2. A day in Amsterdam

Due to the unreliability of flights exiting Canada, we decided to add a buffer day in Amsterdam to make sure we didn't miss our connector to Johannesburg. Luckily we did as our flight from Calgary landed two hours late and we would have missed our day flight to South Africa.

We've never been to Schiphol before and couldn't believe how beautiful it was. There were tons of restaurants and shops, and great places for travelers to relax before their next flight.

After passing through customs we made our way to the taxi area and were surprised to be placed in a beautiful Tesla Model X that took us into Amsterdam to the Nhow Hotel.



I have to admit that apart from coming across the good rate for the hotel, I really wanted to stay in such an interesting building. The areas with corners also have glass bottomed floors for those not afraid of heights.


Our Room

With a comfortable room in the upper triangle section of the building we had a quick nap so we could enjoy our evening out. The hotel is not very central but luckily it is located right next to a metro/train station that took us directly downtown. We also discovered that there was a handy train that went straight to Schiphol, and we used that the next morning instead of a taxi.


The canals and rivers of Amsterdam









We really enjoyed the rubber ducky store but didn't buy anything or start a collection.


The candy shops in Amsterdam are insane.


The royal palace (but the King doesn't live here)



With sunset approaching we remembered that we have good friends in Rotterdam and texted them to ask if they wanted to meet up. They told us they could meet us at 7pm at the train station, so we settled down for a coffee at a side café while we waited for them.







After meeting up with our friends we decided to go for dinner where we could catch up on the last 5-years worth of news. After searching for a popular pasta restaurant we were dismayed to see that they were full, and so the search continued. Eventually we found a little bistro and started drinking beer after beer, with a hamburger thrown in for nourishment. They told us about the joys and challenges of living in Holland and it was interesting to hear how each country has pros and cons.


Tasty burger

Eventually the night got late and we went for a quick walk through the red light district, which was an experience. We had a 10am flight the next morning so we took the metro back home and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.