Boats, brown cafes and NDSM

After my visit to Rijksmuseum I went on a scheduled boat tour with Those Dam Boat Guys.

TDBG is a tour of the Amsterdam canals in a more casual way. They encourage you to have “supplies” with you (whatever that may be) to relax. It is as educational as you want it to be. Our particular tour guide told us some general things but kept it light.

It was a beautiful day so we really just took in the views.

Our boat guide recommended a brown cafe right by where our boat tour ended so I decided to check it out.

Brown Cafes are historic Dutch pubs that get their name from the brown color inside (said to be a result of years of smoke).

After a long day of sightseeing in Amsterdam I decided to see some local flair. I took a boat ride out to the NDSM. NDSM is a former shipyard turned hip spot.

I want a salad

What is wrong with me?

I am in the land of awesome tapas and I keep thinking about how I want a salad or vegetable dish.

My first attempt at ordering salad at a nicer restaurant resulted in a plate of tomatoes and some burrata. While good, didn’t exactly meet my vegetable criteria.

Finally I find a restaurant with this masterpiece….

Goat cheese salad with beetroot dressing

It sure did hit the spot. Things you take for granted in your non-traveling daily lives – like easy access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Rijksmuseum

**Militia Company of District VII** by Bartholomeus van der Helst

The Night Watch by Rembrandt being analyzed

Jan Weenix

Paul Heermann

Johannes Vermeer

Ferdi

Dam day two

On day two in Amsterdam I had a very nice breakfast on my boat where I got to chat with both my Airbnb hosts.

It was time to head off early for the free walking tour I booked Free Dam Tours. It was an informative introduction to the city and worth the 20 Euros (Free but it is customary to tip).

After the tour I was starving so I decided it was time to try a pancake for lunch. Of course I had to do a savory one because I am weird like that and rarely get sweet cravings.

Next up is Pozenboot.

I arrive at Poezenboot at 1:30 PM and it was good thing I didn’t arrive any later since they just about distributed all the visitation tickets for the day. Poezenboot is only open 13:00-15:00 PM and only on certain days. Visits are first come first served and limited in size. Luckily I got in.
What we have is a cat rescue and sanctuary on a boat house in the Amsterdam canals. It is kitschy and fun. It was a good visit but most of the kitties were sleeping.

After kitty town it is time for the long walk to Moco where I can see artists such as Banksy, Kusama and also below.

Keith Haring

Daniel Arsham

Finally I decided to wander through Vondelpark before going back. It is a pretty park.

It was a long walk back. Phone is dead luckily I made it to the circular road that directs me to my airbnb. It is still about a mile away but luckily it is straight shot- no more veering off in the wrong direction by following the canals.

Poor feet so beat up. I have the best sleep I have had in a long while.

I’m in a convent

My trip is all wanting to try different experiences when time and budget allows. It just so happens that in Gent Belgium I decided to stay in a Carmelite convent.