Because of the train strike in Belgium and some re-arranging of our schedule, we were only able to spent about 20 hours in Amsterdam. Trying to make the most of our time, we left Bruges before dawn on an intercity train north via Antwerp. Haley wanted to stop off for diamonds but our tight time line (and budget) wouldn’t allow it.
We stayed one night at Hotel Asterisk a little outside the main center but still within the main canal ring. They served a pretty good breakfast spread but had paper thin walls between the rooms and our neighbors were… um… active.
The weather was a little grey but the rain didn’t prevail until the evening. We spent most of the day walking around the canaled town admiring the interesting architecture, while trying to avoid the mobs of bicyclists and trams zooming by in every direction. Biking in Belgium is like the minor leagues compared to Amsterdam. You definitely have to keep your head on a swivel. Our only must-see tourist attraction was the Anne Frank House, which turned out to be a little pricey but worth it. Their living quarters were surprisingly larger than expected and the museum was very informative.
After a budget friendly picnic dinner, we walked through the famed red light district after dark. It was a very interesting walk to say the least – fascinating and weird at the same time. We eventually called it a night and retired to the Asterisk. The next morning we ate breakfast and made the thirty minute walk back up to the train station to head to Berlin.
Posted by haleyandjim 
