we went into the Tuinstraat with a great view at the Westertoren.
At the Westerstraat we had a Kodak moment at my father's birth house and finally we arrived at our restaurant: the Eetkamer van de Jordaan.

Ingrid arrived very soon and we had a wonderful dinner.
Real Dutch food in a perfect setting.

We walked in the dark via the Brouwersgracht to the Nieuwendijk.
It was stunniing warm still and much people were enjoying this great evening on the terasses.
At the Damrak we said goodbye to Ingrid and we took the tram to drop off Maria at her hotel.

This really calls for a reprise!

Up to the next meeting: Haaksbergen