Viking - Tulips and Windmills - Day 2 Amsterdam

 Day 2 - Thursday 28 March 2024

We assembled on the dockside for an 09:00 Canal Cruise. As we waited for the last guests to join us it started drizzling and by the time we'd got to the nearby canal boat it was pouring. On either side of the boat there were three seats facing each other across a small table.

The boat was covered with glass panels so you could see above and around, but the glass was covered with rain on the outside and steamed up inside. Joan and I faced each other at the waterside. Wipers were handed out so we could remove condensation and it was suggested we open a gap in the sliding side windows but it made little difference as the windows steamed-up again almost immediately.

The Viking guide pointed out sights either side as we passed but we could see little, and when there were photo opportunities by the time we'd tussled the sliding window open we were usually too late.

Such as this picture, which the guide said was the most photographed sight on the canals because a picture taken through the middle of the bridge would see under a line of bridges down the side canal. I was a little too late, but those not at a window or on the left side would not have a chance.

The cruise ended at a diamond factory. If you don't want to visit it then Viking have a coach to take you back to the ship, but the canal boat was returning so we went on that.  And as we boarded Viking Ve it stopped raining and the sun shone.

Peter & Sue, who were on the cruise a day ahead of us, said the diamond factory was 'simply a buying opportunity'.

The excursion was billed as a Canal Cruise and Walking Tour but the only walk was from the Viking boat to the canal boat. 

After lunch we walked 15 minutes to the National Maritime Museum. It's in an old stone building surrounded by water with four wings around a glassed over quadrangle. 

Outside is moored a reconstruction of a Dutch East Indiaman which we boarded and explored. 

Also on the jetty is the Royal Barge, with a movie background of it is use.

A Canal Tour boat takes a close look at the East Indiaman

The museum closed at 17:00 so we walked into central Amsterdam and had a coffee in the Renaissance Hotel in Spuistraat. I used to stay there when it was the Sonesta Hotel when in Amsterdam on business.

The we crossed Spuistraat for dinner in Gauchos. This is the branch I used to eat every business trip as they were the only one to have a salad bar. That's gone now and Gauchos has spawned a multitude of competitors but Gauchos still has their trademark black and white cowhide seating

and the tenderist, most flavoursome Argentinian steaks cooked over an open fire, and served with complimentary Chimichurri sauce. And then a taxi back to the boat.