AMSTERDAM

AMSTERDAM – HOLY OR SINFUL??

Everybody loves Amsterdam!! There is no place in the world that resembles Amsterdam. A place of 'angel' and 'devil; a place of beauty and sin; and a place of 'norm' .

I love writing about Amsterdam, this is my second time writing about this city of fun in my blog, the last one was written and published in the Travel Times newspaper back in 2007.

I have been to Amsterdam (the so-called Holland) twice in 2003 and 2007. If I am given a chance I do not mind a third attempt to Amsterdam.

ROYAL PALACE

 I love Amsterdam because of its beautiful scenery, tulip, canals and majestic buildings. I also love Amsterdam – it expose the human desire of 'sex' – can be seen everywhere in this town.

N H DOELEN HOTEL

My second trip in August 6-8, 2007, gave me an opportunity to know more about the city. I booked a 3D2N stay at NH Doelen Hotel – overlooking rivers – opted for a free and easy trip. Doelen Hotel is believed to be the 'oldest' hotel in Amsterdam dated back from 1883 – with a rich history.

ANGELS OF AMSTERDAM

Firstly, one must not miss the majestic Royal Palace located at the Dam Square. Here, there are a lot of activities – such as caricatures posing with visitors – ice cream van and merry making. The imposing neoclassical facade of the Koninklijk Paleis or Royal Palace dominates the Dam, but it does not look like a palace of Amsterdam and betrays the intention of the city's authorities to build a town hall in keeping with the prestige and power of Europe's commercial capital during the 17^th century. It is attributed to architect, Jacob Van Campen who faithfully followed the classic architectural themes of ancient Rome in 1640.

ROYAL PALACE AT DAM SQUARE

Nearby, one can also stop by Madame Tussaud Museum located above the Peek & Cloppenburg Department store in Dam Square – a waxworks museum - it one of the many museums spread all over the world that bear the name of the French sculptress who specialised in making wax models of the heads of famous people during the French Revolution.

DAM SQUARE

Next, is the Nieuwe Kerk, alongside the Royal Palace, the New Church – occupies a corner of the Dam. The construction of this basilica commenced in about 1400 in the fruit orchard of the house of Willlem Eggert, a rich banker of count William VI of Holland. In 1321 and 1452 the church was badly damaged by fires which threatened to destroy Amsterdam. Another fire, due to an artisan's being distracted, devasted the church in 1645, and Jacob Van Campen guide new restoration to the church. Today, Nieuwe Kerk is a covered extension of the Dam; conferences, exhibitions and debates are held in its interior.

NIEUWE KERK

 

ANNE FRANK HOUSE MUSEUM

To the left of the Westerkerk, is a small statue Anne Frank. Her house is near, at No. 263, Prinsengracht – a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people. Anne Frank house-museum is convincing, lasting evidence and a constant accusation of Naziism. In this house, Anne Frank hid with her parents, her sister Margot, the Van Pels family and Mr Pfeffer for over two years from 1942-1944. Anne Frank house is like thousands of others in the old part of Amsterdam. It was built in 1653, by trader. Steep, narrow stairs, use made of upper spaces of two houses, one on top of the other and separated by a courtyard.

DIAMOND FACTORY

Amsterdam is popular for diamonds – the term diamond derived from the Greek wood “adamas”, meaning invisible. At the factory outlet, visitors can view the traditional way of polishing diamonds.The first diamond cutter was registered four centuries ago, from then onwards (1584), Amsterdam became synonymous with diamonds for world markets and imperial courts. Today, the 'Amsterdam Cut' trademark is the emblem of maximum precision and perfection throughout the entire world.

BEGIJNHOF

Get to see the Begijnhof – it is a place of absolute quiet, an idyllic oasis and an unexpected refuge from the uproar of Kalverstraat. Coming out of the Municipal Police Gallery, one comes across a gate tot he right. In Gedempte Begijnensloot is one of the entrances to the Begijnhof leading to a sort of vast courtyard in the centre of which is lovely lawn surrounded by numerous small houses kept in perfect order. Two chapels facing one another together form the Begijnhof.

BRONZE STATUE OF A BEGUINE

It was founded in 1346, by a group of women, beguines, who aspired to living in a religious community without restricting themselves to the rigid rules of a cloistered life. They did not take the vow and behaved a lay sisters, they all kept their own little houses, personal liberty and freedom by they dedicated their lives to the poor and ill.

NO. 34 - OLDEST HOUSE IN BEGIJNHOF

 At No. 34 Begijnhof is situated the oldest house in Amsterdam, one of the two still in wood after an order of the city government prevented the construction of new houses in inflammable materials.

NO. 14 -BEGIJNHOF

 

NO. 14 BLIND WALL SHOWS TABLETS WITH SCENES FROM THE BIBLE

At No. 14, the house dates back to the 15^th century and the blind wall to the left shows some beautiful tablets with scenes from the Bible.

BLOEMENMARKET

Bloemenmarket – is a flower market is held daily on some 15 stores moored along the Singel. It dates back to the half of the 19^th century, when blooms and plants were sold directly from the boats tied up at the canal banks and by the growers themselves, who later went back to their fields. Look out for the Dutch tulip bulbs, coconut plams, banana trees, bonsai shrubs and trees. It is a lively and cheerful floral bazaar, where you can buy anything from flowers, trees to garden ornaments.

