Amsterdam (Netherlands) - 'Amsterdam: The city Venice sees when it dreams'

Amsterdam (Netherlands)

21 July 2022

There's a hell of a lot to like about Amsterdam, it's as simple as that. I'd only ever been to the city once before where Inga a & I spent 5 days in a lovely canal on the equally as charming Singel canal in the centre of the city. Unfortunately for me, on this occasion we only had the opportunity to spend one overcast and drizzly afternoon, moving at the beck and call of a tempestuous city that inherently knows how endearing and attractive it is, but still walks on with that 'ugly duckling' syndrome.

Having been based in Leiden for the past few days, a mere 50kms away from this urban marvel, it would have been a sin not to have allowed ourselves the opportunity to spend some time immersed in its allure.

Amsterdam presents itself as dynamic, progressive, historic, charming, vibrant, cosmopolitan, quaint, eclectic and a raft of other adjectives....and it lives up to all of it. In my first few steps from departing Amsterdam Centraal station I recalled saying to Inga on a number of occasions, ' I forgot how great this place is'. Even in the rain, even with such a limited time constraint, the canals, the houses and the environment is just intoxicating. It's certainly a special place.

Unfortunately we only had a long afternoon to enjoy our time here but we know its going to be a place that we'll return to at least a few more times in this lifetime - lets go to the photos.

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Hard Rock Cafe - Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Amsterdam to Leiden train - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden (the Netherlands) - Quintessentially Dutch

Leiden (the Netherlands)

20 July - 23 July 2022

This part is always hard. I remember leaving Belgrade as a kid, there was always that inherent sadness from my mother who knew that it was going to be another long year before she'd see her family once more, there was me that felt emotional for leaving my cousins behind, and then there was my dad who had to deal with the tears. There's a degree of the emotional upheaval or turmoil when you come to that realisation that your time is up and you have to leave, for Inga, its the inevitable sadness of walking away from her family and an old life and moving forward once again to the new life that she has created in Australia. This part never gets easier but the small saving grace was that we were heading now heading to Leiden, a town situated approximately 35kms south-west of Amsterdam, where her sister lived, and where we would be kindly hosted for the next 3 nights.

Air Baltic flight for Amsterdam - Latvia flag livery - Riga International Airport - Riga - Latvia

Aiden rolling on his JetKids Bed Box by Stokke - Riga International Airport - Riga - Latvia

Walking the halls of Amsterdam's Schipol international airport was like entering purgatory for suitcases. Rooms and halls were piled high with these temporary mobile storage units from the sea of travellers who had past through the airport in one way or another, but whose luggage had not been adequately tethered to their owners for ongoing legs of the journey. 

In this new post-covid world where we were all trying to return to some sort of sense or normalcy, the misidentified, misplaced or simply lost luggage of thousands of travellers was simple testament to the impact that covid had had on all facets of our lives, and also, how far we needed to go before we actually arrived at 'normal', or in fact, the 'new normal'. 

The stories that we had heard of the carnage at Schipol was all very true. Lost luggage overflowing through its corridors and extraordinarily long queues snaking their way both without and outside of all terminals. It was a scene.

Thankfully we managed to move relatively swiftly through the arrival / luggage pick-up process and was meant by the partner of Inga's sister, Wouter, who was kind enough to pick us up from the airport.

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Aiden playing with his cousin - Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

The next few days were spent predominantly in Leiden. Quite a picturesque, attractive and in some ways spellbinding town. A place that seems to effortlessly blend blends history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as the birthplace of the renowned painter Rembrandt van Rijn, Leiden easily captivates visitors with its enchanting canals, cobblestone streets, and stunning architecture. In many ways it is the quintessential Dutch city, offering a serene escape from the bustling pace of nearby Amsterdam. Certainly the allure of Leiden lies in its serene canal networks adorned with graceful bridges, flanked by rows of elegant 17th-century buildings that boast an array of vibrant hues, reflecting the city's rich heritage. When the sun is shining and the weather is moderately warm, its hard not to find a more affable and relaxing setting than grabbing a drink or a meal on the canals in the centre of town, simply watching life move on by whilst occupying a place on the waters' edge.

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Steeped in history, Leiden's past is a tapestry of significant events. It's famed as the site where the Pilgrims found refuge before sailing to the New World on the Mayflower. The city's prestigious Leiden University, one of the oldest in Europe, stands as a testament to its intellectual legacy. It's cobbled streets act as the perfect introduction to the imposing Hooglandse Kerk, a majestic church that dates back to the 15th century, which is both a prominent and much loved landmark of the won.

The essence of Leiden emerges not only from its iconic landmarks but also from its vibrant cultural scene. The city hosts a myriad of festivals, art exhibitions, and events throughout the year, infusing the streets with an infectious energy.

Family dinner - from left to right - Henry, Inga, Aiden, Anastasia, Veronika & Wouter

Leiden Centraal station - Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Leiden - the Netherlands

Our time there was really very pleasant, and once again, we have to say a big thank you to our hosts, Veronika & Wouter, who saw it to make our stay both comfortable and thoroughly enriching.

Aiden at Amsterdam Schipol airport - he already knows 'what's what'

All queues at Amsterdam Schipol airport were mind-boggling - there were warnings that the expected wait time from entry (in queues outside the airport) to past security were (4) hours.

