Amsterdam and the Anne Frank House



As seems to be common lately I woke naturally at 0500 (0400 GMT) and decided that there was little point lying in bed trying to get more sleep. Hopefully it would bode well for sleeping on the flight.

Tech for the trip


After checking the important parts of life, Twitter, Instagram, Flyertalk and email I decided to head to the gym. I had tried my luck at an early check in at the Tokyo Station Hotel via email, however the reply, as I thought said it was not possible. 1500 check in for Japan appears non negotiable from the evidence I've seen. The Mods had also cleared up my mess on a double posting for the TR, not sure how that happened but now we are on one thread. Thanks for the first couple of comments.

Beware of the low ceiling when running!


A quick breakfast and another Lemsip and I was heading towards the Anne Frank Museum hoping to join the queue before it opened at 9am. I joined a good size line where the sign informed me of a waiting time of 45 minutes. I had planned to buy tickets in advance online but I forgot and by the time I came to do it there were none available. I would recommend this for anyone planning a visit but online availability does seem limited. My cold had not deteriorated any further overnight, however the cool morning and queuing outside the museum in a light jacket for 1 hour may put pay to that. Time will tell.

School run Amsterdam style




Is this where Lufthansa buy their FCT ducks?


General photos


















Bang on 9am, with the church bell ringing, the line slowly edged forward, taking approximately 35 minute to reach the ticket desk. I had expected it to move a little quicker due to it just opening, but once inside I could see why getting people through quickly was not possible.

Museum queue


I wasn't sure what to expect from the museum, my interest was peaked after my visit to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC last October. That visit was understandably very somber and conducted in almost silence by everyone. This wasn't quite the same atmosphere although it remained quiet and respectful. Perhaps this being a living place of resilient energy, with exhibits displaying the story after the house being presented near the end allowed it to tell the story as it were. A familiarity was present where children had once expressed themselves in different ways and allowed their personality to shine through even under extremely difficult circumstances.

As I walked through the house the tight spaces and steep steps demonstrated why the queue only creeps forward outside. 8 people in total were in hiding in the secret annex. The premises originally belonged to Anne Franks’ Father but he signed his company over due to Nazi restrictions on Jewish ownership. A few office staff working in the building knew of their presence and helped them through their time there by collecting food, amenities and disposing of waste. The workmen in the warehouse were totally unaware of the secret annex and the secrets it held. During daylight and trading hours they had to remain silent and as still as possible to not arouse suspicion. The amount of work and the dedication of people throughout this was evident, still to this day it is unknown who tipped off the Nazis to the hidden annex.

What was most poignant was the Anne Frank died just one month before liberation with her Sister and Mother dying not long before. Her Father survived and returned to Amsterdam in hope that his children and Wife would return.

An excellent guide was given out in the queue which tells the story better than I ever could and can be read at :- Anne Frank Museum Guide

After spending around 1 hour in the museum I bought a postcard and walked back to my hotel to check out and take the train to Schiphol.

Postcard