The first dawnGetting off the bus, groggy eyed, slightly confused and a bit nervous about how to figure out a way to my hostel without internet - I was just about to head off in the direction of a few people who seemed as if they could help me out. Just then the bus moved away and this vista greeted me. Gone was the grogginess and confusion ! The morning breeze cleared all nervousness and all I could do was smile to myself after clicking this picture...-" There, this is what I have come to experience"
Amsterdam CentralDuring a quick walk around the town in the wee hours of the morning, when everyone was yet to awaken - probably the results of late night parties that the city is famous for; I retraced my steps to the place where i started my journey from. Amsterdam Central. In the peaceful light of the morning with tourists yet to throng the boat rides and the streets pretty empty, the Amsterdam Central provided a pretty sight against the blue sky.
The Hidden PainterAlthough the streets were empty, the glass facade of the restaurants and art shops gave a peek into what belonged inside. This one with its colorful display of paintings piqued my interest and just as I was about to click the photograph - a mystery painter made his appearance ! Coincidence sometimes creates the best of pictures
All set to goAmsterdam is known to be a cyclist city, so much so that people say that the cars may stop for you, but the cyclists won't. So it was no surprise that you could see cycles of all sizes, colors, shapes and with numerous accessories around the city. While some were being ridden to the train station and other work places, these 4 seemed to have a lazy day ahead of them!
The essence of NetherlandsA combination of green foliage, blue skies, red brick buildings and the typical Dutch Orange - all against the foreground of the cities famous canals!
Treelined canalsBoats parked in the canals, cars parked on the streets, cycles parked right outside the houses and trees lining the sidewalks - waiting for the day to start
Amsterdam in a nutshellA perfect postcard for Amsterdam! What more could one ask for
Of bright green trees and blue skiesA single tree adds color to one of the modernish buildings of Amsterdam - creating a frame that has a unique flavor to it
The weather starts to changeIf you don't like the weather in Amsterdam, just wait - it will change in a matter of minutes! - That's what the locals say. And there it does. Bright blue skies suddenly start turning gray and the day starts to look gloomy.
De WaagOnce situated at the border of Amsterdam city - and operating as one of it's gate of entry, this soon turned out to be one of the central places of attraction. Well not quite, it functioned as the place for capital punishments and then as an anatomical theatre where various experiments were performed on the "bodies" of the dead people in an attempt to understand the human body, all of which a normal person was able to view at a small price. At the same time the building also served as a guild hall, a fire station and a museum. Talk about multiple uses of a building. Nowadays it houses only a cafe !
Lunch breakCycles padlocked to the bridge while their owners grab a quick bite near the city center.
TransportationSyntehtic cycle tracks, tram tracks and of course the road for cars and bikes complemented on one side by a nice line of trees and on the other side by old brick buildings!
The first sunsetA beautiful sunset in Amsterdam and another picture postcard. If the dawn was beautiful, the sunset proved to be even more dramatic!
Overview of Zaanse SchansThe next day, the much awaited trip to Zaanse Schans - and the first sight of windmills. Eager to go up close and catch a glimpse
A little country in its ownBlue skies, grassy meadows, cosy cottages and yes always a hint of rain in the air
Peekabooand then the Sun starts playing peekabo with the clouds and creates such beautiful photographs.
Living on the edgeA house in the meadows on the edge of the forest and with a stream flowing nearby
The gentle giantsThe gentle giants... or the windmills up close
A village lost in timeHow idyllic can it get! A cloudy day to ensure that you never want to get out of bed, a hint of rain in the air, smell of fresh pan cakes baked in the kitchen, and a book by the bedside. I believe that's what the residents of these houses might be enjoying everyday!
The second rainbowand another rainbow - the second one in the Amsterdam
The 3 musketeers3 windmills guarding 3 streets of Zaanse schans on a rainy day
Waging a lonely battleDramatic skies, a lone windmill trying to battle the wind and me tring to get it captured in one single photograph
Clogsthe traditional wooden shoes used by the Amsterdam people sometimes used to decorate walls of cottages as well.