Boer Family Adventures: PDPW Day 4 Amsterdam

It was a nice day knowing we were staying in the same hotel for more than one night. We got to leave our bags in the room and not worry about loading the bus. When you are in a group of 45 you don't think of how long it will take to haul everyone and their bags down small elevators. After a later start than our usual we headed off to see Amsterdam.

Immediately we noticed the "traffic" which we would come to call killer bikes. They fly by just like cars do in a busy city. We became aware of the danger immediately. I had been warned, but this was beyond my expectations.

This church known as Westerkerk, was located close to the Anne Frank museum. It was one of the sites that she could see from the upstairs windows and she wrote about in her diary. It was also the site of burial for Rembrandt in 1669.

Here outside, we waited for our time slot to enter the Anne Frank Museum.

When entering the museum they had this replica of the hiding space for the Frank family and other families that lived in the secret space above the store. We weren't allowed to take bags (I had to leave my big camera) and no photography allowed once we got to the confined spaces It was disappointing but considering the content it was understandable.

One of the most famous photos of Anne Frank. The museum was so interesting and very sad as I had read the book in high school. The building made it all so real in my mind knowing what they went thru to hide and what they lived with to stay in hiding so long. They stayed alive while in hiding but in essence they were imprisoned by the Nazi's to exist in this space. Otto Frank was the sole survivor out of the entire group and upon his return he wanted to leave the space as it was. The Nazi's removed all that was in the space. The cutouts of clippings still remained glued to the walls that Anne put up. It was a very somber tour as we did audio devices with the story.

Following the museum, we did a walking tour of the city. This was one the of cars we saw several of. They were so tiny and looked like they were foot propelled like the Flintstone mobiles. Quite funny to see with Dutch people inside as the majority of them are quite tall.

This was a common site also for families. Mothers would be hauling their kids all in the bucket. Not very many wore helmets. I guess they don't worry about that.

Traveling in the group we got to do mainly window shopping as we didn't stop. This was one of the common sites of stroopwaffels. We enjoy them here as a common Dutch treat.

This was quite the fancy array as we are used to the delicious treat without the extra toppings. They looked amazing.

More beautiful canals

Even more "killer bikes"!! Watch out!

Stadsschouwberg in Leidseplein square

The square was so nice with fountains and shops. It was a real tourist treat.

We went to our next adventure at the Heineken Experience.

The start of the tour

The windows on the old factory site were beautiful

The large floor room where they used to make the beer.

They had many experiences where we could do virtual pictures. This one was entertaining to say the least. So much fun!

The Heineken Beer draft horses. Who knew?!!

Free beer sample on the tour...

More fun with the tour

Following our tour...trying to round up all 45 of the group. Not an easy feat after leaving the Heineken Experience!!

We next had the opportunity to see Amsterdam from the canal via boat! What a view the entire tour was! So wonderful. We were filled with information of each and every view. I chose to document thru image only.