Pancakes by the Canal

I could have had ‘museums’ as a heading because Amsterdam is so full of museums but the pancakes at our hotel are amazing and deserved a headline all of their own. Natalie, our hostess – aka the Pancake Doctor, made us some of her cheese and bacon pancakes while we were waiting for our room – yummy.

We did get an upgrade – from a small canal view room to a large canal view room – so big and what a view!

Then, as the sun was just starting to come out we thought we would head off and see some museums – first the Rijksmuseum with its Dutch heritage, Delft, silver wares and old masters. We watched some tour groups arrive and head straight for Rembrandt’s Night Watch and then leave! So dumb as there is so much more to see there – the audio tour said the silver and gold work was of more $ value than the art, and the Delft violin was a sight to see.

Dutch bruschetta for lunch – one with Dutch shrimp (very tiny shrimp) and the other with gouda, tomato and basil mayonnaise.

Next, the Van Gogh museum with two floors of his art and sad life story.

Then back to our room for a nap before an evening (before dark) canal cruise followed by dinner at an Argentinian grill, very tasty.

There are so many bikes around Amsterdam, way more than cars. You have to really watch out for them as they speed around the streets with riders sometimes on mobile phones, holding umbrellas or with a couple of kids perched in front and/or behind.

Cheesy grin in front of the cheese shop

I knew I left it somewhere!

Rijksmuseum silver statue

The fantastic view from our room

Tulips and little wooden clogs