AMSTERDAM - DEEPAK ABHA MASHINDER - JULY 2011

Mashinder put us in his car and off we went to a drive of over 500 KM to Amsterdam. And what a wonderful city it was. Just when we finally parked the car and had walked a little way across a bridge, the rain clouds loomed over the sky. We took refuge in a little shop and were pleasantly surprised to find that besides souvenirs, chocolate, coffee and trinkets, they also sold tickets for a Canal Cruise. Soon the clouds receded after a slight drizzle and we were on the Cruise Ship, cruising along the canals of Amsterdam.
I was amazed to see the extent of canals which crisscrossed the city. We passed many monuments and other constructions along the way and covered a very large portion of Amsterdam. The cruise ship was completely covered with glass covering so we could get a great view on all sides. We admired the many bridges the most. At one point one could see 7 Bridges simultaneously while going down one of the canals. Amsterdam is a city meant for Tourists.
Everyone spoke English so we did not feel like strangers. The entire town was full of hundreds of shops selling an amazing variety of things ranging from dolls, postcards, paintings, do-it-yourself kits, coffee, great confectioneries, great food, and what not what not - not to forget the clothing stores. The roads were perfectly maintained. The whole local population of Amsterdam seemed to be riding on bicycles. No one ever crossed the road on a red traffic light, including the pedestrians. The architecture was enchanting. Mashinder had been there many years before, but he remembered the narrow by lanes of Amsterdam and took us across to that sector of the city.
Marijuana is allowed to be used in Amsterdam and there were shops selling reefers of Marijuana. We also bought one to smoke when we reached Hepstedt for the experience, but no one remembered it so it was never smoked ha ha.
The day was reaching a close, but we had time because Mashinder had booked us into one of the Hotels near the Schipol Airport, and we could get a train to town very easily from there. The hotel also had a bus which took passengers to Schipol and back, so we could roam all around Amsterdam till late night.
The next day we again went to town and saw new areas. In one of the lanes there is a house which has many many bells covering its walls and all the bells ring simultaneously at a particular time. Many tourists were waiting for the bells to ring. Amsterdam also has lots of famous places like Madame Taussads, and many museums where the Great Dutch Masters great paintings are displayed. Since we had only a two day stay there, I chose to see the Museum of one of the Greatest of the Dutch Masters - Rembrant!! I will write more about that museum which is in the original house where Rembrant lived. Suffice it to say that it was an experience like no other!!