My last day of this 45 day European tour ends in Amsterdam, the Dutch Capitol City of the Kingdom of the Netherlands!
Today I am left to explore for the day on my own. The tour bus brought us to the city center near the home of Ann Frank. As I walked into the house I could feel the presence of the extraordinary courage and bravery this family had. Making my way through the different rooms, going up and down narrow stairs, watching videos, looking at memorabilia, I felt as though I was right there with Ann Frank as she was keeping her diary back when the Holocaust was going on.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures to share due to the fact that you are not allowed to take pictures inside the house.
I had looked forward to this part of the trip as a whole. And now the time had finally come, wow what an experience that I will always remember.
After the tour I decided to wander around with no plans in mind. I just love the architecture of this country!
Used by 260,000 passengers a day, I came across the second-busiest railway station in the country.
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| Centraal Station |
Magna Plaza is a shopping mall, but it used to be Amsterdam's main post office! Can you believe I didn't head on in there to do some shopping???
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| Magna Plaza |
My exploring lead me to Dam Square where there seems to be plenty of action going on.
The National Memorial Statue was erected in memory of Dutch soldiers and members of the resistance who died in World War 2. Unveiled in 1956, the monument stores soil from all of Holland's provinces as well as from the Dutch East Indies and if you go to the back of the obelisk tower, you'll find the provinces' crests.
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| National Memorial Statue |
If you're into still life wax figures, then you might want to check out Madame Tussaund's Wax Museum.
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| Madame Tussaud |
The Royal Palace Amsterdam is one of three Palaces used by the Dutch Monarch.
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| Royal Palace |
Adjacent to the Royal Palace, built in 1400 is Amsterdam Nieuwe Kerk, (New Church) a church of the highest order.
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| Nieuwe Kerk |
The 800-year-old Oude Kerk (old church) is Amsterdam's oldest building and oldest parish church, founded ca. 1213 and consecrated in 1306.
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| Oude Kerk |
Amsterdam has more than 60 miles of canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges!
And it seems everyone likes to hang out along these narrow canals.
Well, hard to believe my 45 day European adventure has come to an end. Thank you for coming along and I hope to see you on my next adventure!
au revoir, adios, arrivederci, Güle güle, Avtio, Nashledanou, Doviđenja, Auf Wiedersehen, Tsh
