Nanda & Nathan The Travellers: April 2015

April 25-26, 2015 ---- I have always wanted to visit the Netherlands because I know a few incredible Dutch people and would love to see their country. Nathan went to Leiden last year while on his way to Norway for a job interview. He said he saw Amsterdam from the airplane and it was really beautiful and he wanted to visit it one day. Well, it was his birthday weekend, so we went to Amsterdam to celebrate it!

Accommodation: Going to Amsterdam on the King's Day weekend wasn't a good plan. Hotels in the city center were mostly booked up months in advance, and they were extremely expensive. Even cheaper hotels outside of Amsterdam cost over €100 a night. Nathan and I ended up staying at a hostel called Shelter City located right around the corner from Nieuwmarkt. It's run by a Christian group and offers a clean, safe, and drug-free accommodation and hot breakfast for young travelers. Nathan and I each got a bed in separate rooms because it's gender segregated. Our rooms had 4 beds with an ensuite bathroom, and we felt very comfortable and slept pretty well there. I wish I had done more backpacking in my 20s because it was really fun meeting and chatting with those young travelers.

Transportation: There are buses, trams, and a metro running around Amsterdam. A single-ticket is €2.90 and is valid for an hour. A day-pass costs €7.50 and is valid for 24 hours. You must scan your card before AND after boarding the bus/tram/metro/train; otherwise, your card won't work the next time you use it. I think Amsterdam is a walkable city and most attractions are within walking distant of the Centraal Train Station. If you want to go to Keukenhof Tulip Garden, you can take bus # 197 to Schiphol Airport and then take Keukenhof Express bus line 858 to the garden. A combo ticket (entrance fee + transportation) can be purchased online: http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/

Food and Restaurants: When in Holland, go try Indonesian food! This might sound odd, but it's true! Of course, you must try Dutch food like the Dutch pancake, cheese, Heineken, etc. However, if you don't have a chance to go to Indonesia, this is your opportunity to eat the faraway land's food outside of its place of origin. The Dutch colonized Indonesia for a while and brought back the spices and yummy traditional food. There are many other ethnic foods to try as well. Restaurants in the Netherlands generally serve healthy food because Dutch people are big on organic and fresh ingredients. I love Dutch pancakes, and I could eat them every day. :-)

Attractions: There is a lot to see/do in Amsterdam. The city itself is very beautiful and interesting, so you should stroll around and cross as many canals as you can. Many museums are also worth visiting. The most famous ones are Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House. There is always a ridiculously long line to get into the Anne Frank House, so you had better plan far ahead and book the ticket online.

Our Trip Itinerary: On this visit I mainly wanted to see Keukenhof Tulip Garden and walk around the city, so I downloaded Rick Steves's free audio tours for Amsterdam and off we went!

Day 1

Morning: Rick Steves's audio tour "Amsterdam City Walk" (map: Amsterdam Centraal Station, Damrak, Stock Exchange, Dam Square, De Papegaai Church, Kalverstraat, Amsterdam Museum, Civic Guards Gallery, Begijnhuf, Spui, Mint Tower, Flower Market, Singel Canal, Koningsplein, Leldsestraat, Leldseplein)

Afternoon: visiting Keukenhof Tulip Garden

Night: Rick Steves's audio tour "Red Light District Walk" (map: Dam Square, Warmoesstraat, Old Church, Bulldog Coffeeshop, Prostitutes in Narrow Alleyways, Prostitution Info Center, Princess Juliana Daycare, Amstelkring Museum, Historic Amsterdam, Old Wooden House & Old Harbor View, Zeedijk Street & Locks, Sex Attractions, Marijuana Sights)

To eat: Kartika --- have some great Indonesian food here! A Ramayana set is €18 per person and you get to try so many traditional dishes.

Day 2

Morning: Amsterdam Museum and Rick Steves's audio tour "Jordaan Walk" (map: Dam Square, Molsteeg, Torensluis Bridge, Oude Leliestraat, Herengracht, Leliegracht, Keizersgracht, Westerkerk, Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht, Nieuwe Leliestraat, Heart of the Jordaan, St. Andrew’s Hof)

To eat: We went for a burger at ESPRIT because it seemed like a popular place. Food was good.

Our Favorite Sites: We LOVE the city! Simply walking through the city was our favorite part. Keukenhof Tulip Garden is also a must-see. It's the second largest garden in the world and so so beautiful. The Red Light District is quite a shock but very interesting and vibrant. We hope to go back to Amsterdam someday and visit the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh museum.

Our Disappointment: The weather. It was unfortunate to be there on rainy days....