Amsterdam, part two.

Mom has never been to Amsterdam so we asked Arja come and help us wander the city. If any of you go, please look her up it's like traveling with your own family, or at least one with a wicked sense of humor.

We hopped the train into the city and met up with Arja at the VVV. We picked up day pass tram tickets and took off. We stopped at the floating flower market - so famous our guide had never heard of it until I had mentioned it the day before. We picked up a clog ornament for our Christmas tree but skipped the myriad of beautiful bulbs and amaryllis. Need I not mention the cannabis grow kits, or hemp clothing/ash trays/bongs and various things in windows I tried to divert young eyes from.

Back on the tram to the Van Gogh where Noni spent an hour while we had coffee and the girls played in the freezing cold sleet on the playground. Quite a change from a couple days before of beautiful sunshine.





The girls are under the "r".

We got on the tram headed back towards the station. The plan being to stay out of the rain. We stopped off for lunch at an Irish pub for cheese toasties, club sandwiches and a blue cheese burger.

We had information about an artisan cheese shop. Reypenar. We went in but the tours were full. We had a lovely time tasting the cheeses though.. Well, once mom and O figured out the bowls of rinds weren't the actual cheese, say it with me "eeeeew".

Then happened to find a chocolatier across the street where we found lovely poppy seed whit chocolates, ones filled with mint and chocolate covered almonds. Mmmm




Picture of us by the canal. We're blocking the name of the statue of a famous Dutch author. To me he resembled Mark Twain.

From there on down the road. Shops galore, P had stolen my scarf so we stopped at H&M for a scarf and hat for O. Then into a mall for warmth. We perused then found an interesting shop called "sissie boy". Not sure it was exactly PC but found a couple of cute dresses for the girls -I'm calling it school shopping. A few Euros lighter we headed back to Central Station where we picked up Dennis from the tourist office and headed out to the ferry.




Note the P with the long face, wasn't exactly a fan of the ferry.

We couldn't have been more cold or damp, but spirits high.. For the PANCAKE Cruise.


An hour of cruising, with piping hot pancakes with a spread of sprinkles, candies, bacon, apples, Brie, peaches, jams, chocolate and syrups (none of them maple) and they were delicious. A wet but beautiful tour of the harbor.


Did I mention the boats hull was full of balls. No joke, the sign says "enter at your own risk." I'm sure the girls will have some sort of rash or cold from this.. Oh well. They loved it.


Arja and her sock fish, a knitting bag she keeps her sock projects in, we took the ferry home and Arja got us to our platform. So sad to say goodbye. It might be ten more years before we see her again but P and O both asked if "dad could go back to London and we could stay here with Arja". Dennis wasn't so amused. He suggested shipping them to Arja and Mr. Bee for a couple of weeks next year. :)

Home to the hotel through the sleet. Our plane leaves tomorrow at 5ish. We have daring plans to train to the airport. I remember doing it with Pete 20 years ago. If I know one thing.. It will be an adventure. The Netherlands has been wonderful, and we will truly miss Arja and Mr. Bee (he skipped the pancake cruise for his board game club). Dennis has a standing invitation for next time.

Much love from A-broad. Xo