Stepping out of Amsterdam Centraal train station and taking in sights of the slim Dutch houses and houseboats on the canals, it hit home that we have arrived in Amsterdam.
Being a Amsterdam first-timer, it was easy navigating the area. All main sights were walk-able from the train station and boards with maps were installed for easy reference.
By just walking straight from Amsterdam Centraal train station, we arrived at the National Monument and Dam Square that are in front of the Royal Palace.
We then turned right and explored the canals, passing by Amsterdam’s famous skewed-looking houses and coffeeshops where people can buy and smoke weed.
On the way to The Pancake Bakery for breakfast, we walked past Anne Frank House where there was a short queue. From 9am to 3.30pm, the museum is only open to visitors with an online ticket for a specific time slot. We did not want to lock ourselves down with advance purchases because we were unsure if it will take a long time clearing customs at Schiphol Airport and that if so, we may not want to make the trip out to the city.
Our virgin Amsterdam visit ended with a tour of the Red Light District where we saw sexy lingerie shops, shop windows displaying pornographic video covers and sex toys, souvenir shops retailing tongue-in-cheek merchandise and of course, the red-curtained and red-framed windows with prostitutes trying to get some business.
All thanks to the convenient 20-minute train ride from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal train station, we were able to cover quite a bit in the capital with just 6 hours of transit.
All we have left to check off the next time we are there are to tour Anne Frank House and Royal Palace, take a canal cruise, visit a coffeeshop and join the famous party scene. Marshmallow has high hopes for the club scene. After all, Tiesto is Dutch.
Before jetting off to your trip, do read our 9 things you didn’t think of preparing for your trip.
By: Chocolate & Marshmallow
Chocolate & Marshmallow 