Amsterdam- A Darn Good Time!

Previously, I posted my "Birds of Amsterdam"

pictorial, showing 15 or so different types of birds I photographed during a visit to The Netherlands in December. This post showcases many of the other things Alesia and I did during the three days we had together in this old European city.  

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is quite a complex with a large shopping mall and an easy inside walk to some hotels. 

Our hotel, the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, was big and beautiful, and as the name suggests, very close to the city's Schiphol Airort. Check out the curling sheet in the lobby shown below. That’s what the sport’s court or playing surface is called, I just learned.

Flight attendants from Emirates airline stayed at our hotel. I've always liked their uniforms. The airline is owned by the government of Dubai (aka United Arab Emirates). 

    Our first evening in Amsterdam our hotel had a social event featuring a gin drinks. Gin and tonics are my favorite cocktails, so I was definitely down for some tastings! 

We met this Dutch lady who upon learning we are Americans was quite curious about the recent election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. 

We had a chance to try some curling, which is popular in these parts. 

Alesia was in Amsterdam on a business trip. I was able to join her after my semester ended at South Carolina State University where I teach communication courses. 

We had three days for sightseeing and we did see a lot! 

The Dutch do like their bicycles! 

We really enjoyed the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum). The Dutch have such a rich and important history in exploration, trade and nautical innovotions.

The Royal Barge is a sight to behold! It was commissioned by King William I more than 200 years ago. 

The architecture, the cuisine- all very appealing. 

We used public transportation to travel out of Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans "windmill park." 

This is such a neat area to explore and photograph. There's also a wonderful museum.

Amsterdam is a city of narrow canals and numerous bridges. 

Fine dining? Yep! 

Rembrandtplein or Rembrandt Square is one of the city's busiest squares and attractions. The sculptures depict the great artist's "Night Watch," one of his most famous paintings. 

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn- that was his full name. Rembrandt lived from 1606-1669. It is believed that 300-350 of his paintings exist today. I'd like one please! 

A view of the Rembrandt House Museum from a place across the street where we had a bite to eat. 

This is the Baruch Spinoza monument in Amsterdam. Spinoza (1632-1677) was a prominent and influential philosopher. A Dutch tourism site describes him this way: considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy and a leading philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age, he promoted complete freedom of thought, religion and speech, which was frowned upon by many of his contemporaries.

Here's another major Dutch figure, another artist. You may have heard of him: Vincent van Gogh
(1853-1890). 

Visiting the Van Gogh Museum was our trip's pinnacle. I'm so glad we saw so much in just a few days. Maybe we'll return some day. (2026 update: In recent years, our son Justin has been to Amsterdam several times with his job. His company is headquartered here). 

A corner in our kitchen area is dedicated to our trip in 2016. Such fond and fun memories of Amsterdam and the Netherlands! 

Thanks and love to Alesia for making this trip happen.