Our visit to Amsterdam really could've sucked. We were there for five days, and it rained on every single one. I was also still getting over a cold, and my suitcase got lost on the way! I spent the first three days without all my clothes, toiletries, glasses/contacts, our raincoats... Wow, when I write all that down, I am amazed that we didn't have a crappy time. In fact, our trip was so much fun! The kids never complained about the rain, and we certainly didn't let it deter us from getting out and doing everything we wanted to do.
We stayed with my fabulous friend Sara and her family. It is always so much more fun to get to know a new city from someone who lives there, and I really did fall in love with Amsterdam. It's such a cool city. Shortly after we arrived, we decided to go out to dinner, so we all hopped on bikes and headed out! I honestly can't remember the last time I rode a bike, and it felt so good! They live close to everything, so we were always an easy bike ride away from our destination. That was especially important when we had to head home to dry off!
Activities included playgrounds every day, a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, a Lego exhibition, a canal boat tour, and lots of playing soccer and eating out. The Van Gogh Museum was a definite highlight - we did a scavenger hunt with the kids that was not only fun, but also enabled us to spend enough time in the museum to really appreciate it. Very cool! We also got a babysitter and managed an adults-only night out, so we got to see the city at night and enjoy amazing Indonesian food and adult conversation.
I really loved our time in Amsterdam, and I think the rain and the lost bag only made it more memorable. Now we just need to figure out when we can go back!
Me and my wonderful friend Sara, whose clothes thankfully fit me
We all had fun on bikes!
After a certain amount of time outside in the rain, you just have to let go of all fashion sense and go with practicality. Kevin called me his "little sanitation worker" in this get-up, but it kept me dry!
We had to stop for the obligatory windmill shot.
This picture makes me so happy. A rain-free and kid-free night out in Amsterdam!
Oh man, sorry to hear about your luggage! But at least her clothes fit and you didn't have to buy new ones! That last photo is just perfect - its those perfectly candid moments that make vacations for every penny.
ReplyDeleteThat's just a testament of your happy spirit. Gorgeous photos. So happy you had a great time (I would have completely freaked out about the luggage!)
ReplyDeleteI was dying to hear how your trip went...I can't beleive Amsterdam was so wet in August, although I think a lot of Europe was wet this summer....boo!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you loved the city though, so envious that you rented bikes, that looks like so much fun....didn't you just love how everyone cycles everywhere....it completely changes the feel of the city I think. And you look just great in your friend's clothes :)