Amsterdam --- Netherlands

This is some real backdating manz....It's January already and I'm still doing blog entry for November. Oh my God!!! Someone gotta motivate me to blog manz...think if ziying hasn't tagged..I would be too lazy to blog liao..lol...

This is about the Amsterdam trip on the 24th Nov 05. We took a cuise from Newcastle port to Ijmuiden. The entire journey was totally horrible. It was a 12 hr journey and the ship was shaking violently throughout the whole journey, making us feel so miserable. Luckily, I managed to get the sea sick pill from the cabin crew. The pill was very effective and immediately put me to sleep. I almost fell off my bed a couple of time at night thanks to the choppy wave.

We reached Amsterdam on Friday afternoon. The first thing that we do is to look for our hostel. We had some difficulties with the tram system as there were so many tram stations all over the area. Well.. I can tell you that it is super dangerous to cross the road in Amsterdam. Besides the cars coming from the opposite direction than those in UK (welcome to left-hand driving system in Europe...), the trams and now gotta watch for the bicycles coming in all directions! Bicycles are favourite form of transport by the Dutch just like in China. Anyway, we managed to find our hostel in the end which is just opposite Hard Rock Cafe! Cool!!! The hostel name is Stayokay...hahaha...hopefully our rooms are in a 'stayokay' condition.

We checked out one of the Dutch museum (forgot the name liao) which lirong recommended. She said that we could get free admission if we told them that we are under 18. Well....apparently it doesn't work out and we gonna pay to get in. What a shame! Anyway, like all the museums, there are alot portraits and drawings about the country's history. Borrr....ing!!! Perhaps, I'm not the kinda art person.... Hahahaa......The night activities are more interesting. We are hearding down to the Red Light District. Wooohooo..... Well.... too bad we are not allowed to take photos in the area, so no pics to show you ppl. Anyway, it's very interesting how the prostitutes operate in the district. They would stand behind a glass panel, skimpily dressed and those interested party would just come up and knock on their glass panel. Then they will negotiate the price before getting into the room and do their 'business'. Besides that, there are alot of sex shows in the area. Yusen, Joanna and Regent went for one of the shows which cost 30 euros!!! Crazy bunch of guys!!!

There are alot of coffeeshops in Amsterdam. These are not those usual kopitiams in S'pore where people sit down and have coffee. These are the ones where you walk in and fly out. Haaahaha... these are the places where you can smoke Marijuana. The smell of Marijuana is so strong and distinct that you can immediately tell it is Marijuana a few metres. It is just so disgusting!!!

The next morning, we visited the 'cleaner' part of Holland -- the outskirt of Amsterdam. We saw alot of windmills in the area -- the icons of Holland and the Dutch ladies of course...hahaa... There is a sense of peacefulness in the outskirt, really a good place for retreat!


Canals are also an important icon in Amsterdam. They are also seen everywhere in the city such that Amsterdam is being described as the second Venice. The last day we took a canal cruise which brought us through all the major canals in Amsterdam. The view is simply awesome!!!