5/3 Amsterdam

Cold, foggy and just overall miserable – that’s what it looked like outside. But the bonus is we are early to arrive, so we were hopeful that we wouldn’t have too many problems getting off the ship and getting to Anne Frank’s house by our 9:30 ticket time. 

Captain is doing the same thing – just sitting off the dock for ever until he pulls hard aside.  But we know we have time today since we’re early, so we’re ok. We waited downstairs in the lobby for only 5 or 10 minutes before we were clear to go ashore.  Surprisingly, there weren't’ many people there waiting – so we just walked right off. Got maps from the Info place in the port building and stuck out toward Central station and into Amsterdam.

It’s a great city – and we sorely wished we had more time and better weather today. But – can’t change either – so off we went.  We navigated our way past the tram lines and bikes that whizzed by us constantly.  Past the lone window dancer (a guy in a teeny thong) in the Central Station square (it’s Sunday early morning, so not much doing in the Red Light district); and made our way to Dam Square – one of the main plazas in Amsterdam.  The architecture here is just stunning.  Don’t kn0w what you’d call it – besides Dutch! – but it’s just too neat.  Houses that are leaning toward the street (we learned later that they were built on angles on purpose to help with the weight of items that had to be wenched up to apartments – everything is built tall and narrow – so most buildings have a wench arm at the top of the building to wench furniture, etc., up and place in through the windows), some look like old timbered buildings, others stone, and other brick. Everything seems steeped in history.

Took us about 1/2 hour to walk to the Anne Frank house.  When we got there we were shocked at the line!  It wasn’t even 9 yet (when they opened) and the line must have been at least 100 or 150 long! We were so glad we purchased tickets online. We got to stand at another door for online tickets – and even though our tickets were for 9:30, they let us go in early.  No waiting or anything. 

That was an incredible experience.  First of all the house and museum have been done incredibly well.  Everything is bi-lingual.  they use still photos and video to tell the story, and lead you through the house and the events so extremely well.  The whole story is so moving, then to actually be in the Annex and stand in the rooms where they lived for so long only to be discovered and sent basically to their deaths…it’s too powerful for words.  There are all sort of criticisms about the book, her diary, claims that it isn’t authentic, that she couldn’t have written the way she did, a girl her age….but regardless…just the idea that these 8 people spent 2 years in this little space hoping to hide out through the ghastly horrors, then were caught…and you can walk through that space?  And read and learn more about it?  Mind blowing!

We left after about an hour of soaking up the experience, and headed out into the now drizzling morning. Crud! We were right at the hop on hop off canal boat stop, so we decided we’d take the green line, then switch to the blue and head back to the ship. We could see most of the city that way from the water – and stay dry until the rain stop.  When we got on, I told the driver (there’s only one guy doing the whole boat, driving, docking, checking tickets) “2 please'” – and he said, yeah, yeah, that’s ok, that’s ok and told us to sit down.  Ok, well, sure!  So we sat – expecting him to come back and get the money – but he never did! So we rode the boat all the way around the canals looking at the great buildings, learning about different sites and bridges and houses, then jumped off at the train station and figured we got a bonus!  In hind sight, I think he may have thought we already had our tickets…oops!

The canal cruise was fun – but unfortunately it had really started raining.  We walked around a bit looking for a cafe but everything was closed for Sunday – or didn’t open until night time.  At this point we are cold and wet – and I’m running out of Kleenex – so we decided to head back to the ship.  We figured we only really missed 1 1/2 hours ashore – and it wouldn't have been all that pleasant in the rain anyway.

Of course, wouldn’t you know it? right as we sailed, the sun came out!  Boo hiss!!!

So, back aboard, blogging from the balcony, with the sun shining – but I’m still wrapped up in woolen blankets!  Relaxing a bit, so that we can be ready for our big Captain’s Table dinner tonight. We were invited to the Captain’s Table hosted by the Environmental officer.  Hmmm…this should be interesting!  I just hope I can blow out enough of this crap in my head so that I don’t “pollute” the environment at the Captain’s table!!!  More later…..after dinner and tomorrow’s sea day….