Journeys Far and Wide - Amsterdam

Ooops sorry for my lack of posts in a while, I have been pretty busy with life and as a result this little corner of the internet has been neglected somewhat. But I am back - yay - to tell you about my trip to Amsterdam :)

Nick and I went over to Amsterdam in March, and as you can see from my previous post, I did a lovely bit of retail therapy which is essentially all it takes to make a trip worth it for me haha! But it was also gorgeous, so all in all it was worth hopping over the North Sea.

Now, I actually didn't take that many photos really, so I haven't got too much to show, but it was a great trip and really nice way to get away. I've wanted to go to Amsterdam for years but it's sort of never really been high on my list of priorities for whatever reason. But after we went to Brugge on the P&O mini cruise last year, I suggested to Nick (who had already been in his younger years) that we do the same but go to Amsterdam instead. It's just such a cheap and easy way to get there that there's actually very little excuses you can make to not do the trip! 

So, in early March off we popped on the boat over to the Netherlands. With Amsterdam we decided to stay over an additional night so we had two full days and one night there. Mainly this was just because Amsterdam is obviously much bigger than Brugge, and also, the coach that takes you from the port (Rotterdam) to Amsterdam actually lasts about 2 hours so, this greatly eats into the time you really get to spend in the city (unlike the mini cruise to Brugge, where Brugge is literally about 15 minutes down the road from the port). We stayed in the Inntel Hotel, which is really near to the station (where the coach drops you off) and is in the perfect location for exploring.

I bought a mini fold out map before we went but it really wasn't as good as the maps they gave out free in our hotel (and I imagine would be relatively easy to get hold of from any hotel or tourist information). The map they gave us had all the essentials on it, and was extremely useful for working out which tram to get to where. That is actually the one thing I would advise anyone going to Amsterdam - make use of the trams!!! The first day we walked around, mainly because we were keen to have a good look at everything, but later on that day and definitely the second day we just trammed it everywhere! 

My Amsterdam Recommendations -

1. THE FLOWER MARKET - Without a doubt. Very pretty, loads of Amsterdam souvenirs (aka utter tat) but well worth a visit! Also, the street that sort of runs parallel behind the flower market (Kalverstraat 176) is great for shopping.

2. The Heinekien Experience -  this was Nick's choice (obv!) but such a surprise for me, I actually really enjoyed the whole thing. It had minimal boring beer making talk, and had loads of interactive things to do. Plus, you got a few free beers so winner!

3. Anne Frank Huis - we didn't go in because the queue was insane, and I didn't want to get too upset (I've read her diary and never fully recovered), but I felt like I wanted to go and pay my respects and see it. I'm glad I did but it is quite harrowing.

4. Walk down the canals - you can find some great side streets with antique shops which are always good for a browse.

5. Red Light District - now, this is a bit of a controversial one but I would say it is worth a look. Now, I am in no way an advocater of drugs, and definitely not of prositution, but it is just so culturally different to England over there it's something I had to see. I managed to walk around a few little streets with the girls in the windows, until I got utterly freaked out and made Nick take me back to our hotel haha.

I would like to note, we also went to the Van Gough Museum, which was okay (great gift shop) but didn't completely blow my mind so I probably wouldn't recommend it unless you were really into art and such like!

If I were to go again, I would definitely go to the Amsterdam Dungeon, eat at Vlaming Eten & Drinken (which is meant to be one of the best restaurants in Amsterdam, but was sadly closed when we went, boo), visit the Bible Museum (weird, I know) and go on a boat ride!

I hope this was mildly interesting reading for my return to the 'blogosphere'. I have a few posts in mind for the coming days/weeks that may be a bit more serious than what my blog has had on it before so it might be a shock!

Until next time :)

Amsterdam haul time!

(L-R - Pimkie black polka make up bag €7, Heineken glass €free!, Monki phone case €6, Six phone case €6, Flormar Matte nail varnishes €3, Hema lasting finish nail varnish €2.50, Van Gough mirror €2.95, Van Gough tray €7.95, Hema Kohl Eyeliner in black €3, Hema Longer Lasting lipstick €4)

(Monki kitty hat €7)

I wanted to show the world the things I bought in Amsterdam (a post about the tip will be up shortly) because I am a essentially, a haul junkie. 

I'd just like to point out, I bloody love shopping on the continent, it is awesome. The clothes shops are great, mainly because we don't have the majority of them over here and it is a refreshing change (although Amsterdam did have about a billion H&M's). And the beauty shops are amazing, they have entire shops dedicated to brands I have never heard of and everything is so reasonably priced! 

The above beauty products were both bought from shops that only stocked that make - why oh why can't they both come to the UK?! The amount of nail varnishes available in Flormar blew my mind, they had everything you could ever want, I could have stayed in there all day but was quite aware that I had already dragged a very patient Nick through numerous beauty shops so I refrained. But then I found Hema and had exactly the same experience! So cheap, so well merchandised, and such a selection. Aaah just thinking about these two shops makes me feel very happy (lame but true).

Six is probably my favourite shop I have discovered in Europe, it is accessory heaven on earth. I first went in Brugge in October and then when I found it in Amsterdam too I thought they must be a really big company (which they are) and was convinced they'd deliver to the UK, but alas, sadly they don't :( they don't even have an online shop! Come on Six, get with the times!!

The mirror and the tray were both bought from the Van Gough gallery, which we went to feeling we should try and be at least a little cultured, but I must admit it was pretty dull. I'm not really "into" art (and neither is Nick) so I'm not really sure why we spent €15 on going to an art gallery?! So anyway, I just bought things in the gift shop instead. These two are my favourite designs from his paintings, the mirror is in 'Butterflies and Poppies' (with a name like that, what's not to love?) and the tray is in 'Almond Blossom', which I actually really enjoy. 

The Monki buys were so good, that shop is just great. I know we have them in the UK but as far as I'm aware, there are none anywhere in the vicinity of where I live so I only go when I'm in London. I love cats and when I saw the phone case I totally had to have it! The top kitty reminds me so much of Buddy (mine and Nick's little fluff ball) that it made my heart hurt with cuteness and love so I couldn't leave it. Plus I am a sucker for phone cases. The hat I don't even think needs an explanation. It is quite possibly the best thing I have ever bought. Ever. So lets end this post on a picture of me wearing it in all its glory.

Until next time :)