Drum Exhibit at Tropenmuseum

Hortus Botanicus Photos

Public Transportation

Most major European cities have a great public transportation system and with some thought you can minimize your transit expenses. The larger cities that I've visited offer a variety of transit usage. One of the easiest is to purchase a day ticket (or multiple days). Now if you are going to be all over the place this may be the way to go, but think about it why wear yourself out in the transit for it will take away from enjoying why you are there.

I say consider what you want to do in the city that you are in for the days you are there. If you can cluster things that are in the same area together you can get a trip ticket about 1,50 Euro this will get you in the area where you are spending the day and pay another 1,50 Euro to get back to where you are staying. These tickets are typically good for one hour travel. For an example in Marseille the day ticket was 5 Euros. The port area is about a 10-15 walk from where I was staying so I took the metro and bus to the La Boule Bleue facility outside the area for the 1,50 Euro spending time there including having lunch then returning to the port area for the other 1,50 to do the boat thing and the other things on my list, came out to 3 Euros.

Now while in Amsterdam I knew that I was going to be popping all over the place and with my Iamsterdam card it includes transit card but you can also purchase it separate. You can get around the City's center pretty well by foot but the tram system here is great. You can also get a trip ticket which is good for the hour. So if you are going to several museums along with a few other activities get this one.

With some planning figure out what you want to do within reason and you will find you can save a nice piece of change over the course of a few days. You can find great maps with points of interests, streets, and even transit information for 2 Euro (great investment). If you don't plan on coming back you can give it away to someone making their day!

The "Iamsterdam" Card

Although I have been to Amsterdam a number of times I always like to get the "Iamsterdam" card. I think it is a really great buy and a nice way to see the city. They have three different ones you can get 24, 48, and 72 hours. Make your way just outside the train station to the tourist information. I personally like the 48 hour one which comes out to 48 Euros if the stay is around 5 days or so.

To make good use of the card on a 5 day trip, I would suggest when you get your card also pick up a 24 hour transit card. When you arrive in the city hit the tourist center, pick up the map, and make your way to your hotel, guesthouse, hostel, houseboat or whatever accommodations you make. If it is a distance for the first tram trip pay the regular fare. Refresh and regroup yourself then head out and navigate the streets/canals in your area. If you can arrange the free canal ride through the St Nicholas boat club to help with your bearings. Bring your map, some post it notes, and pen along with you.

On day two use your day transit pass to further explore the city making your way to some of the free sights and things to do. By now you will have picked up the local magazine "Boom" which suggest a variety of other places you can check out. Spend the evening in the square for nightlife and many nights during the summers, free outdoor music.

I would wait 48 hours before you leave the train station to activate your "Iamsterdam" card which includes a transit card. The idea is to use it until you depart making it your last ride. Some of the things in the book that you receive is not associated to the time restriction so it can be used during on days outside the 48 hours. There is no way you will get to everything you want to do that is part of the city card.

During this trip I made it to the Hortus Botanicus (prior to this trip it did not work out for me to get here) and I am so glad. It was cool to see them pack so many different variety of plants from around the world in such a small space. The layout was awesome. The next stop was the Hermitage but on this day they were charging extra for a special event, so at the last minute I went to the Tropenmuseum which was really neat. I only had an hour but could have stayed half the day. They had exhibits from all around the world. Also there was drums set up on stage which was breathe taking. I wanted to come back for the performance later that evening but had previous plans. I spent a few hours at the Heineken experiences and went for a 75 minute boat ride. Stopped at a bar for a free drink....I had the Cherry Liquor.

I was able to get a few more short activities in, took advantage of a restaurant discount, and did some light shopping at a discount. Even though I've used the "Iamsterdam" card over the last 4-5 visits to Holland I will always get one because I think it is a great buy and if you plan it right you will get well over your monies worth. Using the map will also save you lots of time. Find the main map that has the transit routes in it.

PHOTOS TO COME LATER

(Having trouble with photo program)

The Heineken Experience

I've been to the Heineken Brewery here in Amsterdam 3 times during my visits here. The first time in the 80's, again in the early 90's and on this trip. They recently made some major upgrades according to the literature. In my previous experiences here the tour was lead by someone who showed you around leading you to the Beer hall for all you can drink and finishing up in the souvenir shop.

