I had a spontaneous night clicking away on Booking.Com and within half an hour, I was squealing with excitement for a four-day adventure in the Netherlands (which always reminds me of Never Never Land, oh Peter Pan …).
3AM on Monday the 15th of May, I was heading to Birmingham Airport (thanks for driving us, stepdad, you’re great!), and I was filled with both excitement and anxiety – it was my first time flying without parents but I knew if I kept my cool and Google’d everything I’d be sound as a pound.
On day one, I checked into a beautiful apartment and explored the neighbourhood I was staying in. The streets were filled with quirky, clean cut and exclusive businesses, from coffee shops (none herbal) to fashion design offices that I long to work in and incredible clothing stores that had UO vibe throughout. Each shop I went into, I was taken back by the interior, I wanted to set up camp in every corner of the room, they were incredible.
Later, I landed in the centre of the city to try some crepes, walk along the canals, and obviously see what the Red Light District was about. Erm.. interesting. I haven’t nervously giggled so much in my life.
Obviously, I have no photos from that experience, and rightly so, a woman was soaked with water and sworn at for snapping the exposed ladies, I’m not risking that. That night I also brought tickets to the ‘Sex Museum’, which was more educating that I anticipated. I was surprised at the age ranges in the images too, boy that’s one large gap. My Grandad loves the photo of me sat on the massive… structure, think’s it’s hilarious, “two dicks in one photo.”
A recommendation for you, Bagels and Beans was the cutest stop off for breakfast, I wish I could stop thinking about those warm cinnamon bites of carbs, but I can’t. Oh and the fresh orange juice! Most supermarkets in Amsterdam offer a juicing machine, I expected the prices to be extortionate, but I was stand corrected.
The Heineken Brewery is a must! I thought I’d be bored out of my mind, as this wasn’t on my list of things to see… but I was pleasantly entertained and soon was swaying from my half a pint. Anne Frank House is an obvious choice of sightseeing, I came out feeling so grateful and appreciative, also a little spooked out but I did just spend the last hour in a locked away attic. (More interesting than that sounds haha).
I was told by so many people that a canal tour from the water itself was the best way to see Amsterdam, I was also told by those same people to get myself into The Bull Dog but that’s for another story time. An audio was provided on the boat to teach you all there was to know about the city, now I understand why all the houses are leaning to the side!
I took €350, and I spent it all, I would have been fine with less if I was clever enough to check the forecast before flying out (stupid move), having to buy shorts and dresses set me back but that’s my own bloody fault. I never got the chance to hire out a bike, but on my next visit, I absolutely will. Lastly, I recommend buying a three-day travel pass once you hit the Airport / Train Station over there, it’s about €26 and was a life saver when my legs couldn’t carry me anymore. I can’t stop thinking about this dreamy little break and I’ll count down the days until I step back on a Dutch airline. I will see you soon Amsterdam!
All my love,
Chlo x
Chloé Cordell 