April 2022

Amsterdam

A 9-day adventure by Travel with the Wicks Read more

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Trip start
April 6, 2022
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Day 1
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 12:02 PM
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 1,052 m
Canada East Village 51.045394, -114.05808751°2’43” N 114°3’29” W
It has been 807 days!
April 6, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
It has been 807 days since we last left the country! Lots has changed with the pandemic and flying. Still after 2 years we are wearing masks at airports & in the airplane ! Tom has retired so flying has a whole new feeling for him this trip! Flying itself hasn’t changed much, full airplanes, no food, (we bring our own) and little water!
Getting a boarding pass from the comfort of our home took about 25 minutes. Luckily for me, Dianne can run a computer pretty well. Otherwise it would have taken even longer as we needed to upload our vaccine status to Air Canada for international travel.
We sit now in the boarding area for our flight to Amsterdam listening to the non stop announcements of boarding calls and pages for passengers who are tardy or fail to show up.

Next stop Amsterdam!Read more
TravelerNo stress at all!!
4/9/22Reply
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Day 2
Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 5:22 PM
🌧 7 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Netherlands Bioscoop Pathé de Munt 52.366508, 4.89298252°21’59” N 4°53’35” E
Boy are we tired!
April 7, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
We arrive at 10ish like we planned, hoofed it to the train station, with some help managed to get 2 tickets to central station where we did some more research and came up with 2 - 3 day local transport tickets. After only one small detour we located our hotel. Our room looked a pretty good size on the website but is the size of a postage stamp! Tom says is will be like camping! We unpacked and went out for a walking adventure! And wasn’t that fun!
The wind is blowing a chilly 51km which makes it difficult to enjoy the sites! The flower market sells every kind of bulb you could ever want.
Dianne and I went for an extra tram ride in the afternoon because we have a three day pass. I wanted to get my money’s worth. We got on the number 24, as it stops right out in front of out hotel. We rode that tram until we started to loose confidence that we could find our way back, about 20 minutes. We found a market here and got some snacks for later and dragged our butts back to the tram, hoping to be able to make our way back to the hotel. Success!
We recognized our stop and are back in our small room eating snacks.
It is hard to stay awake. Dianne has the remote control for the TV and when I ask her to change the channel, she agrees to but fails to deliver because she has fallen asleep before she can push the button. I wake her up, and ask again. This time she pushes the wrong button and falls asleep again. Obviously I will have to take the remote control for myself.Read more
TravelerWho picked the hotel Tom?
4/10/22Reply
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Day 3
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM
☁️ 6 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Bioscoop Pathé de Munt 52.366129, 4.8928752°21’58” N 4°53’34” E
Museum Day
April 8, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
We got up early. I got up so early I had to go back to bed to get up early again. Dianne sounded like she slept well. Breakfast was very good and we were hungry like people who like to get their moneys worth at the buffet.
We are on our way to Rijksmuseum via the tram. 10 am is our entry time and we are at the door at 10 am even though there was a delay riding the tram because of a sudden stop for a bicycle rider. Nothing serious, just clipped the bike, and knocked over the rider. With so many cyclists here it is bound to happen. We have saved each other from being run down by cyclists here a couple of times. Actually Dianne saved me more times than I saved her but who’s counting?
Rijksmuseum is excellent. It is mostly art with Rembrandt being well represented, but it also covers Dutch history in what we both would describe as a truthful reflection.Read more
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Day 3
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Bioscoop Pathé de Munt 52.366128, 4.89278352°21’58” N 4°53’34” E
Rembrandt
April 8, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
This is a sample of Rembrandts art!
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Day 3
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Netherlands Museumplein 52.35856, 4.88669252°21’31” N 4°53’12” E
More pics from Rjikmuseum
April 8, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
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Day 3
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 3:00 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Dam Square 52.371402, 4.89223552°22’17” N 4°53’32” E
Amsterdam City Walk
April 8, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Since Dianne has planned most of this trip today she also has a walk for us to do! I am not sure about this but she has her book and off we go. Coming back from the museum we go a few stops further. We start at Dam Square. This is the historic heart of Amsterdam! Here we see the Royal Palace (previously city hall) ,the New Church, Grand Hotel, WWII Monument and Madame Tussaud’s. We leave the square using a all pedestrian street Kalverstraat which has lots of shops and restaurants. About half way down is the Hidden Church. We continue down the street to Bgijnhof, this quiet courtyard and residence has sheltered women since 1346. Next is Spui Square, lined with cafes and bars and today a huge used book sale! That brings us back to the Mint Tower right beside the Flower Market and our hotel! Tom is disappointed as he thought we would ride the tram again!Read more
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Day 3
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Bioscoop Pathé de Munt 52.366124, 4.89251552°21’58” N 4°53’33” E
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More pictures …
April 8, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
The first picture is that of a sculpture in the courtyard of the Women’s Sanctuary
Mint Tower at the end of our city walk
Dianne is playing with the pigeons
And finally coffee break….
Traveler Mmm... pastry looks yummy!
4/9/22Reply
Traveler Dianne, you look cold!
4/9/22Reply
TravelerIt is sooo cold here, we have put on everything we own to stay warm🥶
4/13/22Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 9:00 AM
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Netherlands Edam 52.511531, 5.04922652°30’42” N 5°2’57” E
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A bus adventure!
April 9, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Today, we have planned to visit Northern Holland, Edam, Volendam and Marken by bus. We don’t know what to expect. We have layered up and hope not to get rained on.
Bus travel to Edam is pleasant, and we get there around 9:30. The town is just waking up. Not much action so we walk around uninhibited and get a nice feeling about the quaint cobblestone streets that run parallel to the canals. Row houses line the spotlessly clean streets. All three villages have cleanliness in common as we would soon find out. We took a few pictures and it started to rain as we headed for the bus. Next stop Volendam.Read more
Traveler Looks cold!!!
4/10/22Reply
TravelerThe masks are keeping us warmer🥶
4/13/22Reply
TravelerThe place looks deserted. Have the locals relocated to warmer climates or decided to stay in bed? Glad to see you are dressed for the cold.
4/10/22Reply
Traveler On the way to the bank!
4/10/22Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Netherlands Volendam 52.500525, 5.05477252°30’2” N 5°3’17” E
2nd stop Volendam
April 9, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
