Tag: Amsterdam

9 hours in amsterdam

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On my way back to Singapore from NY, I had a 9 hour layover in Amsterdam, which I decided to use to explore the city. Since I visited Amsterdam about a year and half ago, I didn’t really do much research or planning before. I was ready to wing it. Taking the train into Amsterdam Central station was quick and easy. The train station is right below the Schiphol Airport.  After buying my roundtrip ticket, I managed to find the right platform. Thankful for wifi, a window seat, and scenic views, I arrived in Central station about15 minutes later.

I walked towards the center of town being careful of not getting run over by trams, cyclists, and cars. I decided to do what I do best. Go shopping. No matter how tired and hungry I am, I always manage to find enough energy to shop! So despite feeling extremely exhausted from lack of sleep during my red eye flight from NY, I knew shopping would perk me up. I did some window shopping inside the department store, de Bijenkorf.

Here are a few things you can do in Amsterdam:

  1. Window shopping at de Bijenkorf! Then, eat at the food court on the top floor. Not only is there free wifi, but an amazing selection of food, including steak, sandwiches, fries, salad bar, soups, frozen yogurt bar, fresh juices and smoothies, and more.
  2. Buy souvenirs like tulip flower pens and postcards in the many stores lining the streets so that you have proof that you visited.
  3. Go on an hour canal tour and see the beautiful sites of the city. Try not to fall asleep, like I did.
  4. Visit albert heijn supermarket and buy stroop wafels and chocolate! There is an albert heijn also in the airport!
  5. Take photos of the beautiful historic buildings and canals.
  6. Take the #2 or #5 tram from Central station to the Rijks museum and take a photo by the I Amsterdam sign. I would have totally done this if I wasn’t feeling so exhausted.
  7. Eat freshly made poffertjes.

I ended up coming back to the airport early because I just was too tired to keep exploring! In the end, 9 hours ended up being more than enough time to explore Amsterdam. Here are some photos from my iphone 5s.

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amsterdam streets

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I loved taking pictures of the streets in Amsterdam. I loved all the old canals, endless bikes, and houses that lined the streets. I loved the busy market places full of tulip bulbs and fresh flowers. I loved  how the streets were full of so many different forms of transportation from pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, buses, cars, and trams. I loved how it was a city  on the brink of spring.  There was a certain charm and appeal that Amsterdam had, that I can’t quite put my finger on. I tried to capture some of that charm in my photos. amsterdam-1548amsterdam-1505amsterdam-1516 amsterdam-1524amsterdam-1530 amsterdam-1539 amsterdam-1546 amsterdam-1547amsterdam-1513amsterdam-1570amsterdam-1573 amsterdam-1576 amsterdam-1583amsterdam-1600 amsterdam-1618 amsterdam-1619 amsterdam-1635