[SSfp_Saulo]

Hi, all.

I just returned from Amsterdam and will share a few postcards for you to see.
But first, my quick impressions of it:

Airport is far from Amsterdam center but you have trains back and forth all day, takes around 20-30mins from Schipol to Amsterdam Centraal. Though I've been a million times at the airport, I never got to see the city, and it is very nice.

The central station is very beautiful, large, dates from 1800s I believe and from there you take trams to various destinations. I stayed at Frederiksplein, so Tram #4 for me, around 15mins to my stop. I've seen the dutch influence on Belgium's architecture. so those constructions were very familiar. Amsterdam is very active at night and if you heard anything about that marijuana stuff, it is probably all true. As soon as I left the train station, the fog was on my face. I didn't eat the marijuana cake, though.

Speaking of food, I ate really, really good food there. I set no restrictions, so everything that smelled good went to my stomach. The cheeses, chocolates, good meat, stroopwafels, nothing escaped. Frederiksplein is at walking distance to Rembrandtsplein, the canals where you take boats, the famous Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Flower Market and other stuff. If you feel like riding a bike, rent one and be happy, the city is very biker-friendly and it is the preferred commuting method, otherwise use the trams. There is a 24h pass if you want.

I only stayed for 3 full days, it is not enough to properly see the city, even worse if you want to travel to the surrounding cities. It is going to take me another trip to visit them. Amsterdam is very rich in culture, the people are very easy-going, you are free to smoke your weed and the society accepts it very well. But I wouldn't live there, it can be very noisy if you live near the trams, and I stay away from big cities in general, but I visit any time.

So here you have some postcards:
- During my boat ride through the canals: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4
- Walking around the city, near Amstel river: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4
- On my way to Van Gogh Museum: Photo 1
- At the Heineken Museum (deactivated factory): Photo 1
- Walking to Rembrandtsplein: Photo 1
- My companion, who doesn't really like me to photograph her: Boat, at Rijksmuseum

I also went to Rotterdam in the last day, but didn't make any shot worth showing.
Quite a trip I must say. Will do again when the weather is more stable, it can rain the whole day now.

[Philosopher]

Nice little blog and excellent pictures as always Saulo! Seems like you did an awful lot of stuff. Hope you enjoyed yourself!

[Eddie]

Some nice shots Saulo

I'll be heading to Amsterdam for a couple of days mid September

[fray`Alpha]

Beautiful as always. great pictures.

[Swarmstika]

Fantastic stuff Saulo, glad you're enjoying yourself.

[syfIce]

Great Photos Dude makes me wanna go to Amsterdam even more aha

[SSfp_Saulo]

Glad to know you guys liked some shots.
I recommend Amsterdam, nice food, tons of museums, easy commuting, safe city (with minor pickpockets, just pay attention), active night life, weed is free to smoke, prostitution/red light district.
Since I don't carry a laptop when travelling, I can't send the postcards immediately. :-/

Eddie, september seems about right to go there, weather is probably more stable and not cold as it is now. I stayed at Nicolaas Witsen Hotel, well located and can do most stuff by feet. You can also rent bikes or book tours there. It has breakfast, internet, 24h front desk, quiet.