Thursday, August 10, 2006

Amsterdam for the 2nd time

If you have read her bibliography you will know who she is – Anne Frank. Having read her story, the Jewish Frank family who hid in the rear annex concealed behind a revolving bookcase to escape deportation during WWII. Now I can finally relate the story after visiting the Anne Frankhuis.

Tulip Museum

and how can we missed the best pancakes in town situated in a historic warehouse? Delicious Dutch pancakes.

Coffee shop – its neither espresso bar nor sandwich shop. Its written at the door of this shop - ‘under 18 F*** off’ cos they are in cannabis business.

Colourful graffiti

 

Redlight District

Lots of bike around the city

Just a steel bridge

My purpose of this trip! The once love of my life back in poly days. 7th ICF World Canoe Polo Championship. France men and Germany ladies top the table this year. Great experience and wished I wasn’t just a spectator (if I hadn’t left Singapore). Weather during that few days was crap – strong wind, rain, storm…downside for our Singapore National Team.

I don’t like these dolls!

I love their cheese…

Volendam

World famous fishing village 22km northeast of Amsterdam. I was here 10yrs ago and nothing have changed since. Even the souvenir shops I used to visit are still there selling the same things. Gain: I went for a photoshot with me in traditional Dutch clothing.

  

Leaving Volendam to Marken

Marken Village. Here you see colourful Kerkbuurt with tarred or painted houses raised on pilings to escape Zuiderzee floods.

Rotterdam

Not an awfully exciting place but just a stop over before I make a trip to Kinderdijk to see windmills.

           Kinderdijk  This mill area was placed by UNESCO on the world heritage list in 1997. Altogether there are 19 windmills here that are of international importance. Do you know the earliest known windmills appeared in the 13th century, built around a tree trunk called Post Mills? Kinderdijk is said to be the best spot and most of the importance types of windmills can be found here. eg: hollow post mills and rotating cap mills.

 

                    Because I’m going straight to the airport later, I had to carry my backpack all the way here and walked the mill areas – tiring.

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