05-05-2011 Amsterdam

Arrived at Amsterdam Airport at about 9.30am. Well....thanks to my travel agent she said it would be easy to catch a train or a bus to Central Train Station in Amsterdam - NOT!!. I had no idea which way was up or down or even pointing to Amsterdam. I was told I would need to catch 2 trains to get to Amsterdam, and/or needed to know the bus numbers I needed to catch.....I just thought 'this is too hard' and walked straight up to a taxi, and was at the hotel in 20 minutes. After a little wait, my room was ready. I got ready for a big and brave walk to Amsterdam Central. The Movenpick hotel is not very far about a 10 min walk.

My first impression was 'This place is CRAZY' there were honestly 1000's of people on bikes (no helmets), trams, cars and millions of people walking every wich way they could. With the traffic direction the oposite to what I am used too, I needed to be very wary of crossing. Taxis use the tram ways, the signals are different, and I could NOT get over how many people were in the city, one could not MOVE.

Fantastic atmosphere as today is Freedom day, so bands, and buskers everywhere. Tiny laneways, millions of shops, I had to consentrate to not loose my way. Of course I collect cloggs as a hobby, and boy oh boy every second shop had souveniers.... i love my dutch heritage, brings back so many memories of my dad and grandfather, as they were born in Dordrecht. I had a wonderful surprise at the hotel, my great aunt with whom I made contact through 'my heritage' tree, send me a handmade postcard, it was so touching, and something I will treasure all my life. Unfortuantely I could not get to meet my dutch family, because of lack of time and distance in between.

The temperature is certainly much warmer than Denmark, I actually worked up a sweat. I am very proud of myself venturing into a foreign city. I had to take photos of the cannibes stores, and the sex shops, all displayed for all to see. People smoking hooka pipes, seeing the delft blue porcelin, cheese shops, any flavour you can dream off, tasted great...wish I could take cheese and mustard back to Australia, Herring stores, hamburger vending machines....ahhh Amsterdam.....tonight I meet the main tourgroup for a meet and greet and dinner, and then my big European Heritage tour starts. Tomorrow we spend the day in Amsterdam, but will fill you in on the excursions then....for now, I am tired, and need to find 30 mins to have a nap...till then