We packed our bags and left them in our room and headed out for breakfast, it was about 9am, but apparently Amsterdam does not get started too early after a big weekend and most shops and restaurants were still closed or just opening for the day. The amount of rubbish lying around was incredible! It was like the MCG after a big match! We went into a café where the waiter informed us that the barista had not turned up as yet, but we could smoke if we wanted to. (Not a normal smoke, either, guaranteed to make you feel good and costing 4 euro). We didn’t take up his offer and around the corner we found a beautiful clean bakery and had a waffle with fruit and a coffee. It was yum!
Everything is so narrow and crowded while we were sitting having breakfast we watched a truck try to pass by where another truck was parked unloading timber for some renovations being done in the shop across the road. Two trucks just do not fit past each other in the narrow streets of Amsterdam, at least not without folding in mirrors and moving bikes onto the footpath. We went back to the Hotel and checked out.
We walked to Lee and Michael’s Hotel as it was close to where our boat was moored and we left out bags in their room while we went to check out the boat. We found out we could take our bags there early and board at 3pm. A lovely rooftop bar and a drink later and we took our bags to the boat and headed off to investigate Amsterdam a little more. Lee and Michael went off to the science museum and Gerard and I boarded the hop on hop off bus for a tour of the city. We got off near Anne Frank Museum only to find we should have bought tickets on line or joined the queue of 200 people waiting to purchase tickets at 3.30pm in the hopes of getting in. Not worth doing as we wouldn’t have got in anyway.
We found a café and had a sandwich and a beer and headed back to board the boat. We got back about 3.45pm and our bags were waiting in our cabin, which is small, but on the top deck, with a big opening window and just ideal. A cute ensuite and everything you need as well as a very comfy bed. We went to the lounge for coffee and cake and the welcome instructions. Dinner was a casual four course affair and we were joined by Ivanka and Sonia, two 80+ year old ladies from Adelaide, one an Italian and the other Slovenian. Both visiting family after the cruise and with their accents and attitudes it was hilarious. Almost like Faulty Towers. The food was fantastic and our waiter was great. Your wineglass is always full to the top.
We retired to bed and slept like logs.
