We boarded our bus and headed for our hotel which turned out to be right in the city centre. After a rather gruelling flight it was very delicious to walk into my room and breath a sigh of relief, dump my bags, kick off my shoes and crash on the inviting looking bed!
But not for long!! None of us were about to waste time sleeping! As we had arrived right at breakfast time we were free to go into the hotel's restaurant and help ourselves. Of course, we had been served a breakfast on the plane.....but that didn't seem to to stop any of us having another one!!! Oh dear....I think I will be rolling home from this holiday!
So today has been a free day to do as we please. This morning a few of us chose to do a city tour by bus, which turned out to be really good, especially as it was raining a little. It gave us a good overall impression of the city. Following that 4 of us opted to visit Madame Tussaud's....pleased I did too....it was fun and I was able to catch up with a few good looking people!!
After that I thought I better have a bit of culture so went and viewed an exhibition of Rembrandt's paintings, which was exceptional. Incredible God given talent that artist had!
I chose to wander the streets for awhile on my own this afternoon......nothing like a bit of people watching....it kind of helps to get the feel of the place. So many nationalities here, so many faces, such a different feel here than at home.....I'm still mulling over in my mind my impressions....
Of course coming to Europe one is always struck by the age of the buildings, the beautiful architecture, the history......and so on. I have never been to this part of Europe before so EVERYTHING is interesting!
One very important thing I learnt today is the difference here between a coffee house and a cafe. If you want a good coffee go to a cafe, if you're not so worried what your coffee is like.....then take the other option......you'll find all sorts on offer!! All legal here of course......ha!
You'll be pleased to know I skipped lunch......after 2 breakfasts it seemed the right thing to do! But I did succumb to a little afternoon tea.....the smell of the waffles just go to me I'm afraid.....warm waffle with chocolate sauce.....hmmmmm!
Early this evening we visited the Anne Frank museum. Seeing this place is very sobering and moving. It is the actual house and secret rooms where Anne and her family, along with a few others, hid during the Second World War. The fear of the Nazis, especially for the Jews, reigned during that time and standing in that house - in those rooms - brings into clear focus what it must have been like for Anne and her family. How grateful we must always be for those who fought in past wars against evil.
The day ended with a welcome dinner for our tour group in a fabulous little restaurant.
As we wandered back to our hotel I realised it was nearly 10pm and it was only just getting dark. We crossed over several canals and in the dusk with the lights coming on everything looked so beautiful.
Its been a wonderful day in this intriguing city but we have a 5:30am wake up call in the morning to go to the flower markets - the largest one in the world!! So this weary traveller better get some sleep!
Till next time.......
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