Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Amsterdam

So hello from the near continent.  Flight over was fine (if slightly delayed) and I had a centre seat (which I don't normally like) but was sat between two rather attractive gentlemen which made the whole experience bearable.  Flight time is only 55 minutes but there is an hour time difference.  This hour difference kicks in during the walk from the plane to the baggage reclaim which takes about an hour!  Had no problem finding the Aged Ps and everything went smoothly.  Train ride to Amsterdam Central and then a taxi ride (taxi driver to die for) to the hotel. Why are Manchester taxi drivers so unattractive? Someone needs to do so something about that...

Amsterdam is cloudy, wet and not very warm - not unlike Manchester and Swansea so we feel right at home.  Hotel is nice but small - all Amsterdam properties are small and tall.  All down to the tax system.

Didn't have time to do much yesterday but today we're off to the Botanic Gardens (yay) this morning and then this afternoon Ill be going to the Hermitage whilst the Ageds will be taking a canal boat tour (which I've done on previous visits). Then it'll be time for a rest before dinner tonight. Tomorrow is the Rijksmuseum but I'll update y'all before that.  That's all.  J x

4 comments:

fig said...

ooooh the Skinny Bridge!

Unknown said...

Ooooh - do tell all about that trip, Fig...

Unknown said...

would appreciate brief reports on hortus botanicus and hermitage (Rijksmuseum is a must anyway) as I'll be in Amsterdam a week today. Hope you don't mind acting as scout and trip adviser...

Jonathan said...

Horus Botannicus worth a trip as long as you expect it not to be as good as Kew (nor indeed as good as The National Botannical Garden of Wales). Didn't do The Hermitage in the end. Did a canal boat trip instead. That isn't as good as billed though but, on balance, worth the money simply for the unique perspective it gives you on Amsterdam. And you have to do the Indonesian rice meal.... J x