“Live your life by a compass, not a clock.”
So, it should be Holland or The Netherlands?
What's the difference between Holland and The Netherlands?
The Netherlands consists of 12 provinces, but many people prefer to use "Holland" when referring to The Netherlands. The 2 of the 12 provinces of Noor and Zuid regions are referred as "Holland". Noord means North Holland where Haarlem is the capital. Zuid means South Holland where The Hague is the capital. Whereas the rest of the provinces of The Netherlands where Amsterdam is the capital.
So, it should be The Netherlands as Holland took up a small share of the whole country.
With an estimated population of 17.7 million people, The Netherlands means "lower countries" in reference to its low elevation, with only about 50% of its land exceeding 1 meter above sea level and nearly 26% falling below sea level. Most of the areas below sea level is known as "polders" are the results of land reclaiming work since the 14th century.
Before I stepped into Amsterdam, I always thought that this is a dangerous city. I was overfed with too many movies and dramas where Amsterdam was portrayed as a place full of drugs, vice, mafia etc. Despite having so much negative impression on the city, my curiosity for Amsterdam grows as i aged.
After my first visit, it left such a deep impression on me that I always look back on the photos I took during the first trip. Fell in love with Amsterdam since then. I do not have any sense of danger at all, not even when I went to the notorious Red Lights Districts, in fact I learned a lot from the place. . I can assure to everyone here Amsterdam is not what those movies and dramas portrayed like.
This is my second visit to The Netherlands. Amsterdam was indeed so vibrant that the city never sleeps. The people are still so loving and friendly, they are willing to strike up a conversations all the time.
Coming from Aalborg Denmark
We spent a week in Aalborg Denmark before coming to The Netherlands for ours's holidays as we just toured Copenhagen twice last year.
The last time we toured in Amsterdam was four years ago, glad that we decide to come here again.
To date, I am still thinking if to write a blog on my most recent trip back to Aalborg.
Sidetrack : For those who do follow my blogs ( Thanks you very much!), hubby and I were residing in Aalborg for six months and we travelled around in the Denmark's regions :
6) Summer Saeby
We took a KLM Cityhopper from Aalborg direct to Schiphol Airport, the journey is about 1.5 hr. Landed Schiphol Airport at 0730am - cannot wait to explore Amsterdam again.
Scroll down further to find out what we been doing here.
At the main entrance of Gate C, this is where the meeting point of all hotels' shuttle service.
Usually the waiting time is every 30 minutes.
Look out for this terminal state "A9-A13", this is the exact spot of meeting.
A bigger view of how the place look like, there is a smoking area right behind this terminal so not to fret for smokers. Take note : Smoking is only allow in designated area, please do not light up anywhere you like unless you are expecting a fine.
Hyatt Place Hotel Amsterdam Airport
This is where we will be coming "home" for coming week.
There is a Macdonald's 7 minutes walk away.
Nearest bus stop is 9 minutes walk away.
Complimentary shuttle service for Hyatt members.
Friends were asking me why I choose to stay in airport region, why I did not choose to stay in the Amsterdam Centraal area.
Firstly, this is a 5 stars hotel, and the price is much cheaper than those hotels in the Centraal area.
Secondly, Hyatt's properties are well known for the buffet breakfast spread.
Thirdly, we daytrips out of Amsterdam every day, except for first day. Schiphol Station is very nearby which direct rides to our destinations.
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| I got a landing view from my room. |
Not to forget, you must get this shuttle bus coupon from the front desk before you board as they need to do headcounts if need to deploy another bus as there might be people catching their flights.
We chanced upon this beautiful cafe when we were on the way to Rijkmuseum. It caught my eyes the moment I alighted from the tram which stopped "right in front". This cafe is located in a park and the tram stop is outside the park that the cafe is just "right across".
We got a table by the river; it feels so cozy to laze at the terrace waving to passing boats.
Here is what we ordered : 2 cappuccinos and a pancake to share.
The receipt is Euro33 which is SGD48 which is considered normal in Europe.
Meanwhile, above are more photos that I got from goggle where I like to share this pretty and cozy place to everyone.
