Day 12 - Amsterdam

It's a clear, cool morning. Perfect send off to Switzerland and onto The Netherlands.

Early morning train out of Luzern

Not as many trains run through here

An hour later we're at the Zurich airport

Quite the large airport

One more chance for German pretzels for breakfast

There's a full mall in the airport

Yes everyone buys flowers

Small food court

Actual full grocery store

Did I mention everyone loves pastries here

$31 for this. At home it would be $20

Bye bye Switzerland

An hour and a half flight from Zurich and you're in Amsterdam. The train is 15 minutes and costs $5. By contrast a taxi will be 30 minutes and run you $90.

And the bikes....

... two story bike racks

My lovely hotel

Interesting hallways

Old newspapers

My quaint room

Love the fairly descriptive and accurate map of the city

Light rail right outside the room

The building below was the home of the East Indian Trading company (remember that from your history classes?).  All the money that the East Indian company collected came right here.

Lots of cheese available for sampling in any store

Of course tulips. $1 per cut flower

The canals are so pretty

 

You're more likely being hit by a bike than a car

Is that massive boat going to fit in there?

Yup

Boats can be booked for a 'harbor cruise' with full bar

The random flowers are stunning

Completely wild, grew up through cracks in the sidwalk

The Belgium chocolate is to die for here

Where to begin

Nice stroll back to the hotel with my chocolate...

... canal on one side, tree-lined path to the other

The quirky architecture is fun to admire

Oh fine, one treat for dessert

This country is beautiful. Yes there is legalized prostitution and marijuana sales but it's also very embracing. Much like your house when you're not going to have company over - it's a little dirty, it's a little odd but because of that you feel comfortable to put your feet up forget the day. I've missed it here.

Tomorrow - taking a friends recommendation and visiting a town an hour away. We'll see if this person is still a friend tomorrow night.