It is a good day to wake up in the Netherlands

The direct to Paris with a movie and sleep is the way to go. Staying out late last night and a good nights sleep no jet lag for us! Koffie  and croissants at the neighborhood cafe in De Pijp and we are fueled for the day! We walk a few blocks to rent bikes. We find this to be a faster and breezier way to get around the city.

Next stop Museum Plein. This is a great time of year to visit Amsterdam. The crowds feel light, and the atmosphere is full of holiday lights and decorations! We skip the Van Gogh museum, been there before, which seems to be the only  queue. Last time we visited  the Stedelijk was under renovation! Beautiful building full of fun, experimental, and conceptual art as well as works by A few of my favorites, Picasso, Chagall cezanne, Kadinsky...

We spend a couple of hours wandering the halls. We chat about seeing an influence of this art in our friend Carol Sogards work. She would love this place.

Amsterdam - old damp and slightly mysterious. Famous for its tolerance of gays, buskers, squatters, marijuana smokers and prostitutes, and remains a haven for artists, writers, poets The  parks, canals, the people watching, streets of color and character and the beautiful architecture. Jump on the bikes, the Rijksmuseum will have to be for another day. Some of the best experiences in this city come at no cost, let's do this. Canals to ride, architecture to be viewed, history to embrace. Ride to Amsterdam Central. Duck, bob, weave our way through cobble streets and over canals. We pop in for a pint and fuel up with food.

Ride to the Bloemenmarkt but we take the long way as we keep missing the correct Straat. So many blooms, flowers, colors, bulbs. Wish we could fill our suitcases. My mother would love this place! 

Stop for a beer and to warm up. There are no crowds, but that could partially due to all the rain. Head home to change, dry off and go out for the evening! 

Decided to walk the neighborhood. Three restaurant recommendations from Sven. Barra a trendy tapas place, super busy. Wink, and Vamps a ver! We chose the later. Connie a local and her Spanish husband own it. She said no vacancy, only service at the bar. We join a couple of people at the bar. The food is delicious. We let her choose the taps, which soup, etc. she knows the menu well. We enjoy a bottle of her favorite wine with our meal. We asked about the flaming brandy drinks, she gave Haas one, and for Trish an Irish coffee. A lovely way to spend our night. As we pay, we are told for first time no Visa accepted, literally the only card we have. Don't worry she says, you can come back tomorrow! We have Euros no fear.

From there we walk to Cafe Gollum for a night cap of sours for the lady, and Belgian IPA for the gent. Slippery from there. Seriously slippery due to all the rain. A cap home for us! Prost!