Easter Weekend in The Netherlands

So, hello again! Now we are in Amsterdam! This was taken

at our first "brown" cafe. This name comes from the color of the walls

due to years of smoking! And once again the Heineken tastes better

here. No skunk taste at all! I usually hate it but in Amsterdam

it tastes like a different beer.

Well, one can't pass up this photo op! This was on the

way to the Dam Square in the heart of town.

And here it is - The Red Light District. This is the main drag.

There are several side streets and other areas. We had to see what

all the hype is about. It is really much more tame then I expected.

It is like a train wreck, you have to look. You can't take pictures of the "ladies"

while they are in the windows.

This is a "green" cafe that we had to stop in. They had a

very interesting menu and the whole place smelled funny...

This is Westerkerk or West Church. It was completed in

1631. Rembrandt and his son are buried here. Speaking of art -

there is more art in every square mile in Amsterdam

than any other European city.

Our first stop was the Anne Frankhuis or Anne Frank House.

We took the whole tour and it was very powerful.

To actually see the annex and the remnants of things on

the walls was moving.

Here is a beautiful canal. Look closely - does it look

like the canal houses are leaning forward? They are!

When people move in the furniture has to be hoisted

up the outside if the building. Dutch stair cases are

too steep to go up on the inside. Anyway, if they lean

forward nothing will scratch up the exterior!

This is the National Monument in Dam Square.

It was erected as a tribute to Dutch citizens who lost their

lives in the Nazi occupation.

Another picture of The Dam. This is the epicenter

of Amsterdam. It is the site of the original dam

built across the Amstel River in the 13th century,

hence the name.

Two things that Amsterdam is famous for! I just

found an advertisement for beer and pancakes to be funny!

We had to see what all the fuss was about. We stopped for
lunch at the Pancake Bakery. Wow! It was worth it!

Next we toured the city in a canal boat. You can hop on and

hop off just like a tour bus!

We also did a wine and cheese candlelight canal cruise

at night. Very romantic!

The third day we left Amsterdam to explore Holland. Our

first stop and one of my favorite things was the wooden

shoe factory. We were able to watch a shoe maker make

a pair of shoes and then try some on for ourselves!

Oh how cute! Look closely at his face - he is not exactly

thrilled that I made him try on a pair!

Next stop was at Delft Pottery! Barb, you would have been

in heaven. The process was explained to us and we got to see pottery

at every stage.

We were able to stop for lunch in the Delft. This is the Oude

Kerk or Old Church. Vermeer is from Delft and is buried here in

this church. This church is also known for it's leaning

clock tower.

No, we are not back in Amsterdam but in Madurodam.

Just outside of Den Haag is the smallest town in The Netherlands.

Everything is 25 times smaller than in reality. Madurodam is also a

war memorial. It was to commemorate a man who died

during WWII. His parents financed the miniature town

intending to donate all the profits.

You can see every significant Dutch city, building or area in

miniature! We also were able to drive through Rotterdam,

Den Haag and the Dutch countryside. We learned

so much about the whole country! The flower exchanges

were closed because it was Easter. But we did get to see a few

bulb fields with daffodils in full bloom. We also stopped at a cheese

shop and tried some fresh Gouda. Yum Yum!

I really loved this trip! We were able to see much of the country

and not just one city. I highly recommend it to everyone!

I hope you all had a lovely Easter and talk to you soon!

Love to all,

Leah and Derek