An Amsterdam Adventure

Back in July, my Mum and I flew to Amsterdam for 4 days. It was our first trip abroad- without my Dad and brother- together, which is why it was actually quite an adventure!!

Our flight was 7'olock in the morning, which meant we had to leave for the airport at a ridiculous hour- 3.30m- however, it was worth it because we had the whole day to then spend in Amsterdam. The City is roughly a 30 minutes drive from the Schipol airport, and we arrived at our Hotel before we would have even begun the day back home.

For our first day, we decided to wander around and get our bearings. Our main reason for visiting Amsterdam was to go and see the Anne Frank Museum. I had been wanting to go since I read her dairy (7 years ago), so it was definitely an exciting trip! We walked for miles that first day, we visited Dam, found the Anne Frank Museum, and got lost a countless amount of times!

Dotted around the city are 60- I think- Miffy statues, that different artists have decorated. There was a row of about 20 of them on the Museumplein, which really looked fab. My mum was so excited when she saw them, so I had to take a picture!

Dam was the most touristy area of the city we visited, so we didn't stay too long. We ventured around the square and went to a cafe we had been recommended and had a look in the American Book Centre.

In the afternoon we relaxed by the fountain at the Museumplein, I listened to music and mum read her book whilst cooling our feet in the fountain. Everyone was doing this, it was such a nice atmosphere and everyone was so excited jumping up and down the I AMsterdam sign- I got up and then got stuck so there shall be no photos of that disaster here :)!!!

On the second day we got up super early to get to the Anne Frank House in good time, so the queue wouldn't be so bad. We arrived 1.5 hours before the Museum even opened and there was already more than 50 people in front of us! However, it was well worth the wait, because the museum was incredible.

Inside the house where Anne and her family, and other friends hid, were just empty rooms. This was because the Nazis took everything, and Otto (Anne's father) decided nothing should be added for the Museum purposes, as this for him symbolised the the loss of those who did not return from the concentration camps. The tour of the secret annexe was very emotional, and at the end the Museum had put together a video of famous people talking about Anne and everything that she contributed to the world which was such a lovely touch, and it really showed how inspiring Anne is today.

After, we went for breakfast across from the Anne Frank House, where we sat outside in the glorious sun. The weather was amazing whilst we were away- 27° most days! So of course, I burnt on the first day! Breakfast was amazing, the Dutch really know how to make a good Pancake!

For the rest of the day we wondered around the nine streets- nine streets that have lots of shops and cafes. We loved the nine streets because they weren't touristy, the shops sold handmade items and the coffee was amazing!

By Wednesday we had had enough of just walking up and down the canals, it was time to properly experience them! We took a canal cruise from the Rijksmuseum, and it was one of the highlights of the trip! Our tour guide, Michael, was so passionate and had so much interesting information about the city to tell us. The Amsterdam Canals are like a maze, but he knew them in and out and we winded around the City. He took us down one street, where the houses were so extravagant, which explains why they cost a minimum of 6 million euros! I was gutted when our cruise came to an end, it was so interesting and relaxing in the sun.

We also did one of the Hop on Hop off bus tours, but it was so confusing so it definitely wasn't the best one we had done in a city before. However, it was nice to sit back and enjoy the view of the city rather than seeing it on foot for once!

One thing they don't prepare you for when going to Amsterdam, are the bikes. Everywhere you looked there would be bikes, and the cyclists zoomed past. Every step you took you were fearful that a bike was about to come an take you out- literally! Crossing roads was so hard because you had to check for traffic and cyclists! Amsterdam is voted top for most bike friendly city in the world, but I tell you here, those bikes sure weren't friendly!!!

The four days away flew by, and we were both so sad to have to go home. The weather was fab, the food was fab, the coffee was fab, the sights were fab. The whole trip was fab, fab, fab. I'll definitely go back to Amsterdam again, it was the most beautiful place I had ever been and I totally fell in love with the city.