Another day in Amsterdam.

Szilvia has been the most amazing Cruise Director.  She has made everything run smoothly, and managed to have all passengers and crew in the right place at the right time. Nothing was too much trouble for her, including arranging the crew to provide ice and a bandaid for my knee when I managed to miss the last step when descending the stairs and slither across the entry foyer in front of many observers!  

Last night she took a group on a tour into town and into the red light district after dark.  The main danger was to avoid being run down by a bicycle or tram (both are quite silent and seem to appear from nowhere) so much care is required when walking anywhere.

Sadly we all had to leave our ship this morning, each bound for home or further travels by air or train.  We had a taxi which brought us to this quaint little B and B in Amsterdam where we will stay for 2 nights.  A couple owns this building which has 9 separate little suites with our own small garden, and breakfast and coffee/tea facilities.  Tram, restaurants, and large park nearby, and right next to a canal.  Today we spent just walking and some R and R, but will undertake some wider exploration tomorrow.

This is Szilvia the Cruise Director, who took us into the "Red Light " district last night.

Thousands of bikes on every street, all looking well used.

Start of the Red Light district, this coffee shop is really a smoke shop for drug users. Some drugs have been treated as acceptable by the authorities.  No photos of the girls in the windows are allowed.

Judy thought it safer to pick up a statue, there were an array of strange types in the red light area.

Canal bridges raise for the boats

Boats have right of way

Some barges on the canals are very large for a small canal.