The Dam... or what it has become.

We arrived and Ash woke up to take this photo. (See previous post)


Amsterdam welcomed us by teaching us how to spell its name with big letters. That's Ash inside the d.
Amsterdam was named after the Dam that it was built upon. Now, all that is left of the Dam is a huge memorial to the soldiers who fought in WW2.

In city, famous for sex, it's one very phallic monument. The homosexual war monument, a few streets away, is not anything as straight up as this.

Opposite the very phallic tribute, and across the picturesque square there is a magnificent palace for the King and Queen of the Netherlands, which rudely, and very purposely, cuts off and towers above, the almost-as magnificent church. Now, there's a struggle for power at play. (There are also lots of beautiful people in this beautiful square!)


...and lots of crazy bikes, of all shapes and sizes.


A possibly even quirkier way to get around.



It was absolutely freezing, despite the amazing blue, almost Melbourne like, skies.

The buildings and houses were absolutely incredible. The Amsterdam-ites are so proud of their canals, some even choose to live in the canals. They even have small backyards, with pot plants.

The view from their front yard is definitely worth it.

There are loads of cool sites to see, despite the sad reasons that they have become tourist must-sees.

And here is how they keep the drunken tourists, and locals, from pissing in corners. You wouldn't want to fall on that with your fly open. Ouch.

If spikes aren't your thing, and you really need to piss (and your male) they do have public toilets. Everywhere. Even in front of important monuments in the middle of the street. Very innovative of the Dutch.

We visited a small town called Delft, where my beautiful cousin lives. We're just like sisters.

We tasted some local beer.

And got a serious case of beer goggles.

Notice the church spire is severely leaning? I swear, it wasn't just the beer. The church is actually sinking, like half the buildings in Holland.

Aren't we cute?

Back in Amsterdam, we checked out some local art at the Sex Museum. This was Ash's favourite.

She is saying "Gail, Do you smoke after sexual intercourse?" and Gail says "No, I gave up ages ago."

Here is my favourite.

Here is our amazing hotel.

And me inside our amazing hotel. (Thanks Ash.)

Our last supper

After our sugar rush from Dutch Maccas, we had some fun on the plane home.