Amsterdam

The 'Dam' what a place. Where lovely canals, architecture, and liberal sex and drug laws all come together.

We drive into Amsterdam and got in a decent hour, as it is not far away from Berlin. Dropped at this dodgy hotel on the outskirts of town. The place spelt like spew and wasn't very attractive. There was a couple of Contiki tours so now we understood why the place was a bit rough. Damn those Contikiers know how to party!

Back on the bus into town for a driving tour of the city. It is a beautiful place. It still has some scars from WW2 but really is a very special place. It is an old merchant town. The Dutch were massive sailors and love to travel the world, bring back the best bits of the countries for trade and claim countries as there own! (Van Diemans Land for example) This is reflected in there city with heaps of shipbuilding and the city built next to the port on the ocean and canals spiraling out in semi-circles off the harbour, with the other smaller canals attached.

That's when things got a little interesting. We were shown around the red-light district including the women in the windows. Some shy people were struggling!

We needed to get something to eat and to try some of the local 'culture'. We picked up some and then met up with some of our group for a sex show. This was an hour of pretty good action, although a little pricey. It was a very professional setup with tiered seating, a stage that spins around to see the action from all angles. There was a couple of strips and some full-on couple action. With a couple of free drinks it was OK but prolly would of done something else if I went back again.

We then all met up afterwards for the bus home.

The next day we actually had a plan a bit of a group for the day. Off to Anne Franks house in the morning. That was a very moving experience. They have done a really good job on the place and made it very special. Some very interesting stories in there.

Then it was off to the Heineken museum. We are in Amsterdam of course! This is a really cool place with lots of interactive displays and exhibitions. Will have to upload a few photos soon. I have just sent out the video e-mail that we made there, which was really cool. Included in the price is 3 of heinekens finest on tap as you work your way around the museum. Nat evened downed her first beer! pat on the back for Nat!!! I had to finish the other two that she didn't drink which was a real shame. We were all feeling pretty merry about then.

So off to have a bit more local 'culture' and then some lunch. Turned out that what looked like a nice bar for lunch was a gay bar! Didn't realise this until we had stared to eat. Food was great so that made up for it. The coffee afterwards was even better!

A cruizy afternoon looked at some souvenir shops and stuff. Even a sex shop, which had some pretty crazy stuff in it!

We were meeting up later for the group dinner. This was a massive Indonesian buffet, which really filled us up for the big night ahead. We had a River cruise booked. This was 1 1/2 hours on the canals of Amsterdam, with all you can drink! Things got pretty crazy. Of course Heineken on tap and these Floozel things that were like vodka and red bull shots. Not too bad at all. The staff were very naughty telling us to go hard, so Cam did.... Doh! At least I walked out OK. Getting back to the hotel was pretty funny with all of us drunkens on the tram singing and carrying on. But got back to the hotel and didn't feel too good....

On of the guys on the group had been to the casino and came back with €5000!! He outlaid €500 so it was a pretty good return! Oh no not feeling very good at all.... Off to the shared toilet, up comes the Indonesian in buckets.... Phew feeling a little better now.... Off to bed now Cam, Nat guiding the way... Half an hour later, driving the porcelain bus again.... Finally off to sleep for our drive in Brugge for our last stop of the tour. :(

Cam & Nat

Coming up Brugge, Belgium