Amsterdam - Day 2

We are staying in a self catering apartment in Hilversum, 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam. It is the centre of Entertainment and Media industry in Netherlands. The late night the night before, and a little over indulgence in Dutch beer and red Portuguese wine meant that we woke up well after 9;30 am. The view of the garden from our bedroom of the self catering flat was energising.

Again, it was a gloriously sunny day. After a quick light breakfast, we went to the local supermarket.

Quiet area. On our way to the local supermarket.

Local supermarket, 20 minutes walk from our flat.

Spoilt for choice. Plenty of food for vegetarians and vegans.

Great houses, solid with many windows.

Clemencia outside the house. Our flat is behind the house
 overlooking the garden.

Me posing for Clemencia. Great to be able to wear
 shorts. Temp 30degC

After lunch at about 2;30 pm we took a train to Amsterdam Central. Hundreds of bicycle parked outside the station in Hilversum..

More bicycles in Amsterdam. We learnt that about 2000
 bicycles a year fall into the canal every year.

While in Amsterdam, we decided to do some street photography and a canal cruise.

A man to the left engrossed in his thoughts while finishing his lunch

A man lost in his thoughts. In the background many people are
on their smart phones, I guess for many reasons. I
wish I had bought shares in major mobile companies
 ten years ago! :-)

Reflection of people, walking on the floor, on the mirror
 in the ceiling - Amsterdam Central station.

Amsterdam central. A modern, busy railway station.

Spoke to a delightful family from Hong Kong having their lunch.
They were happy to be photographed. I gave them
details of my blog. From the left, Errol, a music
teacher; in the middle, Catherine, a physiotherapist working
 in London. On the right, their mother, Ida, a retired
nurse. All having a great break in Amsterdam.

We met mark, waiting for the free ferry to go across the canal.
Friendly chap; gave us info on where to go on a canal cruise.

More bicycles. Some bicycle parks take over 2500 bicycles.
Must be a nightmare to locate one's bicycle after a long
day at work or long few hours of shopping.

CANAL CRUISE. Lasted for an hour showing us many places along the way. To much to remember and write about here. Here are some pics....

Appropriate name!

A boat looking for Loch Ness Monster in Amsterdam!

Clemencia enjoying the cruise.

A guy with friends and family. He told me they were from Sri Lanka. 

Great bridges. Reminded me of Venice.

Love this building. Couldn't get a good view from the boat.

Clemencia, relaxing, over a cup of tea, after a boat trip!

In a cafe, observing, after a cup of black tea.

 WALKING IN AMSTERDAM...and enjoying observing and taking pictures.

Amsterdam Central Station in the background.

Great to walk by the canal.

A house boat in the background. There are many on the canal.
Now not allowed to put more on the canal.

Someone's talent is visible!

We ended up in a show, and a street party. This man, very happy to
be photographed....and welcoming.

A street party...

Friends having a drink!

The Dutch and tourists know how to enjoy. Drinks flow freely.
6 Euros/small beer!

Meet Christain in his three-week old mobility scooter!

Great example of diversity!

Brizilians, settled in Netherlands. Great dancers!

Police officers, Rene and colleague, happy to pose with Clemencia.

A shop window...a place for tatoos. Many creative designs!

One of the canals!

Love the reflection

Two guys preparing our Chinese meal at Wok to Walk

Great name!

People relaxing by WW2 memorial!

We are posing with a street artist, without clothes except to
cover the private parts! Cost: 2 Euros!

You can't do without sunglasses. Sunny until quite late.
A change from Highlands weather!

A busy vegan joint!

Not posing for me. Just thinking!

Busy day! Looking forward to Day 3!

Harish Davda - harish.davda@hotmail.co.uk