Wham, bam, Amsterdam!

Those who know me would have heard me talk about going to Amsterdam as returning to the motherland, even though none of my immediate family speaks a word of Dutch.

Nevertheless I was glad to be visiting the home country of one side of my family.

On the first departing Busabout coach of the season, it was a long travel day. We left Paris at 9am and didn’t reach Amsterdam until after 6pm.

Our ride for the next three months, total pimp-mobile

The bus was filled with excited travellers ready to see Europe. About 95% of the passengers were Australian, along with the tour guide.

After lugging our bags to the hostel, we unpacked and ventured out into the streets of Amsterdam.  It is a beautiful city, where the main form of transport is bicycle. The number of times we were dinged by a bike, or accidentally walking in the bike lane became uncountable. Bikes have more rights on the road than cars or pedestrians.

Gonna ride my bike until I get home

Look out, biiiike!

That night as we made it into the centre of town, we could see a large group of people shouting and cheering. There were flares, rubbish and people everywhere. It looked like a riot, and I was scared we had walked right into the middle of it.

Turns out the Amsterdam soccer team, Ajax, had won the championship, and the fans were celebrating their big win. Phew!

A night on the town and we were hopelessly lost deep in the city, looking for the Red Light District. Unlike Melbourne’s grid shaped structure, Amsterdam is shaped like a horseshoe. Who makes a city built like a horseshoe?!

Where are we??!

It was difficult to navigate the streets with a map, wondering which bridge and which canal we were actually crossing, and where each winding street would take us. When the landscape started looking dodgy we decided to head back to the hostel, via McDonalds. Who knew vanilla milkshakes were so good?! Sorry chocolate, you’re out. 

Recovered and ready for a big day of sightseeing, we met a darling friend Ross, who tagged along with us to the Anne Frank House.

Having read The Diary of Anne Frank almost seven years ago in high school, I was interested and intrigued to view her family’s hiding place from the Nazis. It has been turned into a museum, where guests are chronologically guided through the house, and into the secret back rooms.

Anne Frank memorial

There are quotes from the diary on the walls, and videos of Anne’s surviving friends, her surviving father, and those who helped them hide for many years.

The back house was bigger than I had expected, however for the number of people hiding there it must have been quite small. I could never imagine having to stay inside for years, not being able to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

It is evident how intelligent and mature Anne was, and how heartbreaking that time must have been. We are all keen to read or re-read Anne’s diary after visiting the house.

Needing some cheering up we set off to find some pancakes for lunch. Pancakes are my second favourite food, behind pizza, so I was hella excited.

We found a place, not called Pancakes, but Pancakes! Can’t forget the exclamation mark.

The food was delicious. Huge pancakes with sugar and fresh strawberries, what more could you want? Turns out Pancakes! Is one of the top recommended restaurants in Amsterdam. Great find!

Pancakes!

Get in my belly!

We spent the rest of the day wandering around town before getting ready for the first of many pub crawls.

The Amsterdam pub crawl was so much fun. Mostly made up of fellow Busabout Passengers, I have never drunk so much jagermeister in my life.

Dayyyymn girl

We went to six different bars and clubs, where shots were free poured straight into our mouths on arrival. It was ridiculous, and so much fun!

Give it to me baby, uha uha

Kisses for you!

The Ajax soccer fans were still partying, so we happily joined in on the celebrations.

Ajax!!!!

I don’t think we spent any money the whole night; there were too many free drinks. Definitely worth it!

And we got free t-shirts, ohhh yeahhh

Another trip to Maccas, another delicious vanilla shake, and we were homeward bound. 

Our final day in Amsterdam was spent further exploring the city, shopping, eating a second round of hangover pancakes, and finally finding the Red Light District.

Ate most of it before remembering to take a pic, it was just too good!

Enjoying the simple things in life, like colouring in at Pancakes!

We went to the district in the late afternoon, to see there were many women in the windows. It was quite confronting seeing them try to entice men to come and speak with them, and to see some men’s reactions to the women. We didn’t stay very long.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city, with gorgeous people. Everyone is friendly and helpful, and the tolerant nature of the city shines through. I would definitely like to come back one day, and even try riding a bike through the hectic streets. 

Claiming my Dutch heritage,

Nikki