July 25, 2015 - Amsterdam - Saturday Market

This morning as the guys went and had their coffee they saw that a Saturday market was set up just around the corner from our houseboat.

So of course we had to go check it out.

This was a much better market than the one we had visited yesterday.  They had fruit.

Salami

and Stroopwaffles.

They also had clothes, bread, fish, cheese, jewelry, cosmetics & hygiene items.

It rained off and on during the day.  So we spend most of the day in, catching up on laundry.  Elaine and I headed out to the store to pick up some milk and on the way back we had to wait as the bridge went up to let a boat through.

These guys didn't mind the rain and the cold as they were riding their beer bike.

We much preferred our choice in getting massages.  Since all but one of the beds were taken, Elaine & I got foot massages, while Roger got his massage.  Of course he had to just wait for us while we had our massages afterwards.

While we were relaxing inside it was storming outside.  At least four trees went down close by.

We did hear later that someone did die from a tree hitting their car during this storm.

July 24, 2015 - Amsterdam - Views Around Town

This morning Fred and Elaine let us use their Hop-on Hop-off bus pass since they were doing a canal cruise.  If you are going to do the bus you definitely do not need more than one day.  This city doesnt' really lend itself to this type of tour. 

Amsterdam Zoo

This car is like a Smart Car chopped in half it is so small.

Well we went and met Fred and Elaine for lunch and to give them their passes back. After lunch we purchased tour tickets for Sunday and then decided to go to a flea market.  They took the bus and we walked.

As Roger and I were walking to the market Fred and Elaine passed us on the bus, but we still beat them there.

The bunny on this guys shoulder was our favorite thing that we saw at the flea market.  We had actually walked through the whole flea market before they showed up.  We happened to meet them just as we were finishing the last row of vendors.

There are some interesting people in this town.

July 23, 2015 - Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum & House of Bols

Today we once again went our separate ways.  Elaine & Fred did the Hop-on Hop-off bus and Roger and I headed to the Rijksmuseum.

Of course we couldn't go on an empty stomach so we stopped for a late breakfast. Roger went for an English breakfast and I had a traditional Dutch pancake.

 A submarine

 I have to say the little girl came out in me at this museum.  My Fisher-Price people would have loved living in this kitchen.

 If you haven't noticed I really like stained glass windows.

 And my Barbie's would have loved this house.  These were amazing!

 Roger remarked that the Library looked like it was from Harry Potter.

 This picture makes me smile.

 I don't like the bugs in this picture.

 I'll take one of these tea sets also, please.

So I have to say that I was very glad that I went with Roger to the Rijksmuseum it is probably my favorite art museum that I have visited.  It had so many other things to see besides paintings.

We came out and saw these boys playing in the water fountain.  They were having a great time.

 Of course you have to take a picture in front of the I Amsterdam.

 Then we walked over to the House of Bols and did the tour.

These were sniffers.  You would pump the air through so it would send out the smell of what was in the bottle.  The object is to see if you could figure out what flavor it was.  I only got a couple of them correct.  They had also had some tasting tests were you put some strips in your mouth.  One was how visually you taste things and the other was you smell how you taste.  I really wish I hadn't done that one as it was anise and when I unplugged my nose I could really taste it and I HATE black liquorice.

 This was the best part of the tour.  Included in the price of admission is one cocktail

 and two tastings.  I really liked the watermelon.

Can you believe we did not purchase anything?  It's only because we can buy it at home.

 After being on our feet for hours now we get to walk home.  

 At least the views are pretty and the weather is beautiful.

We actually met Elaine and Fred out on the road they were headed to the store to buy some milk but I had stopped at the store on the way back and bought some.  We dropped the milk off at the houseboat and then went to dinner at a Mexican food place on the corner and then walked to get some ice-cream.  As you can see Roger is in the pisser.