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
The Pride of The Netherlands! The National museum housed the biggest collection of the Dutch history and paintings from Dutch Golden Age which means the 17th century. The well-known painters are Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh etc..
It was originally located at The Hague since 1798 before being relocated over to Amsterdam in 1808. There is quite a big handful of crowds, we decided to skip the queue and just admire the facade of this building.
PC Hooftstraat
"Straat" means "Street" in Dutch.
Locating close to famous museums such as Rijksmuseum, The Van Gogh Museum and The Stedelijk Museum, this super well known 300-meter-long shopping street is name after "Pieter Cornelisz Hooftdtraat (1581-1647)" who was a Dutch historian and poet in 1876. It is intersected with Hobbemastraat and the Van Baerlestraat, it was urbanized as an upper classed neighborhood from horsecar in 1800 to electric trams today.
For the past 10 years, PC Hooftstraat has developed to become one of the most expensive shopping streets in The Netherlands. International designers' labels and independent Dutch brands opened their doors here. Even the residential units here are also among the "most expensive" ones in Amsterdam.
Additional Notes when buying Louis Vuitton
Per person is only allowed to purchase one piece of Monogram bag. This is the standard rule in Europe. You will be only allowed to get another Monogram bag after about 4 months later. Check with store - they have the records. As per advice from the staff in LV, above rule applies only to those who are going for VAT refund. If you not going for VAT refund, getting second Monogram bag is not an issue as it cost at least SGD500 cheaper than the store in Singapore.
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| Mr Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft |
Full Moon Garden Cantonese Restaurant
Located along Leidsestraat, it is another usual Chinese Restaurants I always been to.
Awesome decorations in Chinese, staff are friendly and nice, and they are well verse in Cantonese.
Food is decent , typical taste I always had, and I am rather satisfied with it.
But the BBQ pork ( Char Siew ) - usually I had it served thinly sliced but here it is served in chunks. Perhaps the price is higher than what I usually had, that is why it is in bigger portion.
Leidseplein
It means Leiden Square in English. This square is located in the central neighborhood of Weteringschans in Amsterdam.
Leidseplein is a great place for a night out, beside various dining and drinking option, there are cinemas, disco, theatres, casino and even coffeeshops (that place that sell weeds) located barely stone's throw distance away from the square. Summer is ideal to relax over a drink at the terrace of a cafe with great entertainments like musicians and mime artistes.
Kalverstraat
Between 1486 until 1629, cattle markets were held here so it got the name Kalverstraat which means Calf Street. It used to be the center for livestock trading. But today, there is not a single sign in the street that will link to Livestock markets 600 years ago. Today. it is another busy shopping street in Amsterdam.
Chinatown
A Chinese neighborhood in Amsterdam which is located in the old city center since founded in 1911, making it the oldest Chinese quarter in the Europe. Here we can find most of the shops from the Asia region, easily to get stuff from dining to household products.
There are even street signs in both Dutch language and in Chinese language as well.
Amsterdam Centraal station, Dam Square , Red Light District are within short walking distance.
Not to forget to stop by the canals here, all deserve a snap and an adoration.
China Sichuan Restaurant
Been nearly away from home for 2 weeks, Boss is dying for "rice".
We were attracted to the "Tibetan" theme and decided to go in for a meal.
The Taiwanese waiter is very friendly and served us well. This place gave us a "deja vu" feeling, it seems we experienced before. It is kind of amazing feeling. We found out that there is another similar restaurant nearby with the same name too. This similar restaurant was visited by us on our first trip to Amsterdam. So coincidence, we end up same food at the other outlet.
Red Light District (RLD)
De Wallen is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Amsterdam, it is commonly known as the Red-Light District. It has been around since the Middle Ages and is an interesting place for people to understand the sex workers doing their jobs. As soon as the sun sets, red neon lights will bright up throughout the streets and the place will come alive. Must visit at night to admire the glory.
Prostitution is legal (These workers pay tax) in The Netherlands but not on the streets. That is why there more than 300 window brothels, sex workers in Amsterdam stand behind a glass window within their own room to attract their clients.
