Back Through Time [Alestorm]

Been quite lazy (jet lag is still sending me to bed at 9), so three days to catch up on here.  On Saturday we went for a bike ride through and around Amsterdam. Such level roads! So many bike paths, and a lot more bikes than cars. After a while we stopped for food and drink and I had a local beer.

Witte Antonia - a lovely white ale

We kept riding, and had to cross a couple of bridges on our way back. The only problem - we had to go up stairs to get to the bridge. But the Dutch have a solution for that!

Special bike slide thingys!

A long and tiring day, but we got to stand in front of Centraal Station - an absolutely gorgeous old building.

This is only the top-middle part of the station - a massive, old, beautiful building

The day concluded with dinner and a drink at the nearby restaurant.

"A sexy, girly, red fruit beer"

On Sunday we went out to Muiderslot, a castle cum museum from the 14th century.

Beautiful views from all around the castle

If you look closely in the right hand corner, you can see a long drop dunny into the moat...

 

We did a guided tour of the rooms, a tower tour and a dungeons tour. So much history!

A 17th century painting of the castle

The was a maritime section! Yes, that's my excuse for this picture...

A fairytale castle

 

The day concluded with another local beer.

Amsterdam Brewboys Pale Ale - yummm

 

 

Today (Monday) we visited the Netherlands Open Air Museum, covering Dutch history through the past few centuries. Lots of windmills! Sorry, not many pictures today, my camera battery failed me.

 

A wonderful day to look around in a spectacular location

 

From mills to houses to animals, there was so much to look at. We tried a self-pulled boat, climbed a 17th century windmill, saw paper made from cotton, and patted the animals that would let us (I got a sheep, a goat, a cow, and a cat). Needless to say, I raided the lolly shop.

 

L-R - brown sugar and cream, caramel toffee, butter waffles, cinnamon things, and random Dutch licorice

 

 

The day concludes with a beer from the brewery next door.

 

Brouwerij 't IJ Flink Blond - not a bad drop

All in all, been a busy few days. One more full day in Amsterdam before we head to Belgium.
Bye for now,
Kiri