Amsterdam days 1 & 2

Amsterdam

Wednesday, early,

Toe is draggin butt, slept well and was due a good night but the wake up for passport inspection came much too soon. It was well organized and went smoothly but I'd rather have stayed in bed, I'm sitting here trying to figure out how to tie my shoe laces!

The sky Is overcast with a chance of rain, and as I look out I can see the city is already bustling. Had breakfast, I think! Then sleepily located our group meeting place and off we went to see some of Amsterdam. First stop was at the at the Anne Frank Huis, by now the rain was coming down heavily and the line up outside the was very long. Our group bypassed this line as it had been pre arranged by our agency, long before we left home.

To actually be there, and see what was endured is moving to say the least, I observed many with teary eyes, and my vague memories of those war years flooded back. Next we visited the Rijksmuseum which is only part open due to renovations. The guide was awesome and knew the history well. We saw the famous "Nachtwacht" or Night Watch by Rembrandt and other works of his and then we left in the pouring rain for our canal tour. I have never seen such numbers of bicycles and umbrellas, all competing for space on crowded sidewalks and narrow roads.

The canal cruise was great though we could have done without the heavy rain cascading down from the glass roof and windows. The architecture, especially in old Amsterdam was amazing, you can see so much of the city from the canals we even observed trade being plied as we cruised past the Red light District.

After two and a half hours we were back at the cruise terminal, we'd had lunch aboard the canal boat so went directly to our cabin for a much needed snooze at approx. 1300h.

1730h.

Oooooh that was a lovely snooze, We showered, changed clothes and it will soon be time for dinner the sun shines once again and I feel a lot livelier, Tomorrow we are on the cheese, windmills and clogs tour, leaving at 0800h so it won't be a late night for me. We've had plenty of exercise so far, and this bod of mine is rebelling, aches and pains in muscles I forgot I had.

Our dining time is 1745h. We used to take late seating, 2030h, but for the past, I'd say 10 years we found it too late for us. There are two fixed dinner seating's aboard, both mentioned above. These are the traditional times going way back to the age of ocean liners But the advent of "any time dining" a few years back appeals to more and more, I see a time when traditional dining fades into history, this in my opinion it will change the dynamics of a Holland America cruise. With traditional dining you get to know your table mates and by the end of the voyage firm friendships have been made, this appears to appeal to less and less as does formal wear, to my mind definitely the end of an era.

It is now Thursday August 5th. I don't recall what I had for dinner last night all I know is that instead of the fruit plate I ordered for dessert turned into Crepe Suzette. We were both tired after our busy day and turned in early, it wasn't long before Dorothy was sleeping soundly, I read through tired eyes but but as soon as I turned out the light, I was wide awake. This went on for ages so this morning I was not ready when to get up when our wake up coffee arrived.

The tour we took was called windmills, cheese and clogs and a drive through the countryside to Volendam. We enjoyed it in spite of the rain in the morning, the afternoon was sunny so we put the umbrellas away.

Clog and cheese making were interesting to see and the few 17th. Century windmills, preserved and still

Working made for some good photos.

We have a sea day to get rested up tomorrow so I'll bid you adieu and see if I can get some signal strength.