Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
October 01, 2013
It still hasn’t sunk in yet that I’m starting this big adventure off into the unknown and with no return date set. At the moment it feels like any other usual jaunt to Dam but with Dani coming along to see me off on my travels. I’m sure the coming days and weeks will start to blur together and before I know it I’ll be off through Siberia and into the Mongolian wilderness with Amsterdam a distant memory behind me.
Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world….and not just for the obvious reasons! Usually I’m not a big one for cities, I never have been, I prefer the great outdoors and some nature around me but Amsterdam is one of those places that’s hard not to fall in love with. It oozes character everywhere you go and has charm in abundance. From the magnificently preserved old cobbled streets and maze of snaking back alleys and canals to cafe culture, street art and state of the art clubs it’s a city that ticks every box for me. I’ve been to Dam at least a dozen times and this time we are staying down near Vondelpark close to the museum quarter but will mainly be mooching around Jordaan, one of my favourite areas of the city.
Jordaan is a stones throw from the chaos and booze fueled stag parties of the red light district if that’s what floats your boat but still manages to support a very relaxed eclectic feel. It’s populated by your typical solicitor/architect/artist/hipster type crowd and it has some fantastic hidden gems tucked away round every corner and down every tiny side street once you get away from the beaten track and explore a little more. Our first day has been spent ambling around the quiet cobbled leafy streets hopping between quirky coffee shops and quaint little brown bars. Brown bars are everywhere in Amsterdam and they are gorgeous little establishments that draw you in with their warmth and comfort . They are your typical old school cosy wooden watering holes. Sometimes so small you can maybe fit around 10 people in at a time and it makes for a warm intimate experience. It’s a nice way to take a welcome hours break from the endless rambling that sucks you in regardless across this maze of a city.
It’s been a good first day and its nice to be back in Holland, a country I admire for it’s relaxed views and tolerant lifestyle.