It rained hard while we were riding the bus to Volendam and stopped by the time we arrived. That was fortunate. We found a Saturday market with local vendors of all sorts of things we couldn’t bring home so bought nothing. Volendam is a fishing village and a pretty place to walk around in. It was also busier than Edam. We stopped for coffee just outside the place where they sell boat cruises to Marken decided without consulting Dianne to get tickets on the boat to Marken while she waited in the coffee shop. Turns out she wants to go there too. What luck for me.Read more
TravelerNot waiting to consult Dianne...life on the edge!
4/10/22Reply
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Day 4
Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:37 AM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Netherlands Volendam 52.500525, 5.05477252°30’2” N 5°3’17” E
More pictures of Volendam
April 9, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
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Day 4
Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 2 m
Netherlands Marken 52.459812, 5.10606252°27’35” N 5°6’22” E
Off to Marken
April 9, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
On to the boat and away. It starts to rain hard so there is no opportunity to get a selfie of Volendam waterfront. Dianne, of course is disappointed…. It is a 20 minute boat ride, but it saved around 35 minute of bus riding. Marken is an island and has picturesque wooden houses on it. We see goats and sheep on our walk about.Read more
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Day 5
Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 10:30 AM
⛅ 7 °C
Altitude: 2 m
Netherlands Zaansche Schans 52.472453, 4.81572952°28’21” N 4°48’57” E
Windmills, windmills, windmills
April 10, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
Goedemorgen family and friends, another day, another adventure! It is Sunday and we take a little slower and don’t leave the hotel until 10! It is beautiful out, not to much wind, sunshine blue skies and still a little cool.
So a tram ride to Central station and then with tickets in hand to hop on a bus for Zaanse Schans! The bus is full as others have the same idea! A half hour ride and we see windmills!
There are 20 in the area (there used to be 1000 in the Zaan district). Windmills all do a specific job. Some saw wood, others milled oilseed, others made paint. It goes on from there.
This area reminds me of Heritage park with its quaint shops and old world feel.Read more
TravelerLooks so pretty when the sun shines!
4/12/22Reply
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Day 5
Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 1 m
Netherlands Zaansche Schans 52.473251, 4.8167352°28’24” N 4°49’0” E
We are still at Zaanse Schans!
April 10, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
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Day 5
Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 4:51 PM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Netherlands Anne Frank House 52.375064, 4.88400952°22’30” N 4°53’2” E
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Dianne’s Jordaan walk!
April 10, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
After fish and chips for an afternoon snack, we did a walking tour of Jordaan. It starts at Dam square which has been described as the Dutch “Times Square”. It gets quieter as you progress along the canals into a residential neighbourhood. On the way we pass by Anne Frank’s house, and Pink Point. Pink Point is a small memorial, a Homomonument to all oppressed people of the LGBTQ community. The pink triangle is symbol homosexuals were forced to wear by the Nazis.
We pass many canal boats and tours as Dianne’s hints get more noticeable! The tour continues thru a more artsy neighbourhoods with art galleries, florists and with many sidewalk pubs and restaurants . It is such a beautiful evening they are well attended. The hints are alluding to a promised boat tour of the canals. Trouble is, the last tour leaves at 18:45 and it’s 19:00 now. Dianne doesn’t want this to be like my promise of a camel ride on our last trip. Not the Banff trip, but the one to the Middle East. Everyone on that trip had ridden a camel before and I myself wasn’t keen to do it again. On that trip it was always “tomorrow for sure”. until we got on the airplane to go home. This time is “Tomorrow for sure” for the canal ride.Read more
Traveler Lovely walk!!
4/12/22Reply
Traveler Lovely to see the spring flowers in bloom
4/12/22Reply
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Day 6
Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8:00 AM
⛅ 3 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Netherlands Kasteel Keukenhof 52.267075, 4.54190552°16’1” N 4°32’31” E
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Let’s see the Tulips!
April 11, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
We were up at 6am and on the train by 8 to make the 9 am bus to Keukenhof Gardens! This is a popular place. Rows of busses fill the parking lot and once inside you can see why. It is a big area of gardens and canals with fountains. People bring their dogs and their cameras.
We took a few pictures. Who would have thought there so many different kinds of tulips.Read more
TravelerNice clogs Tom!
4/12/22Reply
Traveler Can you get them in your carry on luggage?
4/12/22Reply
TravelerTheir dogs have cameras!!
4/12/22Reply
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Day 6
Monday, April 11, 2022 at 12:30 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Netherlands Keukenhof 52.269444, 4.54837752°16’10” N 4°32’54” E
The gardens are stunning!
April 11, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
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Day 6
Monday, April 11, 2022
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Amsterdam Centraal Railway Station 52.379025, 4.89991152°22’44” N 4°53’60” E
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The promised Canal Tour!
April 11, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
We boarded the boat for the Lovers Canal tour. I’m not sure how they came up with the name, as the clientele did not seem more amorous than the regular folk, but here we are. We qualify.
The tour itself was very informative if a bit underwhelming. Photography was difficult as we were behind glass and the boat was crowded with other lovers and their children. One thing did strike me though. It was better my last camel ride.Read more
Traveler Suurrre!!
4/13/22Reply
Traveler We’re you with the proctologist convention?
4/13/22Reply
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Day 7
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 9:00 AM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Netherlands Station Utrecht Centraal 52.088444, 5.10938652°5’18” N 5°6’34” E
Off to Arnhem
April 12, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Today is a train trip to Arnhem where we will visit the Open Air Museum. It involves train and bus travel to get there and we have done some research on how to make it all happen. We picked up our discounted train tickets yesterday, The discount applies to off peak travel so we can’t get on before 9 am.
One false start from the hotel as we had to go back to get some literature about Dianne’s great grandfather, Jasper Hogeweide, who we believed to be represented at the museum by his shoeing shed from Scherpenzeel. It was purchased and relocated by the museum in 1923.
We know our way around Centraal Station in Amsterdam now, so no problem getting on the train. It is a pleasant one hour ride to Arnhem, where we board a bus to the museum.
I mentioned that the windmills in Zaanse reminded me of Heritage Park in Calgary. This place even more so. It covers around 600 years of Dutch history.Read more
TravelerSo cool to see GG Jasper's shed. We're loving your photos & stories!
4/14/22Reply
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Day 7
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Netherlands Eusebiuskerk 51.979605, 5.91108251°58’47” N 5°54’40” E
More exhibits in Arnhem
April 12, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
First three pictures is a farmers home, pictures from inside
Next, a Carpenters cabin