Warning : 1) Please show respect by not googling rudely. It is just another job in The Netherlands.
2) No photos taking, otherwise your handphone will be snatched and throw into the canals.
3) Beware of pickpockets
In the daytime, De Wallen is just like another neighborhood. Though It is not as lively as the night, the ladies behind some of these glass windows are still operating. There are people living and working in this neighborhood.
The Red-Light District is a must visit during your trip to Amsterdam. For more information and some photos, please refer to my previous blog : beside touring around Amsterdam, we went to Gierthoorn, Zaanse Schans, Nijmegen and the very famous border Baarle-Nassau which is between The Netherlands and Belgium : Amsterdam, Nijmegen & Aalborg
Smoking Weed (Cannabis) in Amsterdam
If you want a coffee, please go to a cafe.
If you go to coffee shop, this is not the place for coffee (even they do serve), It is for smoking weeds or buying weeds related products. Per adult can purchase up to 5 grams. The cost of weed is between 7 Euros to 20 Euros per gram, depending on the grade of weed and the location of purchase. Considering, you stayed within the walls of the coffee shop; smoking weed is respected. Instead of smoking, you can also consume weed in the way of tea, water pipes, cake, or candy.
Warning : 1) Though you are allowed to buy weed in coffeeshop, you are legally not allowed to carry more than 5 grams with you at a time.
2) Make sure you empty every single leaf of the weed before you leave The Netherlands. You might be charged once you reach the next destination.
Note if you want to visit a coffee shop :
1) Smoking tobacco is not allowed.
2) Not selling any alcohol.
3) Illegal drugs are not allowed.
4) Only 18-year-old and above are allowed to enter.
Majestic Cafe
Located at the outside of de Bijenkorf mall - walk around the perimeter and you will see it.
Summer in Europe is not a joke. We just wana laze around instead of walking around in the town since we been here before.
Love this cafe, it indeed lives up the slogan. "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places"
Amsterdam Centraal Station
Do not confuse with another station in Amsterdam - Amsterdam Centrum.
Amsterdam, Centraal station is the largest station in Amsterdam, serving an estimated 192,000 commuters daily.
Been standing here welcoming people all over the places since 1889, it is a Gothic Renaissance designed station by a local architect - Pierre Cuypers who also designed Rijksmuseum, seom well known churches and monuments here.
Centraal Station is not just a station, it is a mega public transport hub. It has service for trains, buses, trams, canal cruises. The station luggage lockers are open daily 24 hours, 7 days a week. If you want to use a cheaper option, there is an independent Amsterdam luggage storage 5 minutes' walk from the station building. There are convenient Information desks at the entry and numerous vending machines sell train tickets to other stations in the Netherlands. Service Centre sells international train tickets (open: 6 am - 11 pm). Lost luggage desk is directly at the lockers vault.
Above few photos are taken at Schiphol Airport. This venue is a hidden gem - "Panoramic Terrace".
The place offer an expansive view on the runways and various of passing planes. There is even a retired KLM Fokker 100 on display. The terrace can be reached from Departure Hall 1, look out of the sign. Easily reach by lift or stairs. The terrace is open daily from 0700 - 2100, it will be closed in due of bad weathers.
Schiphol International Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol airport does not belong to Amsterdam, it is not located on Amsterdam's soil. It is located on the land of Haarlemmermeer who then are the one responsible for what going on in the airport.
The main airport of The Netherlands is the third busiest one in the Europe. The century old Schiphol airport is a single terminal with 3 large departures halls, it was opened since 1916 as a military airbase.
We have come to the end of this blog, please spare some of your time to visit my other blogs of The Netherlands 2022 where we visited The Hague , Rotterdam , Kinderdijk , Naarden ,Muiden and my favorite Haarlem .
Feel free, you are most welcome to browse through my other blogs to France, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and cruises etc. I will be deeply blessed if you can like my facebook page:: followblueginger
Keep a lookout for my next blog, we have already purchased our air ticket. Here are the previews of the photos I got from goggle.
Thank you for dropping by.
Wish you good luck. 😄
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