Adventures of Amsterdam

Out of all of the beautiful places in Europe, I have always. ALWAYS. always wanted to visit Amsterdam. Not because for their legality of weed, although what I realise is that their greens in neighbouring coffeeshops has reflected a free-willed and comfortable attitude in their community, it was an atmosphere I completely wanted to be immersed in.

Essentially, despite the inevitability to be known as the sin capital of Red Light Districts, they are a lot more beyond that. Places such as Spui and Jordaan, I simply found joy walking among the midst of identical canals as I felt myself floating in the city. Open your empty belly to tasty snacks such as poffertjes, stroopwafels, dutch fries, bitterballen and cheese, you wouldn't be able to have enough! Head to Albert Cuyp Market and De Foodhallen to fill yourself up.

Another part of this trip that I was completely drawn to, was their culture and admiration towards Art. I could not be anymore grateful to stand in front of the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam aswell as seeing more fellow tourist prepping their Instagram with the Rijksmuseum. To fully feel like a tourist in the city, head over Bloemenmarkt and surround yourself by the beauty of grown tulips and Sunflowers, even within this place, get a hold of clogs and balls of cheese as a souvenir to remember what the city is also known for.

I don't normally go on a full on shopping spree when I travel to different countries, but I am weak for thrift stores and knickknacks, I absolutely fell in love with thrift shops such as Time Machine and Episode to find some 80's looks, vintage finds or even a style you never would have thought you would fall start to suit. Head over to Waterlooplein, it's a flea market that has everything that an artsy person will need. From old vintage dutch posters or coins, hippie crystals or dangling earrings and even thrifted clothes around the corner, I promise they have it all for you.

Other than my complete bias opinion about how great Amsterdam is, it is definitely a city that you would want to carry around with you. It's youthful energy is so fulfilling I would love to come back for more and do it all over again. It is hard to resist the food, art, canals and most importantly their culture. Amsterdam such a treat to my girls and I to relax and steady from the fast paced life we had back in Asia. If you're looking for a city to have a pause for a while, ofcourse while discovering something new, Amsterdam is where you need to be.

Canals

Stedjelik Musuem

Bloemenmarkt

De Pijp