Amsterdam - Day 4

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Our boat stayed overnight in Amsterdam so we have another day to enjoy this beautiful city.

First up was a canal boat ride, something we had put off because the weather was never quite right.

It was a delightful ride along many of the areas we had already visited. 

Our boat started in the harbor where we saw the performing arts center with the city logo "I AMsterdam." 

Then we passed by the former Jewish marketplace with historic photos.

Out in the harbor we saw "the dancing sisters" - houses that are sinking and seem to be holding each other up.

More harbor scenes with men out for their daily constitution.

Looking through this arch, we can see the alignment of "7 little bridges."

We traveled through a very expensive residential area, with much larger houses.

Our canal tour ended at Museum Square where we had been yesterday, but it gave us an opportunity to see the park behind the museums.

 We saw the sculpture "Self Portrait of an Artist" by Joseph Kilbansky. 

And the other side of the Van Gogh Museum.

In a garden behind the Rijksmuseum was a water fountain. I am in the center and staying totally dry.

Then we boarded a bus. No time for a city tour because the Rhine water levels are low and we have to meet the boat outside of town.

We did go to see an old windmill which is also the place where Rembrandt retreated to sketch.

We boarded our boat along the Rhine and headed upstream (yes, the Rhine flows north - we are traveling south).

We relaxed this afternoon and were treated this evening to a string trio - 2 violinists and guitarist who are extremely talented.

Amsterdam - Day 3

Saturday, August 25, 2018

We awakened to another day of drizzle, but I would not let it deter me. I decided to go for a walk before the streets got crowded and see a few more things. Ed stayed in the room to relax.

Our hotel is by the train station, which is also near the waterfront. Thus a walk from here is the starting point for walking the old town.

The rain cleared so I was able to take some photos of popular landmarks. Here are some of the best:

The train station, built in the late 1880's in neo-Gothic style on reclaimed land that was once the harbor mouth.

Facing from the train station is Damrak Street, the main thoroughfare.

To its left is a docking area.

Some houses come straight down into the water.

Walking along are more beautiful canals with locks to control water flow.

Here is a good representation of the different gables along the rooftops that hide a pitched roof. These are simply decorative elements.

My walk took me into the Jordaan area, an older section of town. I was able to walk down 3 of the "nine little streets," which is a delightful shopping area. Good news - stores weren't open and I don't shop.

I ended with a photo of the Magna Plaza, the old post office with similar architecture to the old train station. Inside is now a major shopping center.

Then Ed and I checked out of our hotel, bidding goodbye to this great view from our balcony.

We caught an Uber to the Rijksmuseum, our event for the day.

We were very impressed with the experience.

Housed in a beautiful and sprawling 19th century neo-Gothic building, this art museum houses the best of Dutch painters such as Rembrandt, Steen and Vermeer. There were also some other surprises.

We had a delightful lunch in their cafe and explored the high points. They allow photography so here are some to share.

The most famous is Rembrandt's "Night Watch," 1642, which takes up the entire wall at the end of the "Gallery of Honor".

Other Rembrandt's are there including "The Jewish Bride," 1665-1669.

Johannes Vermeer is represented by "The Milkmaid," 1660,  and View of the House in Delft," 1660.

 Steen - "The Merry Family,"

Toulouse-Lautrec - his first poster for the Moulin Rouge, an instant success, 1891.

Monet - "La Corniche Near Monaco" -1884

Van Gogh - a self portrait - 1887

The only woman represented was Therese Schwartz - "Portrait of Lizzie  Ansingh," 1902

The final highlight for us were two very elaborate doll houses made for wealthy families in the late 1600s. They have survived almost 400 years in tact. They are noteworthy not only for their beauty but because they are perfectly proportioned.

Then we picked up our bags from the hotel and headed to our boat, the AMA Prima with AMA Waterways. We arrived in time for a lovely dinner and off to bed.

Amsterdam - Day 2

Friday, August 24, 2018 

A full day in Amsterdam. Fortunately, the rain had subsided but it was very cool and windy.

We decided to walk anyway to our first activity of the day -- a tour of Anne Frank's House. Boy, has this place changed from when I was here 48 years ago.  This first photo is the outside of the original building. But now they have torn down adjoining buildings and built a huge building on the corner, in effect, covering all of the old building behind the facade. You can see from this photo how a new entrance has been created. However, once in, the rooms are the same is they have been for decades.

View across from Anne Frank's House

Statue of Anne Frank in front of Westerkerk Church, below:

The story of Anne is well-known, how 8 Jews hid in the annex behind her father's business from 1942-1944. They were supported by 4 employees who risked their lives to protect them. When discovered in 1944, near the end of the war, all were sent to concentration camps. Anne's father Otto was the only one of the annex's inhabitants to survive. The Germans had destroyed everything in the annex but somehow left Anne's diaries and a box of family photos. Otto made it his life's work to publish them.

First we toured the warehouse and office space in the front, which has been greatly restored. Then we saw the original bookcase and how it hid a smaller than normal door leading to the annex. We went through a small hallway to 2 bedrooms and a bath. Then we climbed some very tiny narrow stairs to the second floor with the living room/kitchen/bedroom and one very tiny bedroom. The 3rd floor or attic is where they stored their food and where Anna often retreated to write.

The new museum space had some nice exhibits related to Anna's family and the war. It also ended with a video of people saying what the exhibit meant to them. 

Then we took an Uber to the Van Gogh Museum.

We stopped for lunch at the modern art museum next door.

The VG Museum is an amazing collection of about 200 of the artist's paintings, most of it on loan from Vincent's nephew, (also named Vincent).  He inherited them from his father Theo, Van Gogh's brother, who died a year after the artist.

VG is considered one of the most influential artists of the impressionist movement, but he only sold one piece during his lifetime. Most of his important work was completed in the last 10 years of his life, often completing a single painting in a day. He produced more than 2,000 pieces of art in his lifetime.

We were not allowed to take photos but Ed snapped one of me in front of a self-portrait for social media. 

I also took this one of his famous "Sunflowers" in the gift shop - a very bad replica from the original. The best part of seeing Van Gogh's originals is observing the textures which give such life to his work. The sunflowers were painted with only 3 tints of yellow- but he knew how to make them work. 

A final one is "Orchards in Blossom in Arles."

Then we took an Uber back to the hotel to rest. I took a short walk while Ed rested. Then we walked through "The Red Light District" just to say we did. It was super crowded on the sidewalks and there was very little happening - only saw 2 women trying to lure clients into their den and the rest of the businesses were subdued.

Thought the idea of cannabis ice cream was interesting.
Afterwards we ate dinner in the Sky Lounge at our hotel. The views were the same as in our room which is directly below. We thought we could watch the sunset, but instead it rained. Glad we were already back.