Wire mesh globe light in Amsterdam shop, with the city's 17th-century buildings reflected in the glass.
What can I tell you about Amsterdam? Such a charming city, with beautiful art and architecture, great style, friendly people and good food! Before last week, I hadn't been there in 20 years. As you might expect, it's changed - mostly for the better, I think.
Shall I tell you about the lovely hotel that's comprised of 25 restored 17th-and-18th-century canal houses put together? Or about the historic restaurant in the Jordaan we found by chance, where we were the only non-Dutch people there (always a good sign) for dinner?
Or perhaps you'd like to hear about a superb six-course meal in an Italian restaurant, where we had a private dining room overlooking the kitchen and could watch the chefs' preparations? We were bombarded with attention until the last course, when they seemed to forget about us - and suddenly all that heat from the kitchen rose to the top, making the temperature stifling! I couldn't wait to leave (we'd been there over three hours)!
Or what about the art, oh the art! Rembrandt's Night Watch and his other stunning chiaroscuro paintings at the Rijks Museum show such incredible interplay of light and dark. The lines were too long for the Van Gogh Museum, but we did see the magnificent brocades, satins, furs and uniforms from Czar Nicolas and the Russian aristocracy at the Hermitage Amsterdam.
Then there was the fantastic World Press Photo exhibition at the Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam. And an exhibit of abstract landscape photographs at the Huis Marseille Foundation for Photography. It's in a beautiful canal house, complete with a library (containing a huge ornate stove, original to the house), a landscaped garden centered with a statue of Mercury and even a little studio beyond the garden.
Double Dutch bicycle chained to a bridge railing, Amsterdam.
The Foam Museum of Photography also had several ongoing exhibits, including Massimo Vitali's World Press Photo prize-winning beach series and Guy Tillim's extraordinary documentary photos of once-grand cities and buildings in Africa, reduced to ruin.
The Anne Frank House was as emotionally moving as ever; by visiting late in the day, we avoided the crowds. We walked miles and miles along the canals and stopped in little shops and galleries. A canal boat ride, Pia Jane Bijkerk's book signing at Spui Square and a visit to the textile-laden Westerstraat Market in Jordaan were all punctuated with shooting photos. And we ate way too many stroopwaffles!
We also peered at property listings in estate agents' windows. Yes, we like Amsterdam so much, there's a chance we'll live there post-Paris. Check back later for more photos from our little adventure in Amsterdam.
Red geraniums and bicycles on a canal bridge.
Canal, Jordaan.
Canal at 10:05 p.m. June 28, 2009.
great pics Tara, you're so lucky to be there. I've never been and i do so wish to visit..
oh..you'll leave Paris.?.mais c'est impossible voyons !
:-)
Posted by: my castle in spain | 10 July 2009 at 23:09
gorgeous photos (as always). we've not been there yet and, looking at your photos and reading about your adventures, i really want to go there now!
hope all is well with you
xx
Posted by: leonie | 08 July 2009 at 23:13
Hi Shelli; it's Hotel Putlizer and the restaurant is Bussia ([email protected]).
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 08 July 2009 at 13:11
PS I went to the Van Gogh Museum and it really looks as though he was drunk when he painted. Just not my thing I'm afraid.
Posted by: Di Overton | 08 July 2009 at 10:31
Yeah I can see why you would want to live there but I am still gutted that you aren't coming here :(
Posted by: Di Overton | 08 July 2009 at 10:30
Yes, we saw the parrots! Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of them - will try again next time.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 08 July 2009 at 01:38
Yes, yes, tell the name of the hotel and the resto in Jordaan. Your photos and story convince us to go to Amsterdam, but where to stay and where to eat...?
Posted by: Shelli | 08 July 2009 at 01:31
I did a double take: the Jordaan canal, minus the bridge, could be a photo of Dublin's canal.
I've been enjoying your beautiful photos. And I've been fed up with Palin's lunacy (all over again).
xoxo
Posted by: colette | 08 July 2009 at 00:39
Beautiful! It brings back memories of my time there last fall. Did you see flocks of parrots flying around? We were amazed to see them.
Posted by: Marilyn | 07 July 2009 at 23:25
Oh, dear! And I haven't even maximized Paris yet! But this is so very charming. Rick often talks about Amsterdam -- a big bike city -- and I've always wanted to visit the Anne Frank house. Between that, the art, and oh, that Italian meal -- I'm ready to pack my bags once again!
Posted by: jeanie | 07 July 2009 at 22:24
Sounds like a wonderful trip :)
Posted by: Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz | 07 July 2009 at 08:27
Oh GOOOOD!! First I will come visit you in Paris, then I will come visit you in Amersterdam! That will workk just fine for me. Thanks. ;)
It IS so lovely there. We loved it! Oh so many years ago, *sigh*
oxox :)
Posted by: amber | 07 July 2009 at 04:11
Did you know that the natives of the Jordaan have a separate "Jordaans" accent, similar to Cockney in London? How ever did you find that hotel? Your photos are scrumptious as usual! Thanks!
Posted by: dutchbaby | 07 July 2009 at 02:00
Lovely photographs but it made me so homesick for Amsterdam. It was one of two of my favourite hometowns.
Thanks for sharing your visit.
Posted by: Zoe | 07 July 2009 at 01:47
oh yes, we want to hear about it all. Especially the 6 course meal! ; )
the photos are wonderful!
the foggy one, is very sexy. you captured it, beautifully.
xo
Posted by: Christina | 07 July 2009 at 00:15
Gorgeous photos!
Always wanted to see Amsterdam and now i want it even more!
Posted by: tutta | 07 July 2009 at 00:07
I understand Amsterdam is magnificent. After looking at a houseboat on another blog I looked into them myself, however Amsterdam is probably out of the question! LOL More beautiful photos from you! Loved them, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 07 July 2009 at 00:06
Ohhhhhh bliss. Amsterdam, such a beautiful place. I promise, I will visit you there if you move. Heck, I would visit you in Paris if my closterphobia ladden self didn't have to travel via airplane. What about boat? Hot air balloon maybe???
The art in Amersterdam, you got me. The canal...
OKay, hot air balloon it is.... xoxoox
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 06 July 2009 at 22:37
Looks like Amsterdam will have to be included on my list of places to visit! I love the 'visual pun' of the Double Dutch bicycle. The houseboats along the canal remind me of Seattle!
Posted by: Barbara | 06 July 2009 at 21:57
Sounds like a fabulous trip. I have only been to amsterdam once and the sun shone and everyone dropped their bikes and sunned in the parks and I thought it was the most charming and liveable city I'd ever visited. My local friends assured me that the sun does not always sun, but I remained charmed.
Posted by: Marianne | 06 July 2009 at 21:04
You had a beautiful time Tara! You so deserved this break!
Thank you for sharing your photos and experience!
This morning a lady friend Ginnie (age 84) showed me her new red collapsible bike from Holland. People in Amsterdam are on top of things, don't you think?
xox to you!
Constance
Posted by: Rochambeau | 06 July 2009 at 19:35
My guy spent some time in Amsterdam last year on business, and I marveled at his photos for days. I love how there's such a strong bike culture there, and the architecture - be still my heart!
Posted by: Amanda Nicole | 06 July 2009 at 18:45