I have to admit going in I had some judgements but as I allowed myself to take in each segment I found it to be quite interesting. Basically you go through a piece of the history and process at each station at your own pace. The first part was films and different information parts. The first real person in the tour seemed to be a bit boring explaining that process like from a script. Only could take so much so I moved on to the room where they have the big copper tanks. There was an interesting guy who explained to process before they add the yeast that creates the alcohol. You could even taste it at this stage. This guy was very funny cracking all kinds of jokes. He had been there a long time and he shared some of his insights that helped me to enjoy the rest of the tour.

It was cool to see the horses and then came to a part that was 4D, kinda like a ride of you becoming the beer. They let so many people in the room at a time I found it to be a fun addition with the different effects along with the educational process. I can't really describe the sensation it is something you have to feel for yourself. Afterwards we went to a bar where they taught us more about beer like a beer tasting with little glasses. They had some other experiential things I skipped on by because of the mass of people. I like the room where you watched the bottling and you can have your name put on a label in that process for 5 Euros. You end up at the bar for your 2 beers. A different feeling than when I came before because you did the tour with a group of people ending up in an old fashion type bar having beers with people you may have gotten familiar with during the hour tour.

The gift shop was quite large and well laid out. Of course I liked the old tour because of the personal touch and the all you can drink Heineken. This new high tech experience does have it perks with new layout which makes it easier for people to spend more time in some places and skip over other things. I think it is worth a visit for the first timers.

Welcome Back to Amsterdam

I left Mons, Belgium about 7am and arrived back to Amsterdam just after 11am. Having 2 days before I head back to the states I had my time laid out and with the 2-day Iamsterdam card I wanted to get the most out of it. I showed up at Maes Bed & Breakfast in which they took me to another one of their properties that sits along the Singel Canal.


I already had reoriented myself to the city with things to do so I had a good idea as to how I was going to spend the last few days in Europe. I settled into the my room and relaxed with some fresh coffee Vlad made for me with a croissant.

Few More Days w/My Babies

So here it is almost at the end of my European trip when I stopped for a few more days in Belgium spending some time with Annick (my niece) and her lovely family. It was nice and relaxed for me. Gave me an opportunity to connect with the kids which was cool. I really appreciate the extra effort my niece did for me to make me comfortable and content.

Family Visit-Saint Maur

Always a pleasant visit when I am in France is with my cousin Thierry and his wife Joelle. The way the trip worked out I only was able to stay here three nights this time. I am grateful for this time and what makes it extra special is this is the time of the year when they (many French take holiday in August) come home from vacation preparing for work life and cousin was still able to make time to hang out with me. Now to add to this experience adding an extra extra special element is that we had a wonderful family dinner where Marie-Helene came as well as my other cousin Franck, his lady Helen and their two great kids. Also Charlie (Thierry et Joelle son) joined us, very nice!

The dinner along with presentation was fantastic. It was like eating at a fancy restaurant and nice to have some of us together. All aspects of it was good to see and I was happy to be there. Now, my cousin Franck pushed it to be there for he was in the south of France that morning and to my delight not only did he prepare the most delicious cookies I've ever tasted (I am not just saying that because he is my cousin) and plum tart before coming he

baked this mouth watering chocolate lava type cake.....wow! By the way he has been going to Chef school. Over the years he has prepared dishes while spending time together at his parents home.

What happen to the cookies???

During this visit I tried a concoction that Joelle prepares that has Rum, Vanilla Bean, Ginger, and other stuff that sits for a time before it is ready. I didn't think I would care much for it but I was pleasantly surprised. Although she only knows a few words in English she could say "4 is minimum".

The first evening Joelle and Thierry were telling me about a small porcupine that comes at night and eat some cat food that she puts out. Joelle shares the story about this fella or gal which was unknown, she has a name for him?? but I don't remember. The next night we was watching one eating out of the dish but I heard a sound in the bush and guess what another one. In teasing I said what if one is a woman and one a man they may have some babies. These were not their pets they just showed up.

Then on my third night we saw a baby which made me really laugh. After Joelle went to bed and I was hanging out with Thierry and soon after we saw two. Thierry suggested to take a photo so these are the babies. I didn't take any images of the adults.

One of my favorite monuments in Paris is the Bastille. I had to get a shot of it as my cousin Marie-Helene was taking me to the Gare du Nord (train station). When I 20 years old living here this was a guidepost for point of reference.

On this trip I didn't spend any time in Paris other than using it as a transfer point getting on metros to get from one train station to the other. Thinking about it, it's funny to me that on this trip I passed through the city 5 times.