Arrive in Amsterdam

June 30, 2012   We arrive at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands about 7:15 in the morning.  We collect our luggage and find an exit looking for a taxi.  Grab a taxi and we are off on another adventure. Now in Amsterdam. We arrive at the Eden Hotel Amsterdam.  Collect our suitcase and bags and head to the desk to check in.  We are too early and our rooms are not ready yet.  Not wanting to sit around a hotel waiting while there is a whole new city waiting to be discovered we arrange to store our bags and check in later.  Just as we are about to leave we are called back to the desk because they have two rooms that we can have.  We check in and head for our rooms.  It is now about 10 AM. Day 1 (June 30, 2012) After a quick settle in, we headed out to explore Amsterdam.  Took a tour on a canal boat we happened to spot near the hotel. Then spent the rest of the day walking around the area.  We book a guided bus tour of the area for our second day in Amsterdam. Day 2 (July 1, 2012) We are picked up early at the hotel and driven to the tour operator’s store front.  Check in and board another bus.  On the tour we saw many things we would not have seen otherwise.  We visit an old rebuilt village (Zaanse Schans) of working windmills.  The windmill were built to pump water, grind grains, cut lumber to mention a few.  We visited a couple of quaint fishing villages.  Took a boat ride on a huge bay turned freshwater lake.  Finished the day walking around (they provide transportation from your hotel, but not back) and exploring the old city. Day 3 (July 2, 2012) Out of the hotel and head north-west.  We find a place for nice breakfast then keep on walking.  We tour the Anne Frank house.  Then more walking and looking as we head towards the museum section.  We visit the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.  We end our visit with more walking and exploring.  It is great that Amsterdam is a city we all felt comfortable walking around and also compact enough that we could explore on foot. Amsterdam is place I would love to return to and explore some more.  I have to admit I never expected to see so many bicycles.