Next scene from a 1960’s home
Then a nun in front of a medical clinic
And last the tram that transports you around the parkRead more
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Day 7
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 5:00 PM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Netherlands De Wallen 52.373074, 4.89872152°22’23” N 4°53’55” E
Red Light District Walk
April 12, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
We were told the Red Light District was a “must see”. We took in the Rick Steves walk in the late afternoon. There were museums & shops that one might expect, a lot of history; for example Europes first gay bar, the Old Kerk. There are many well attended restaurants and pubs lining the canal.

Oh, it was suggested no pictures, so we didn’t take any!Read more
TravelerSeriously, where are the photos?
4/13/22Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:00 AM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Vondelpark 52.357649, 4.86745852°21’28” N 4°52’3” E
Our last day! Vodelpark!
April 13, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Took the tram to Vondelpark and walked for about 90 minutes. Nice place to spend time with lots of birds, and water features. It is a park large enough to get lost in, or at least argue about how to get out.Read more
TravelerBeautiful! And you two are very photogenic too!
4/14/22Reply
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Day 8
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Netherlands Rozentheater 52.373293, 4.88018652°22’24” N 4°52’49” E
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Our last afternoon!
April 13, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Walk to Jordaan again because it is a nice part of Amsterdam with café’s and restaurants. We had a drink by a canal and Dianne floated the idea of another canal cruise. We thought about it but decided that we would get some food and pack up our stuff for the trip back tomorrow. It was sunny and warm finally.Read more
TravelerIt’s amazing with the better weather how the city has transformed from your first day to now.
4/13/22Reply
Traveler Glad to see you took the selfie stick Dianne!
4/13/22Reply
Traveler Looks like a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon!
4/14/22Reply
Traveler Amazing!
4/14/22Reply
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Day 9
Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 2:00 AM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 3 m
Netherlands Amsterdam Centraal Railway Station 52.379, 4.899952°22’44” N 4°53’60” E
Last thoughts & misc pics!
April 14, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Amsterdam is a beautiful place to visit. The people we met were great! We found it easy to navigate and fun to travel around. Public transportation is excellent and having a motor vehicle would more of a problem than using the local trams and trains.
We felt safe when walking the streets or getting around the city.

As we mentioned our hotel was cramped and expensive! The weather was cooler than we like but we didn’t let it stop us!

Would we go back? ABSOLUTELY!

This was our first trip after 2 years of COVID restrictions and put us in the mood for more travel!Read more
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Trip end
April 14, 2022