Scootoir

Amsterdam Monday December 5

We arrived in Amsterdam in the wee hours of the morning and docked near the central train station. After breakfast we had a shore excursion which included a boat tour of the canals and a walking tour of a neighborhood. Our group walked to the canal boats nearby for a one hour canal cruise. It was clear and cold which made for some good photos. I appreciate the through glass setting on my camera to take photos through bus and boat windows.

After cruising the canals to see many bridges, bicycles, houseboats and typical Amsterdam architecture we got off the boat for a walking tour that began and ended near the Westerkerk (West Church). This walking tour was much better than Ama’s bus tour last year. We were able to walk down small side streets to view old buildings up close. Our tour guide took us to a shop for samples of raw herring—I skipped this local treat. We were also near the Anne Frank Museum and were able to photograph a statue of her. We had seen the long line to this museum from the canal boat.

The buses returned us to the ship for lunch although we could have chosen to stay in town and find lunch on our own. In the afternoon Mr. Wonderful and I walked to the taxi stand at the train station nearby to take a cab to the Van Gogh Museum. With limited time this was money well spent. We had our vouchers that the ship’s concierge purchased for us online. There was no waiting even though we did not have a timed entry. The museum is arranged chronologically on three floors and we decided to start in this order on the ground floor. It was busy but not packed allowing us to enjoy the works. It was almost overwhelming to see so many great works by Van Gogh in one place. I loved Almond Blossoms, Daubigny's Garden and the painting of his bedroom in Arles. I was really struck by a floral still life in blues, red and white that would look great in my living room. ;-) Before leaving we had tea, coffee and delicious walnut cake in the café called Le Tambourine. Sorry Viking but this was the best dessert of the trip. I checked out the gift shop while Mr. W. picked up our coats but there was nothing I really wanted except perhaps a print of one of the paintings which I think I can find online. I should have purchased a bag of the “Potato Eaters Crisps” as I could not believe my eyes when I saw them. Vincent must be spinning in his grave over that.

We walked to the other side of the Rijksmuseum and found a taxi stand then took another cab to the neighborhood just south of the train station. The Viking Daily featured a souvenir shop in this area but its supposed “tasteful souvenirs” seemed to be the same key chains and magnets sold around town. We bought a few magnets and walked back to the boat via the train station.

We had a lovely last dinner with friends we had made from Canada and Kansas then had to finish packing. Only a few things were breakable but since so much of what we bought are gifts we took great care with them. I brought a large quilted bag to carry these and could keep it at my feet on the flight home if needed.

jacketwatch

Perhaps things in general are more entertaining when you are younger especially when you look back on them. .

You know you had a great time when something that reminds you of your trip gives you pangs to go back. We had 5 days in Singapore last Feb. before our cruise and had such a great time reminders of it make me want to go back. Hopefully some day.

Great TR. Really enjoying it.


Larry.

Scootoir

Departure Tuesday December 6

Last night’s Viking Daily showed us that we would leave for the airport at 11:00 a.m., the last group to depart. Our bags on the other hand had to be in the hall by 8:00 a.m. and we had to vacate our cabin at that time. The earliest group left at 5:00 a.m. and included another couple from Southern California. They were flying on KLM while we would travel to Paris for a flight on Air France. We had breakfast then spent a couple of hours in the lounge reading, on our tablets, taking some last photos and saying goodbyes. There weren’t many people on the last bus and it was a short drive to the airport. At Schiphol Airport it was easy to check in, print boarding passes and check luggage at the kiosks. We had a cup of tea at good ol’ Starbucks before the short flight to Paris then a layover at CDG of just over 3 hours. I managed a little shopping including a bottle of Angelina’s hot chocolate for my sister who loved it when she ate there some years ago.

Our return flight on Air France was not on an A-380 and premium economy was not quite as nice as on the newer planes. It was missing the big storage unit below the window. The flight was fine, I slept a little, watched a movie and waited until we were back at LAX. Re-entry wasn’t bad and we soon met up with the shuttle driver and were on our way home.

I was very glad we made the trip and I have my fill of Christmas markets for a while. I would like to make a future trip by train from Paris to Strasbourg, Colmar and Riquewihr one day. I enjoyed the cruise perhaps more than Mr. Wonderful who wants our next trip to be independent. He thinks we may want to do another river cruise when we are older. Viking would be my choice over AmaWaterways based on cabin comfort and service.

Scootoir

Here is a link to some photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/206929...39382566/page1

jacketwatch

Your pictures show how quaint these Xmas markets are and gives me an idea about seeing some of these one day.

Thanks again for your TR. I did enjoy reading it.

Cheers, Larry.

Scootoir

You are welcome Larry. At my sister's request I added locations to the photos.

jacketwatch

Sorry but I didn't see locations.

Scootoir

They should show up in the lower left corner when you mouse over. Not sure how it appears on a phone or tablet.

jacketwatch

OK. That way I see it on iPad.