God save the beer
We really liked Dutch pubs, also, because they seemed to have most of the warmth of their English cousins, but without the closed-in darkness.
Here’s a very pretty cappuccino, all the more remarkable since it was served in a place called “Beertown.” We thought Dutch coffee was really good, espresso strength, but in a larger cup than the tiny little thimbles you get in France.
Yes, see, you see how heavy it is? I have been holding it like this for hundreds of years. With only one hand! Of course I have complained to the union, but nothing seems to change.
The stern carvings on the replica of the Dutch East Indies trading ship Amsterdam.
A barge in the harbor, taken from our tour boat.
Multilevel bike parking structure near the central train station… As big as the parking garages you see at many US airports.
If there’s one aspect of Amsterdam I didn’t already talk about enough, it’s the bikes. They are everywhere, and people ride them to every location, in the most carefree way… No helmets, no uncomfortable drop handlebars, just hop on your bike, Load your family and/or your groceries, and go there. Our guide book said there are more bikes then people, and that more than 20,000 bikes end up in the canals every year.
Most of the major roads are equally divided: one lane for bikes, one lane for cars, and space in the middle for trams/buses.The bike lanes are generally the most crowded.
This is my strategic face
Afternoon in Oosterpark
A scooter is fine, if you can’t afford a car.
Another fine knocker
Brattleboro Adventure – the Auckland Edition 