Candelight Cruises on Amsterdam Canal (Part 1)

Do you know that you don't have to go into the sea to do a cruise? In Amsterdam, you can do what's it called, a canal cruise. During my trip to Amsterdam, our tour group sign up for a canal cruise with one of the cruise operators, Candelight Cruises. The cruise dock is located straight in front of Heineken Museum. 

This is how the cruise looks like. No, it's definitely not gonna be as big as those Royal Caribbean's cruises. The canal won't fit. XD

A few metres in front, there is another canal cruise operator called Hop On, Hop Off Canal Cruise. If you prefer to stop here and there along the canal, this kind of cruise is probably more suitable for you because the cruise will often stop at each docks scattered along the canal. 

As for Candelight Cruises, the cruise will make one round along the canal. So it will come back to the same dock where you board the cruise. 

The weather was kinda dull that day but at least the rain is not very heavy. Spotted a unique building along our cruise. It's probably a museum or an exhibition hall because it looks pretty huge from here. 

We passed by a really big cruise ship (just like those Royal Caribbean's size). I've never been on a huge cruise before but I figure it will be kinda boring to just stay on a cruise for a few days so I haven't really signed up for it, yet. Oh, the big cruise can pass by at this area because this is the section where the river and the sea merges.

There are so many more to see from the canal cruise. Stay tune for the part 2. =)

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Museum Visit to Coster Diamonds, Amsterdam

"Diamonds are forever. They are all I need to please me."

But the thing is, they can be too expensive to own. And for those sharing the same fate, we can always go to a diamond shop/ museum in Amsterdam called Coster Diamonds. Coster Diamonds has been around since 1840. As you can see on the sign, entrance is free so there's nothing stopping you from the diamonds. 

When you step into Coster Diamonds, you will be welcomed by diamond crowns. Coster Diamonds was actually involved in the creation of historical masterpieces, like the re-polishing of the Koh-i-Noor, mounted in the Crown of Queen Mary, the real one being stored under heavy surveillance in the Tower of London. 

Yup, they are the only the imitation of the real ones here. 

Details are listed below the glass case. 

The guided tour lasts around 40 minutes and before we know it, we were already outside the museum section. There is also the shop section in Coster Diamonds where you can purchase diamond embedded on jewelleries. 

Since I was getting bored waiting for the rest of the tour mates while they were browsing around the diamond jewelleries, I took the opportunity to take picture inside the giant wooden shoe. 

I am more interested in the shoe than the diamond. A total oddball. Or simply a poor tourist. Hahaha. 

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Red Light District Amsterdam, The Rossebuurt

When you are in Amsterdam, I am sure one thing that pop up in your mind is "so...where's the red light district?". Well, answering your question, we are going to visit the place...in the morning, unfortunately (or, fortunately?). Right, the three words on the display of that store seems to indicate that we are heading to the right place. 

It looks so quiet in the morning. Well, no surprise since I am quite sure the alley is so happening last Friday night. Photography (especially toward the display window where women from various nationalities show whatever they are supposed to show) is banned at night. But since we come here in the morning (when the alley looks tame), it's harmless enough to take out your camera. 

There are so many kind of shops here. From video porn, sex shops, museums to a brothel. The sex shop is very hardworking indeed as we noted that it already opens so early on a Saturday morning! Surprise surprise. Early birds get the worms, I suppose. 

A flying nurse. Ah, okay, that will do the trick I guess. Crap, it kinda reminds me of those zombie nurses from Silent Hill game. Okay, at least this one is not from Otherworld and hence, not bloody and stuff. 

The sex shop in Red Light District of Amsterdam sells a lot of "interesting" stuff. Do note that these are not your normal chocolate chip cookies. No kids inside, please. XD

Cannabis lollipops. Only in Netherlands. 

Funny T-shirts. Damn men. Hahahaha.

If you are wild enough (or curious enough, or naughty enough), do visit the RLD at night time to see what's really happen here at night. Watch out for pick-pocketers! 

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The Old Centre District of Amsterdam

The Old Centre District is the most visited spot in Amsterdam by tourists. It is known for its traditional architecture, canals, shopping and many coffeeshops (and interesting shop too, ahem). Earlier on, we just visited Dam Square (which I suppose is kinda like the centre of the city centre?). From Dam Square, we are taking few steps further to explore the old centre district of Amsterdam.

Nothing beats the smell of a baked croissant in the morning. *sniff* *sniff*

The city looks serene and quiet in the morning. It seems that the locals had just had a wild night the night before. After all, it is Saturday morning. 

By the way, do you know that Amsterdam has a lot of canals? In fact, its three 17th-century canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. Thanks to that, Amsterdam is also known as the "Venice of the North". 

Passing by the canal, we spotted a pretty interesting shop. What does the shop sell, we wonder?

Oh boy, let's just say the shop is selling "grass". And, what's with the autoflowering thing??? Oh if you are a fan of smoking "grass", it is considered legal in Amsterdam. 

Amsterdam seems to be a very interesting city indeed. 

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What to do in Dam Square?

My first impression of Amsterdam? Well, for a start, it's grey. For a moment I thought I was in London. But hey, could not blame the weather, right?  Second, the locals do not wake up so early on a Saturday morning (well, neither do I under normal circumstances). Oh well, I guess this will make taking picture is way easier because there are lesser people photobombing you. 

If you are looking for a photospot area in Amsterdam, you may want to go to Dam Square. It is located right in front of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. The palace does not open that early though. Oh well. 

At the left side of the palace, there is a museum of Madame Tussaud. It looks pretty big from the outside. Madame Tussaud is a franchise and it has museums in other countries too like London and Hong Kong. I've been to one Madame Tussaud in Hong Kong and it was quite fun experience, really, taking pictures with the wax figures. 

A few buildings away, there is a big building with the logo "De Bijenkorf". De Bijenkorf is a shopping mall. It does not start the day that early too. Oh well, bye bye shopping in Amsterdam. 

Right in the middle of the square lies a monument, The National Monument of Dam Square.

On the front of the monument, there is a relief entitled De Vrede (re: Peace). It consists of four chained male figures representing the suffering endured during the war. 

"Here, where the heart of the fatherland is, may this monument, which citizens carry in their heart, gaze at God's stars."

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Schipol Airport Experience in Holland

Twelve hours up in the air and I have finally arrived in Holland. Long hours flight really makes my butt sore. I can't imagine how many hours I have to sit in the plane if I go to, let's say, Canada. Ouch! Okay, enough about imagining sore butt, let's find out my Schipol Airport experience in Holland. 

Schiphol is the name of the international airport in Holland. My flight arrived pretty early around 8AM, hence, not many people spotted in the airport yet. 

The airport is apparently sponsored by Johnnie Walker. Thanks, anyway, Johnnie! Don't drink and fly, ok! 

The bus for my tour group was not ready yet. So we ended up loitering around Schiphol Airport. I saw a random truck with the words "fresh frozen yoghurt" but I guess the yoghurt truck was not opened for business yet. U_U.

Our bus has finally arrived within 15 minutes of waiting. We immediately started our city-tour. There were only 20 people in the tour so we pretty much have a lot of space inside the bus. Everybody occupied two seats by themselves. Hahaha. 

Can't wait to explore out the city of Amsterdam! Woot! 

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A simple hello

Hello! Let's hope this blog lasts...longer than its predecessor. XD

The suspense is really killing me! Hope I can travel soon. ^^

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