Amsterdam

Day 32 2/15/99: Amsterdam

We arrived at the Amsterdam's Schiphol airport ( http://www.schiphol.nl/ ) after a 10-hour flight. We actually arrived much earlier than scheduled.

The exchange rate is about $1 for 2 Dutch Guilders. On the Internet Schiphol taxi quoted a charge of 40 to 80 gliders.  Schiphol taxi uses only Mercedes and Volvos! ( http://www.schipholtaxi.nl/ ) However, we took a van since we shared a ride with Anne. Notice the snow on the ground. It was a bite chilly.

We stayed at Canal House ( http://www.canalhouse.nl/home.htm ). It was a very nice place. However, we liked our second room much better.

Here was the breakfast room where we had breakfast the next morning.

Can you guess what this is? The left is a light switch, and the right is the electrical outlet.

We then spent a few hours exploring Amsterdam, especially some shops around Dam square.

What's vacation without a little refreshment? Theresa had a cappuccino, and we split a piece of Sacher torte at Victoria Hotel's coffee shop. The waiter was having a bad day and complained when I asked for more hot water for my tea. Oh well. I guess it's not customery to ask for more hot water in Europe. Afterwards jetlag hit Theresa and I liked a ton of bricks. We returned to our hotel for a 3-hr nap and then a hot shower.

The highlight of the evening was having an Indonesian dinner with Liza and Lois at Long Pura. We had a great time chatting about our past travel stories and about our upcoming adventure.

The food was delicious and served piping hot because the dishes were served on top of a metal warming tray. We had Ayam Base Bali (Balinese Chicken), Gule Kambing (lamb in curry and coconut), and steamed rice.

Interesting decoration. The umbrellas was on top of the ceiling.