CLOG IS COMMON IN AMSTERDAM

Flea Market is the most famous market in Amsterdam, one can find literally everything from records, old gramophone, second-hand clothes, souvenirs and books among others. The first Jewish merchants to inaugurate the flea market di so over 100 years ago, in 1883 when Waterlooplien was protected against recurrent floods which occurred each time Amstel was full. Right throughout the morning, Amsterdam's flea market is full of people who protest, contract, buy and ruin themselves in order to buy chips of a glorious past or search for missing cooking utensils. This place is also a good for idle away one's time.

TRICYCLE RIDE TO TOWN

Other than markets, one can go for shopping around the Dam area – where there are also restaurants, cafes and pubs, here.

When in Amsterdam – do not missed the number of art museum namely Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Rembrandthuis Museum, Amstelkring Museum and Rijkmuseum. Those who are in the art industry, they will definitely visit some of these art museum. As for me, I did visit only two – Van Gogh Museum and Rembrandthuis Museum. 

REMBRANDTHUIS MUSEUM

 Nos. 4-6, Jodenbreestraat – are occupied by Rembrandt's hosue for 20 years, which has since been turned into a museum dedicated to him. When Rembrandt, the greatest Dutch painter decided to live in Amsterdam, he rented a house at the corner of what was to become Jodenbreestraat. It belonged to Hendrick, who traded in paintings. It was in this house, Rembrandt met his wife Saskia, an orphan, and relation of the house owner.

VAN GOGH MUSEUM

Van Gogh Museum was opened in 1973, this modern square buildings made of plate glass and unfinished concrete, with large halls and vast areas brightly illuminated by daylight was designed by Gerrit Rietveld to house Van Gogh's work. Van Gogh was born into a family of Protestant clergymen in 1853, in the Brabant province. He followed his father's footsteps, studying theology and becoming an assistant minister, but was not his vocation. At the age of 27, he then discovered art and took up painting dedicated the last 10 years of his life completely to it. His popularly paintings are exhibited here, include The Potato-eaters (1885); Clogs (1888), Van Gogh Self-Portrait with Felt Hat (1887); The Yellow House (1888), Harvest (1888), Wheatfield with Crows (1890) and Sunflowers (1889).

CANALS IN CITY CENTRE

The canals is beautiful in Amsterdam – in order to have an overview of the city. The best approach to Amsterdam and the best way to appreciated this city was to go for a boat ride down the canals. The only places I missed out in Amsterdam is the De Zaanse Schnas Windmill  & Cheese farm (Monnickendam) - as these are located outskirt of the city.

THE OTHER SIDE OF AMSTERDAM'S

I love the Red Light District not because I am a sex pervert, but because of its 'uniqueness' where no other countries have ever dared to create – as a form of tourism.

RED LIGHT DISTRICT

The Red Light District also called Walletjes (Wallen) - meaning Little Walls, a triangle of very old, crumbling houses which has developed around the port and the oldest church in the town named the Oude Kerk. An area famous for prostitutes on display behind glass windows, it is not recent history dating back as far as the 14^th century. The setting is almost romantic, the narrow streets, charming canals and the dilapidated facades of the Oudezijds Vooburgwal and the parallel Oudezijds Achterburgwal clash with the windows displaying prostitutes who offer themselves to spectators and clients.

DANGEROUS ZEEDIJK STREET

Walked through monuments that goes through small streets, one of the famous street “Zeedijk”, in the past is one of the most dangerous streets of Amsterdam, where seamen went looking for amusement. Nowadays, due to the disappearance of the harbour nearby, the shady bars are replaced with Dutch Pub, are certainly not dangerous anymore.

SEX MUSEUM

 According to history, the government had legalised all sinful activities in the 18^th century- such as prostitution, marijuana and all kinds of drugs, sex movie and sex museum. The reason is that the people are wild in the early centuries – that lead to the government lost control of their sinful lifestyle. In order, to change them – the government then legalised all sinful activities – as a form of reverse psychology – to tame the people – in return the people turned to good things after the legalisation of these activities – it then became a tourist attraction – bringing revenue to the government – until today the government do not stop the sinful activities in this country. Prostitutes are considered as business people in their own way – as they pay taxes and renting cubicles – they bring in revenue to the country. They undergo medical check up and has dual career.

Museum Sex - a well stock English bookshop at No. 26 Central Station area.

TORTURE MUSEUM

Torture Museum - showcased the infamous marks of punishment were part of everyday life, located at No. 449, near the flower market. The museum display 50 instruments of justice from all parts of Europe, from the Pillory to the Guillotine. Punishments were public in order to teach a painful lesson, to passerby and criminals. The most impressive instruments served as special weapons against 'the Devil and his servants, witches and heretics.

THE SO-CALLED COFFEE SHOP

The name coffee-shop in Amsterdam means they offered not coffee drinks but drugs and marijuana. Don't be mistaken if you ever walk into a coffee-shop in Amsterdam, it is not your everyday coffee drinks served here.

AUGUST 6-8, 2007