Amsterdam: The Final Day (Day 3)

I'm sharing our final day in Amsterdam.

See the other days here:

It was really nasty outside. Raining very hard. So we saved the museums for this day.

But first breakfast.


Look at that waffle covered in Nutella greatness. It was delish.

And yes, it was raining. I did not care. I walked in the rain, happy as a clam, eating my waffle. 

Our next stop was The Heineken Experience. Now, none of us are huge fans of the beer, but we heard it is a must see. And it was raining, so why not!

For18 euro, you can guide yourself through the whole tour plus get 2 beers.
For 49 euro, you can get the VIP experience, which gives you a guided tour into a few more places the normal tour does not allow. Plus 5 beers and snacks. We went with the 18 euro experience. 


First up was history.


We really embraced the experience!


Early Heineken bottle. 


Heineken was founded on my birthday! I thought that was pretty cool.


The Heineken logo over time.

Plus, a great quote: "There is always something happening around a beer."


And more history! 

Then they show you all the ingredients that go into the beer. They let you smell the hops and the barley. Blake was loving it!


After, you see how beer is made! They walk you through all of the steps.




We're helping the brewer by grinding the barley! He loves me. 

After this you go to the stables where they keep the Heineken horses. BUT GUESS WHAT. The horses were on Holiday!!! Yep, they were on vacation for 6 weeks. So we didn't get to see them. But the worker for that station told us that they work really hard and they really love the 6 week vacation. (Like he knows what a horse loves!)

We went up way too many stairs and were told to enter room 2. We were not sure what was going to happen, but you stand in rows. And it elevates up, kind of like at the theater. After the room was full, a guide came in and dimmed the lights. A movie was going to begin. But it wasn't just any old movie. It was a 4D movie of the whole process of becoming beer! It was actually really cool. There was water that sprayed, and bubbles that shot at you. Plus heat, and lots of shaking. IT was seriously a surprise, but so so so much fun!

After the movie, they give you a small beer and teach you how to correctly drink it in 4 steps.


Us with our beers!

Then you see a little more of random Heineken-ness. And you get to watch the bottling process.

Fascinating!
Then it is time to go to the bar and get your two big beers!


Blake and I each tried a regular Heineken, and this special brew. H41 Lager. It was not very good.

We had every intention of also going to the Anne Frank House, but we missed the memo where you had to buy tickets at least a month before you come. Otherwise you can't go until after a certain time.

All in all our last very rainy day was pretty cool! 

We ate a quick lunch with Ali and Brian in a Carousel :). 
I thought I snapped a photo, but I guess I forgot.

We headed to the train station to catch our 3pm train home.

Amsterdam was amazing! So amazing that this entire week I have been fighting a nasty cold. So experiencing the Pharmacy here was fun!

But Amsterdam is a place I would return to in a heartbeat. Who doesn't love flowers, and cheese and canals?!



Amsterdam Day 2

Today I am sharing day 2 in Amsterdam. It promised some beautiful weather and we were ready to take FULL advantage of no rain. 

If you missed day 1 you can read it here.

I was planning on doing days 2 and 3, but the post was just too long! I will share day 3 tomorrow. :)

At 9am we all walked together to breakfast. We were headed to The Lobby. It is near the De Wallen neighborhood and close to The Dam Square. Ali and I had read about this place before we even left, so it had some big shoes to fill!



Some neat pictures on our way to breakfast.


The latte was amazing! And they gave you free water. So this place already had an A+ in my book!


They're known for their Eggs Benedict, and I am pretty sure I know why. It was amazing! So delicious. If you find yourself in Amsterdam, make time to come here for breakfast!


Blake ordered American pancakes with bacon! Also very good!

With full bellies, we were off for a full day!


First up, The Dam Square.


Across from The Square.


There was a prayer taking place right next to The Square.

 

We walked by Amsterdam Centraal. 


Group picture, minus Ali!


A church.


Canals.

 

Ali and I. 




Blake and I.



We stumbled upon a sculpture garden that had the MOST amazing flowers. 


House boats! If we ever visit Amsterdam again, we will do our best to stay in house boat on a canal!


A park with a waterfall.


The craziest trees I've ever seen!


The Rijksmuseum.




The A!


Blake and Brian climbed to the top. 


Thank heavens for selfie sticks!


So, many, people!


I spy with my little eye: FOOD TRUCKS! 


Yum. Little mini pancakes.


And macaroons!

After this we stopped near Ali and Brian's hotel for lunch. We grabbed a blanket they brought and headed to Vondel Park to enjoy the sunshine!


But first, a selfie!



Beers in the park!

We relaxed in this park for quite a while. They had live music, and a nice pond. 

Brian and Ali headed out to get ready for their dinner cruise, and Blake and I did the same! We were all going on evening canal cruises!

 
The start of the cruise!


These are the dancing houses! They are all so crooked and look to be dancing.


A Chinese restaurant!


The water was so calm.


It was an awesome experience to be on the water at night!

After the cruise we all met back up and walked through the Red Light District. What a sight that was! We actually walked right through it earlier in the day, but hadn't even realized. It undergoes a complete transformation from day to night!

We headed out to the bar to see what the Amsterdam night life was like, and it offered up some great people watching! After a few drinks and some excellent music we headed back to our hotels for a good nights rest.


Ali took this photo from her Fitbit the next morning. Day 2 (Sunday) we walked 16 miles! No wonder my feet were sore.

Please join me tomorrow for day 3!