8 Hours In Amsterdam

Our 36 hour journey started off well and ended well with only a few hiccups in between.

Everyone slept well on the first flight except for me. Wearing earplugs and noise canceling headphones did not drown out the noise of the couple hooking up behind me. They were making out before take off and didn't stop until we landed. They only came up for air to ask each other questions like: What's your name? Where are you from? Do you have kids and or a significant other? I was appalled, disgusted, and enraged that I couldn't get any sleep knowing this was the first leg of a very long journey with three children getting sleep who would be full of energy in the morning.

Morning brought us to Amsterdam at 5:30 AM with 8 hours to kill. We decided to head into town as it is only a 20 minute train ride into the city from the airport.

Knowing the city was still asleep when we arrived we burned some time eating breakfast and stowing luggage.

We were very leery of coffee shops and such because of the extra ingredients they offer. So we passed on trying to find any hot chocolate.

Our first stop was the Dam Square where the Royal Palace resides.

But due to restoration this was all we could see.

This is also the home of the National Monument. While we decided which direction to head next the boys took a little break.

Then harassed the local pigeons for a bit.

We then headed off in search of a very famous place that Zach and I were very eager to visit, crossing several canals along the way.

We passed many a houseboat and this one below housed a tulip museum, which we didn't have time to visit.

Any guesses who this young girl might be?

We got in line for the Anne Frank Museum just in time for the opening however,

after speaking with an attendant we found we did not have enough time to go through the museum. Both Zach and I were very disappointed. Zach is very curious about WWII lately and had be interested in learning more about Anne Frank's story.

Bikes really are the number one mode of transportation.

Some better than others.

The streets were adorned with World Cup Banners with hopes of beating Brazil in the next game. As I am typing this Chris just informed me that indeed they did.

We didn't get to sample their cheese but we did have some REAL Fanta and a Apple Turnover to die for.

As I sat down on the train with the boys I fell asleep mid sentence while talking to Ethan. The next thing I knew Chris was frantically trying to get my attention from outside the train. I woke up just in time to hope off with the boys before it headed off to who knows where.

The next two flights were a bit delayed for various reasons but did not mess up our travels plans and we arrive sin Alaska to eagerly awaiting Grandmas.