Russian around the Baltic with some spice to finish off!

[Pushka]

And new arrivals just appearing. The next cruise is around Britain (Channel Islands, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin). Will be a cool one and apart from Ireland, the itinerary is of no interest to us so not jealous. Well, maybe just a little bit.

And now our current and limited view of Amsterdam. I have no idea what I am looking at



These canal boats are all lined up next to our ship.

 

[Pushka]

Rooftop gardens




These are the cute sox and cap I bought in Norway. They also had fantastic parkas and T shirts that were not tacky. And a great price. I love the cap as now I've been to all the countries.



I don't think I mentioned it but there was a very large tour group of deaf people. The crew had obviously been trained and some even demonstrated sign language. It also made for some confusion. eg in lifts if you were at the back and needed to get off. Of course the usual 'excuse me' doesn't work. So you physically had to touch them to get them to move as people usually have backs to you in the lift. But the lift doors tended to close quickly so you were often left dashing for the door by the time everyone moved. And no one seemed to connect the dots and keep the 'doors open' button on - just kind of ignored everyone but themselves.

 

[OZDUCK]

And new arrivals just appearing. The next cruise is around Britain (Channel Islands, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin). Will be a cool one and apart from Ireland, the itinerary is of no interest to us so not jealous. Well, maybe just a little bit.

And now our current and limited view of Amsterdam. I have no idea what I am looking at

I have really, really tried but I can't help myself. I have a curiosity steak that I can't overcome.

The lowish curved roof building is the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal - which I guess you know as you are moored next to it.
The tall building alongside it is the "UP Office Building". And I am fairly sure the spired building in the mid-distance is the TropenMuseum (Ethnographic)

 

[Pushka]

Currently in our Hotel Room. Room is tiny. Bed is tiny and against a wall. Mmm. No airconditioning. We do have a window that opens and overlooking the canal. We'll try it for a night I guess. The hotel itself is cute with free tea and coffee. In that funky style. It is in the Jordaan area.

We left the ship around 2pm after a lunch in the buffet. We thought it wouldn't be busy - it's never been hectic when we've boarded before but this time it was a zoo. Way more kids - I'm guessing Europe school holidays.

A taxi to the hotel and checked in. Tiny elevator as per normal. Not much room to unpack so have just taken out the necessities for a couple of days.

Then off for a walk around Amsterdam. Our area is village like and pretty. We walked into centraal and can see why people avoid. One of those grotty tourist meets grotty locals kind of place.

We were heading towards the Red Light District but got sick of the crowds so turned back - or really, turned circles and headed back to Jordaan. One of us has a cold which is unfortunate.

 

[LadyC]

Waving to you from further down Prinsengracht. There has been great weather today here in Amsterdam.
I understand the fridge magnet problem. I forgot to pick one up in Helsinki - now I just have to order one from eBay instead

 

[love_the_life]

Which one has a cold? Not you again I hope.

 

[Pushka]

Waving to you from further down Prinsengracht. There has been great weather today here in Amsterdam.
I understand the fridge magnet problem. I forgot to pick one up in Helsinki - now I just have to order one from eBay instead

We are just around the corner . I took this yesterday at a pub. We are doing a canal tour yesterday that leaves from a cafe here and wanted to make sure we remembered the street.

Which one has a cold? Not you again I hope.

This is a man cold . Not well and just hoping it doesn't go sinus.

 

[Pushka]

So, I'll start with Amsterdam. As LadyC has mentioned - great weather. Hot. But we don't have airconditioning. A tad warm last night. There is a fan. We are not staying in a JohnK special choice hotel but an 'authentic' one.


It's charming but it's not supposed to get hot in Amsterdam. Think modern funk.
Our room is 2 floors up - open window overlooking a canal.




Communal free coffee area.

 

[Pushka]

View to the kitchen for breakfast

It's in a cellar.

IKEA everywhere

A little nook off the kitchen




Our room. It's freakin tiny. Freakin tiny. Like one side of the bed is pushed against the wall. No cupboard. Hanging space for maybe 4 items. No shelves. It's funky minimalist modern. So internet fast.

Gets great reviews on trip advisor but clearly we are too old for such nonsense. We are living out the suitcase. Mine is under the bed. Just 2 more nights so we will deal with it. The location however - perfect.

 

[Pushka]

We ventured out yesterday afternoon to Amsterdam central. It's rather awful there isn't it. Our area is gorgeous. Local neighbourhood and flowers etc in windows.







No need to grow your own



And the street where LadyC is

 

[Pushka]

Canal boat cat






Tackville

 

[love_the_life]

Our room. It's freakin tiny. Freakin tiny. Like one side of the bed is pushed against the wall. No cupboard. Hanging space for maybe 4 items. No shelves. It's funky minimalist modern. So internet fast.

Gets great reviews on trip advisor but clearly we are too old for such nonsense. We are living out the suitcase. Mine is under the bed. Just 2 more nights so we will deal with it. The location however - perfect.

Sounds like the hotel we had in Oslo - beautifully formed but couldn't swing a cat as they say.
Our room in Tokyo this time is huge - sitting area downstairs and bed upstairs- and wonderful air con!
But odd rooms are all part of the thrill of travel. You pays your money and takes your chances.

 

[Pushka]

Last night we had Indian. It was delicious but not spicy.
Onion Bhaji. I thought I would pay for these later but didn't.

Butter chicken and naan


53 euros for 4 glasses of wine was reasonable. The guy smoking the cigar at the outside table - not so much.

As we walked home we saw they had put red tape across our canal. There were guys with hi-viz vests. Please. Not construction. But it turned out to be a film crew.


Did I mention I cannot smell weed? I didn't smell it in Christiania where MrP said it was a fugue and did not smell it in the coffeeshop that grows it outside and people smoking dope inside. I've never smelt it at a rock concert. Yowsers!

 

[Pushka]

Sounds like the hotel we had in Oslo - beautifully formed but couldn't swing a cat as they say.
Our room in Tokyo this time is huge - sitting area downstairs and bed upstairs- and wonderful air con!
But odd rooms are all part of the thrill of travel. You pays your money and takes your chances.

'We' feel better today. Sir's suitcase was unpacked on the bed while I had a shower and now 'we' are organised. Worked out how to turn on the bed lights. We are off to brekky.

 

[Anna]

Great thread Pushka, thanks

 

[Pushka]

Continental breakfast.










This internet is ridiculously fast.

Mr Jordaan hotel is a 17th century home.

 

[Pushka]

Love the traveller message on the blackboard.

 

[Pushka]

Even more organised. Two garbage bags of washing sent off to Hotel laundry - cost 20 euro. Bargain.

 

[RB]

Amsterdam-the home of bargain 5 star hotels on priceline/hotwire if you want decent size rooms.
Enjoying your report and hope the good weather continues

 

[Pushka]

We've just finished a canal boat tour with a difference. Those Damn Boat Boys run by Americans. 25 euro a person and max of 10 on the boat. He gives an eclectic tour of Amsterdam's history and takes you to places the big boats can't go. One of them actually forced us into a wall and just lucky MrP had warned me to put my arm inside as we banged into it. Lasted 2 hours and easily the best way to see Amsterdam. Learnt all the back history of coffeeshops and the red Light District. You can smoke on the boat and of course one guy had to do that. I still can't smell it. . Started off in hot sun then had a mid break of thunder, lightening and rain. Worse than bloody Melbourne.

Photos later as they are on the camera.