We went to Amsterdam for our first of the ‘5 New Countries’ tour! It was really nice too. Good bit was – going to Amsterdam. Bad bit was – having to go to Hull first. Let me explain.
Planning
The wife was Googling things, travel related, after catching up on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Kitten videos etc. She came across this ‘Mini Cruise’. A small cruise, as opposed to the iconic British tiny car, called the Mini. Here was the deal. Go to Amsterdam for 7 hours, whilst spending 2 nights on a ferry! Win. I’ve just realised I’m just freestyling at the moment, let me get back to my journal. Lets stick to the script, for now.
Ferry
Just 20 days later, we were on another ferry. This time to Amsterdam, via Rotterdam. Turns out there is a mini-cruise from Hull. Drove up, got on at night-time, sailed overnight. We had a 4 man cabin, with toilet and shower. It was quite basic, with bunk beds, but ok. It took hours for the kids to finally go to sleep! That was the worst bit for me. Not sure if it was excitement, or lack of sleep that just made them crazy. I don’t know. On top of that, Char was quite sick! The crossing was well rough. Like, a 6/10 rough, where 1 is land, and 10 is gale-force jelly wobbling upside down inside out wave machine. It was proper rocking and rolling and she wasn’t a fan of that. Tough night all round. Plus there was no wifi.
We docked the next morning and got on a coach to Amsterdam. This took just over an hour and a bit. Kids were fine on the coach as had iPads and books and snacks.
My new-found roll, sorry, role in this holiday process was planning everything that didn’t involve the booking of transport to said country. For this trip, we had 6 or 7 hours in Amsterdam before getting back on the coach for the return leg. I downloaded an app for Amsterdam city break or something. On this, you could plan where you wanted to go and it showed an offline map. Coupled with Google, I had planned a great day out. It did involve a lot of walking, and we used the trams a couple of times. Amsterdam is small enough to walk around all the main bits, but with 2 small kids who were 1 and 3 at the time, we tried to save their legs a bit. We had taken the pushchair for Stan, even though he was already not using it back home. Just made it all easier.
We got out at Grand Central Station, where the bus stops and that are, and orientated myself. First stop was the World’s Narrowest House. That’s right, I know how to spoil my family with all the great sites of the world. Anne Frank? Nope. Van Gogh? Nope. This house was the first thing we saw in Amsterdam. The house though, was a bit of a con. Yes, it is proper narrow, but it turns out that it fans out at the back of the house, like a wedge of cheese. Still, ticked it off and away we went.
Next up was Cat Boat. That’s right, a boat full of cats. It’s a rescue centre for stray cats, on a barge on one of the canals. It’s only open to the public a couple of days a week, and we picked the right day! It does smell a bit. Some cats were friendly, some were not. Just like British cats really, but didn’t understand a word I was saying. The kids loved it. The cats less so. It cost a couple of Euros to get in, which goes towards food and that. The workers proper watch your every move, especially Stan’s when he chased the cats! After we left, we noticed he had wee’d out of his nappy, so had to give him a quick baby wipe strip wash next to a canal. Good stuff.
After this, we went to see Anne Frank’s house. Turns out it wasn’t actually hers, more her Dad’s. Well, his mate’s actually. We didn’t plan on going in, just a walk past. Doubt the kids would have wanted to queue to see a large cupboard. I’m a big fan of Anne Frank’s diary. This book could so easily have been lost or destroyed. Amazing that this young woman left such a legacy, explaining a horrible part of our history. I did a play once, of Anne Frank’s diary, in college. I played Peter van Daan, the son of the other family who lived there. Anyway, queues weren’t that long. We walked around the corner and saw her statue. Was alright.
We then walked down to the ‘floating flower market’ or Bloemenmarkt to give it its proper name. Basically, some sheds on barges, selling flowers and bulbs. The same thing repeated 20 times. Like the German Market in Birmingham, but less variety. Oh, we also stood on a bridge from where you can see 15 bridges! You have to turn and look down a couple of different waterways, but that was pretty cool. It must be a world record for most bridges seen from the same spot.
After this, we got a tram to the museum bit, or ‘tramp’ as Amelia called them. Saw Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. Didn’t go in, due to time and kids, but played next to the IAmsterdam sign. Was quite cool! Busy mind.
Heading back to the centre, we stopped in a restaurant called Dante’s. We walked down what seemed to be ‘Stoner Alley’, loads of coffee shops, not much coffee. We went to see a street that was all painted and chalked and looks nice, but turns out it was in the process of being demolished!
We had started to flag by this point and kids were starving. Went to Dante’s restaurant, which had amazing pizza! Really nice.
Had a mooch back, bought the obligatory fridge magnet and postcard. An obsession that has travelled with us through all the countries. Magnet for a memento, a post card for Amelia to take to school, and a postcard for our friend’s sons who collects them.
Back to the bus, back on the boat, back in the car, back home. Oh we stopped at my sisters on the way back.
Where to next you ask? How about 8 countries in 8 days!? That’s right. Road trip. See you soon!