Amsterdam Schipol airport - Amsterdam - the Netherlands

Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi - splitting Riga & Serbia - about 10kms about Eastern Austria or Western Romania

Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi

Beautiful coloured sky - on the way to Abu Dhabi

I haven't seen much of the Netherlands, but from the places that I have seen, there is just a beautiful balance of history and beauty that to me makes it a very special place. Without question, I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

Amsterdam (NETHERLANDS) - the monkey is coming out of the sleeve

Amsterdam (Netherlands)
10 March - 15 March 2016

The Dutch, their cup simply runneth over. You've got to ask questions about the lucky Dutch. Are they in fact plain lucky or is it something else, is the thing we see as luck something that they've allowed themselves to earn?

Inga and I arrived in the land of the giants. A population of tall, svelte, nubile people. All moving within their picture perfect capital city, effortlessly gliding without acrimony on their two wheeled transport vessels, their birthright. Walking from the Amsterdam Centraal we bypass a squall of earnest pedlars, mostly well dressed, flowing naturally through their unashamedly beautiful city. Damn you Dutch people, I've been here 5 mins and already I envy everything about you.

Dragging our luggage down Singel street, directly adjacent to a canal, I was already in admiration of the set-up. Beautifully manicured ordered streets, possessed by meticulously groomed individuals going about their day, treading along intricately paved paths in front of equally gorgeous canal houses, which are in fact, as tall, svelte and attractive as the people around here. You quickly ask yourself, 'were these buildings made in the image of themselves' or was it the other way around, somehow? Standing tall, slender and proud, each building in its place, as correct and beautiful as the next. Once again, 'damn you Amsterdam'.

Overlooking Singel canal - Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Our home for the next few days was the top floor of one of these buildings overlooking the canal. We both thanked our genetic make up upon entry as we discovered that what also goes with these tall, thin houses are equally as impressive staircases that you literally need to climb like a ladder. Some are so tight and have such a pitch that you wonder how the an man of average height (which here is 1.83mtrs) would be able to manouevere in such a space.

Now when people think of Amsterdam within two logical steps they get to the  concept of the famous 'coffee shops', 'sex shows' and so to the inevitable commentary on how liberal the Dutch are seems to bubble to the surface. First, its true, the coffee shops are hidden in plain site and much the same as sex workers, obvious but hidden. The way in the Netherlands, it appears, is that things operate with reason. The Dutch are pragmatic for the most part and also appear to have level of tolerance to most thing, driven by their pragmatism. To me it make sense, and to rational people this philosophy makes sense. Overt interference by the state can come unnecessarily. With a lot of things that other countries attempt to regulate and suppress, when the state is overprotective and attempts to interfere unduly with personal choice then those choices simply get made in other ways, with less openness. Unreasonable interference only means loss of control and loss of the ability to inform, the alternative therefore, is tolerance with openness, information and the ability to actually regulate. To me it looks like the perfect combination. What you need to be available is there, you don't have to be subversive in your desire to access these things and thus there exists a society where all is cool Hunny Bunny.....once again, damn you Amsterdam.

 Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

                                                               Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

The canals of the city are amazing. They form a labyrinth of intriguing water ways that gives this city a totally different dimension. Aside from the 'chilled' sense of the streets, as traffic in the city centre is more occupied by a fleet of cyclists than cars, the canals provide an additional layer of calm and serenity whilst allowing the town to be framed in a way that's very different from other place. With over 100kms of canals in the city Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North, but to say that it somehow relegates the city to a position of inferiority. This place is just more 'epic' and makes much more of an impression than Venice. That's a simple fact.

                                                                 Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Inga loves Amsterdam and it didn't take me long to completely understand why that is. It a gorgeous place. Of course, we both contemplated our love, several times, a few of the many cool coffee shops that punctuate the city. I have to say...not problems from my side, puffing up a level of tranquility in a city like this just seems to be as fitting as having a glass of Malbec from your favourite asador in Buenos Aires. I recall on one particular evening as we made our way back to our canal house on Singel that I became acutely aware of my own personal frame of time in the greater context of time, as perceived by individuals around me, or should I say, as I perceived that individuals around me would perceive my acts within their own framework of time. To put it in plain English, the MJ had messed with my motor skills and I felt kind of wasted, although I had a huge hankering from some fries! And man, fries are on every opposite corner here, and right next door, more often than not, a place that makes waffles!

Amsterdam - Netherlands

Amsterdam - Netherlands

On one of the days we actually left the small village feel of Amsterdam and spent a day in the surrounds of another small village, Leiden. Inga has a sister that lives there and we spent the day cycling around the area within what I believe was the national park (Nationaal Park Zuid Kennermeland) near Haarlem, finishing off our day in the town of Leiden for a tour, some red hot bowling and even better apple pancakes. So for that I have to give a big thank you to both Veronika and Wouter for being our guides for the day.

Haarlem - Netherlands

Haarlem - Netherlands

Leiden - Netherlands

                                                                  Leiden - Netherlands

Again, Leiden, like its big sister Amsterdam, is another gorgeous town. Once again, my pangs of jealousy abounded when I started to realise that all of the Netherlands could quite possibly look this way, and there I was, sitting back with only Belgrade to support me, realising that it indeed is much more than luck that can bring you to this position. In Serbia everything is a problem, its either difficult, not worth doing, not as good as somewhere else or there some type of rort happening. Serbians defraud themselves. Luck only really follow those that work for it, those that earn it. The Dutch, it appears, have earned it, and to that you can only give them credit and say, your luck is my respect.